The Southland Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1868.

Southland Times, Issue 1033, 5 October 1868, Page 2

The Southland Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1868.

In a recent issue the effect on the general prosperity of the colony of the introduction of a well considered and well regulated system of immigrat^n of an extensive character waß pointed out The arguments on which the desirability of such an immigration was based referred generally to every branch of colonial industry, as well as to the construction and maintenance of public works of a reproductive character. The result of a public meeting, called to consider the subject of immigration, held in the Winton District a few days since, evinces the conviction of the agriculturalists of that portion of the Province of the necessity of regarding the question specially with respect to agriculture. The subject — in. the conclusion arrived at — is in the opinion of that meeting one upon which the very life of agriculture depends. There is no gainsaying the fact that at the present moment the only settled industry reduced to a system in the province is that of .. agriculture, and as a necessity it follows that to it .only can we look for steady returns. We are compelled to leave out of view, as being outside the question, the large tracts of country occupied as sheep and cattle pastures. These are but incidental to an early stage of any colonial settlement, the conditions of their occupancy carrying with them no elements of development conducing to general prosperity. The occupancy of a country under these conditions, although useful in a degree and for a season, must sooner or later cease.. In this reference to the subject it must be understood that there is no desire to advocate class interests or to set class against class but simply to assert the broad principle, and to advocate that which tends to the realization of the "greatest good for the greatest number." The operations of nature are productive and reproductive, and to abandon that which may be attained and ought to become our own is evidence either of want of means to attain, or of criminal sloth and apathy. The opinion expressed at the meeting at Winton being that of persons interested, and who may be supposed to have well considered the subject, is one entitled to respect. Shortly, that opinion miay be thus stated — that without considerable immigration, agriculturists in the province cannot " hold their own." There is but little doubt,. assuming meetings to be called in the various districts of the province — as it is to be hoped will be the case — that this opinion would be universally endorsed. The difficulty experienced in the late harvest, which long continued severe weather and heavy rains had protracted unusually late in the season — of obtaining help to take advantage of the occasional gleams of .sunshine, or dry days, to gather in. the crop — is yet fresh in the memory of all the farmers; the loss sustained in consequence, in its present and future influence, will prevent its being speedily forgotten. It will be remembered that this" difficulty was increased by the fact that, at that time, nearly all the available labor of the Province was absorbed by the roadmaking then in process. Assuming that the contemplated completion of the railway should be carried out, the same kind,, of cause will be in operation, and afi||fcje\ working hands will be, during the coming harvest, absorbed as before. This much —without any reckoning for contingencies that may arise, or for the necessary demand for ordinary operations— may be safely asserted, that unless an iaflux of population shall take place before the next in-gathering of the crops, agriculi turists may expect that very high prices

of labor will rule attended with great difficulty of obtaining help even at the high rates. In the meantime the usual operations must progress at the present high rate of wages, even though the farmer may be certain that the present prices of produce will not repay the outlay for the simple reason that from a variety of causes, to cease, or to contract, is certain ruin. The attention of the farmers of the Province has hitherto been confined to growth for home supply, the impossibility of competing under our present circumstances in foreign markets has appeared to preclude the idea. There is no reason, either geographical, climatic, or relative to the soil, why competition with other grain producing countries should not be successfully carried on. Southland possesses many natural advantages—yet the fact is that, as yet, not only has she not been able to export her produce, but has hitherto been compelled to import very largely of the necessaries of life. The cause of this is to be found" In tne high price of labor, preventing the efficient employment of capital, and rendering the small holdings, either wholly profitless, or only profitable to a degree insufficient to awaken energy and. induce the desire to extend operations. Illustrations of the evil effect of the scarcity of labor, and its consequent high price might be multiplied, but after all they would but be the repetition of that which has been so repeatedly urged, and which may be summed up in the general assertion that to agriculturists, immigration is all important, it alone will save them from stagnation, nay, from utter ruin. It becomes them then to put their shoulders to the wheel, by combining their voices, to make themselves heard to give public expression to their anxiety, and thus to initiate a movement for the reiriedy of the evil under which they labor. In the Eiverton district contemplated improvements in reference to agriculture and kindred matters are allowed to remain in abeyance from the high price of labor, and the difficulty of obtaining it. The picture presented at Winton is but a reflux of the state of matters elsewhere. The urgency of the necessity demands present attention. It must be remembered that addition to our working population, not only assists in the removal of our present burden, but " counts as added wealth."