HOW SHALL WE INCREASE OUR POPULATION?

Southland Times, Issue 1622, 20 August 1872, Page 3

HOW SHALL WE INCREASE OUR POPULATION?

11. Sib,—lf on the extent and character of our immigration schemes hang all the probabilities of future success or ruinous failure as a Colony, ought not experience to teach us, cautiously to devise, and carefully to weigh every effort ere it is put forth, and spare no pains to accomplish the desired end ? The early pages of sacred history record instances, and point to that system which has ever been the most successful method of colonization, viz., by going forth in bands under an acknowledged leader, with some coherent bond to cement them together. And "what stronger tie than Christian love can bind man to man ? The memories of the past remind us of tbose who fought, bled, suffered, and died for their faith — fled to distant lands or inaccessible fastnesses, there planted their altars, and founded homes, which still exist and bear testimony to the endurance of that tie. Need I remind you of the pilgrim fathers in Massachussetts —the Catholics who settled in the more Southern States of America —the Presbyterians in Otago —the English Churchmen in Canterbury —or, more recently, the Nonconformist settlement at Albertland, in the Province of Auckland—and do we not in many other instances still find this principle Bteadily and persistently working out successes unparalleled by any other agency employed ? Why then should not our religious societies have each their representatives in Great Britain, and begin by forming a staff P * The minister, medical man, and a few of like

faith, would soon draw around them a number sufficient to enable the Colonial agent to provide a ship to convey them to the desired port, where their friends should Bee that a proper locality is set apart speciallv for their use. These companies, forming the nucleus of an inland or coastal township, would bring with them all the social habits of home, perhaps the germ of some future industry. Their churches and Sunday schools would rise around us on every hand, whilst they would leave implanted in the hearts of their friends at home a deep and abiding interest in their future welfare, who would have a watchful eye upon them, rejoice in their success, and be prepared to follow in their turn, assured of a kindly welcome and a fair and hopeful prospect on their arrival. This is the kind of agency that I believe would be most successful. By drawing together those of kindred spirit, you would get the best kind of immigrant at the least possible expense — the most permanent settlers — a larger share of the middle class, with capital, and the meral as well as the muscle of Great Britain. Are these few thoughts worth consideration ? It rests with the people themselves to judge. They only can adopt and carry out such an agency, with any hope of obtaining a suitable and steady accession to our now limited population. How then shall we best prepare to receive them deserves attention. — Yours, &c, X. Y. Biverton, Aug. 6th, 1872.