IMMIGRATION.

Southland Times, Issue 962, 3 June 1868, Page 5

IMMIGRATION.

(TO THE EDITOB OF THE SOITTHIAND TIMES)

Sir, — The motion, in a recent sitting of thß Provincial Council, for the encouragement of immigration into this province by the inducement of grants of land was it will be remembered withdrawn by the mover after considerable discussion. The weight of opinions appeared to be that no additional stimulus was needed to induce a tide of immigration commensurate with the present wants and probable future requirements of the province. The admitted capabilities of Southland in the fertility of the soil, and its general adaptation to the pursuits of both pastoral and agricultural industry would it was asserted in proper time exert their influences, and cause an influx of the class of men whom it was most desirable to have settled amongst us. Against the plan proposed an argument was employed, based on its unfairness to those who, having paid their passage out had become purchasers of land in the province. A further objection was founded on the difficulty of appropriating land for this purpose of such quality, and in such a situation as that it should be really valuable to the grantee, and at the same time to avoid fencing in its occupancy by harrassing restrictions. The necessity of ensuring occupancy and improvement was generally admitted, but the conviction of this necessity cculd not be entertained without almost inevitably leading to the conclusion that in some cases the restrictions imposed with the grant might make it a positive injury instead of a blessing. The subject has grave difficulties connected with it, and requires carefully handling. It is an old saying that " Good wine needs no bush " or in other words a good article is its own advertisement. This is however only true under certain circumstances, inasmuch as there may be no possibility of persons who may be anxious to avail themselves of certain advantages becoming acquainted with their existence except through the medium of an advertisement. In one way or other the capabilities of a district or province let them be ever so good must be made public before they will be extensively availed of. The discussion on this subject will not have been without its effect, because by it the facts will have been made known that an extensive immigration hither is needed by ourselves, and that the field in which we propose to employ the labor we seek to introduce is one which has the reasonable promise of yielding a good return. Taking a broad view of the question, it is not a matter of regret that the proposal 1 o grant land to immigrants by way of inducement, or as a kind of return of passage money, has been for the present shelved. Thd fair way of dealing with the matter is to regard it apart from any considerations of special inducement, and to endeavor to ascertain the legitimate attractions of the province as a settlement. When these are fully understood, there can exkt no doubt as to the result. Those of us who have been a few years resident have felt, and still feel, our attachment to the province continually increasing, and our confidence in it as the future home of our children increases in equal ratio. The province contains in itself all the elements of future prosperity. The breadth of its agricultural area, and the absence of difficulties in its preparation for the purposes of husbandry beyond those which are necessarily to be met with in any newly settled country, renders it a most eligible field for immigrants whose tendencies are in this direction. The productiveness of the soil and the generally genial climate form important considerations in making up the estimate, and, while admitting the comparative failure of the harvest in the late thoroughly exceptional summer season, it may be assumed from the returns which have reached us from neighboring colonies that even this exceptional year will not only bear comparison, but show favorably by contrast with other districts. The forests of timber of kinds adapted for all the purposes for which timber is required, are of an extent and capability to meet the necessities of a densely populated region, and with an increase of population must open up an important and highly remunerative branch of industry. The proved existence of coal in a locality easily accessible is a fact in the history of the province, the discovery of which will in all probability have a greater influence for good upon the future of the province than that of almost any other natural advantage. In the existing railroad, and the promise of its speedy extension, a guarantee exists for speedy and cheap communication between the port and the interior. The distance of road already constructed and now in good travelling repair, with the works at present in progress, furnish an additional assurance to the settler that the means either already exists or will not long be delayed for the transit of his produce from even the most remote locality to the market. The position of the province on the ocean highway is another important element affecting the future of Southland, and is one of which the advantage cannot be over estimated. The present abundance of employment, and the remunerative rate paid for the same, is a consideration which only incidentally affects the matter as indicating present prosperity. On the broad principle of containing within herself all the- requisites for the reception and maintenance of a large population with all the indications of their ultimate prosperity, the position of Southland has but to become known to ensure to her a full share of the tide of immigration, being all she needs to enable her to j rerlise all that Providence has placed ( within her reach. — Yours, &c,

Obsebyeb. Invercargi]], May 29, 1868.

(to the editor of the southland times.)

Sie — I was very much pleased to see that the necessity of immigration to this province has engaged your leading columns, as it is calculated to draw attention to the consideration of the question in a practical point of view. I say a practical point of view, because you may propound questions on nearly every subject of social interest, bearing all the appearances of success, but when they .come to be examined, and are subject to the test oilonafide utility, then it -very often occurs that the foundation upon which rested the advocacy of the particular measure is essentially theoretical, and consequently loses the weight that would otherwise be accorded to it. If I understand aright, the arguments in favor of immigration are based upon the assumption that, having such a large quantity of waste Crown lands at our disposal, by devoting a portion of them exclusively for immigration purposes, it follows as a natural consequence, that the remainder becomes of greater value, from the demand consequent upon increased settlement.

I remember, whilst in Victoria some years since, the subject of immigration was the t all-important question; under consideration, and it evoked- a considerable amount of opposition from the more unthinking portion of the population. But why did it do so ? Simply because a number of designing individuals, who pretended to have the interest of the working class at heart, by the use of hypocritical misstatements, so cajoled and blinded them that, if it was not for the firmness of the Government, and the good sense of the community at large, immigration would have ceased, and the prosperity of that magnificent colony would have received a severe check.

I have digressed somewhat from the primary subject, to demonstrate the fact that the broad principle of bringing out people from home met with considerable opposition in another colony, in orderthat we, who are acquainted with the immense progressive strides made by Victoria, resulting from a steady and constant stream of immigration, aiay not fall into the same error .by opposing a scheme which, if carried into effect, will be the means of conferring incalculable good upon the future prospects of Southland. We are undertaking the construction of railways ; we are making roads of considerable extent ; we are performing all the functions of a high state civilisation, and for what? for the safety and convenience of a few thousand people, who are thereby taxed for all this advancement; but if, by the introduction of immigrants, we increase our material prosperity, we both lessen the burden by spreading it over a larger number, and we utilise our public works by constantly using them for the benefits they were intended to confer on a numerous population, and thus obtain a return of the money expended on their construction. — Apologising for the length of my remarks — I remain, Sir, your's, &c, Citizen.

Invercargill, May 25, 1868,