ASSISTED IMMIGRATION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 89, 23 October 1869, Page 3

ASSISTED IMMIGRATION.

(To the Editor of the Tuapelca Times.)

Sib, — In your last issue you Sneer at the "shreik" raised by assisted immigrants when called upon to pay up a sum they never agreed to pay. I cannot coincide with your remarks, and, as a pretty conclusive proof of the injustice perpetrated by a needy Government, subjoin a clipping from the Edinburgh. "Scotsman," of July 31st, 1889. The extract is taken from an advertisement headed Emigration to Otarro, and is signed by George \ Andrew, G-overntnent Agent — " There is at present an Extraordinary demand—especially in Town— for DOMESTIC SERVANTS, as also for SHEPHERDS, PLOTJOHMEN, and AGRICULTURAL LABOUEERS." To thee classes, the Home Agent is prepared to grant ASSISTED PASSAGES on the following favourable terms, viz. :— Approved-of Emigrants, by "paying £7 in t7iis Country, are landed Free at Otajo. without any obligation whatever for repayment of the balance of Passage Money, while tlwsc who cannot pay tliat sum before sai T iti<j get, in special circumstances, a portion of the amount adraicd. to be repaid Six Months after arrival in the Ojlorty — Single Women who require such aisi'tance getting as much as £6 of the £7 advanced in ihit way. The italics in the above are not mine, but Mr Andrews. I wonder how many people in this province aro aware of the kidnapping artifices used by agents at home with the intention of lowering the price of labour for the benefit of a few squatters and Taieri cockatoos. In my humble opinion ifc is the duty of everyone, who lias connections at home, to send letters exposing the artifices of tho Government agents. Let the unfortunates, who are inclined to close with the attractive offers of Mr. Andrews, learn that tbey will have to pay dearly for his services after their arrival in Otago. Tn short, tell them Ofago ;s; s not a South Sea Parruli-o, b'lt apooJ onr.ugli country, saJlv i-ti go»'prno.l, and wry much overpeopled, eonMderniz the amount^ of capital, invested in v.—l am &c., " A^ii-HfriißtiG-,