CORRESPONDENCE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 262, 6 February 1873, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE.

BROGDEN'S CONTRACTS AND IMMIGRANTS. (To the Editor.) Sm, — If there is one thing more than another requires .and demands immediate attention, it is the wholesalo introduction of people into the colony totally unfit to perform the duties required of them. I do not make this assertion without having ascertained the fact from personal observation, neither do 1 charge tho Messrs. Brogdon with the faults that a^c committed in their name by unscrupulous agents, who know that the firm is wealthy and strive to fleece it all they can. It is, therefore, only proper that the public should bo taught to distinguish that many unprincipled things are done by subordinates for the love of gain, which would- not be countenanced by employers. Hence an a^eut is appointed in England on certain terms to procure labor — say so much per head ; and as military qualifications are not enforced, it mailers little or nothing to the agent whether immigrants agreeing to his terms are qualified or not ; so that they represent a certain number, and, in a financial point of view, it docs not affect the interests of the firm, and I will tell you how. In the first place, suppose j the immigrants sent out are incapable of doin£ navvy work, they are good enough to perform lighter duties for less wages, and consequently displace men otherwise employed, thereby creating a monopoly. It is also evident to all reasonable min-ls that many of the newly imported immigrants are the refuse of society, tota ly devoid of good morals, and only fit to disorganize tho labor market. Young boys of sixieen, and old moi, intermixed! with women, who wander through the si reels in a Bemi-intoxic.i;ed state, are not the class of people to introduce into a now country, »vith a view of improving the general condition of society, or of establishing an equilibrium between capital and labor ou just and intelligent grounds. Every one familiar with the industries of New Zealand, is aware how difficult it i? for the, present population to exisi at certain seasons of the year, owing to the want of protection to native industry, and the consequent rinflux (?f foreign manufacture. It must be, therefore, apparent to the more observant that if the vicious policy of introducing the refuse of Europ2an society is persisted in, so as to senously affect the organization of laboi by giving capital au undue ascendancy, results of a most serious nature mx* be anticipated; and why 1 ? becavse the demand for labor in this colony is spasmodic, and at only certain seasons of the year does a deficiency occur. These spurts, after months of inactivity, are labor's reward and just due. Owing to the inclemency of t\e climate, there are certain operatbns which can only be conducted profi,<ibly in the summer, thus rendering nx equitable law of supply and demand impossible, therefore the profit which remits from t! c scarcity of labor in the summer, is only compensative to labor foi the iucreased supply in winter, and a common understanding between capital'and labor will never be arrived at, until labor is acknowledged to be the next great power to nature ; and without which capital would not exist. LaSorand capital have equal rights — uoi in antagonism — but in common with each other. And it is a foolish idea for a person riding in a carriage to forget that money alone could produce it, without the assistance of the artizan. Leaving the question of labor for a future occasion. I will now touch upon tbe impropriety — crime I should s,xj — of allowing the public works of the colony to frill into the hands of English capit tlisis, who have no stake in the country — beyond the immense profits they hope, to vo.ili.so. Colonists borrow money 'and allow foreigners to reap tie benefits arising from its expenditure Certainly such a rotten state of aflahs, only proves the unh'tness of New Zealanders to manage their own affairs ; hence the imperative necessity for some person of distinction to rule over then. But setting aside tho viciousness of al lowing foreigners with large capital, to crush colonial competition, the presence of such power constituting a monopoly, has a tendency to create corruption, where it would not otherwise exist. A belter illustration cannot be offered than the rise ancl fall of the Stafford Minßry. The reckless policy of the Yogel Grovern ruent was a sufficient reason for its downfall, and the hearty raannn* in which an Opposition to Mr. Stafford was organised without an appeal to the country, flavored ■ strongly of brherv and corruption, for ib is scarcely to be supposed that members vofcng against, could so easily be timed in so short a time, unless siperior inducements had been offered tiem. Against the continuance of tie Yogel ministry both ; time and talen\ were employed ; while on tho other hind tho Stafford party were displaced by a few flowery and mythical remarks from Mr. Yogel, who had traveled abroad nearly tho whole of his administration, at a cost to the colony of £8,000, saying nothing of hit arrangements witli English capitaists, in negotiating loans and contnets. AU successful men are liable more or less to suspicion, but I tlink nothing can be move injurious tc the interests of the colony than to permit either Mr.

Yogel or anyone else to exorcise such unlimited power in tbe administration of natural affairs ; besides corruption, without the least doubt, is firmly implanted in the colony, and to mako a show of allowing colonial contractors to compete with Messrs. Bvogclen is only a sham of the most despicable kind. The only remedy for tbe country consists of a chango of representatives, and the election of men who know not " Joseph," and pledged to the following principles : — Ist. That assisted emigration on the present basis is calculated to injure rather than improve the present condition of society. 2nd. That as telegraph communication has been established betweeu the most important part of the country, it is expedient to reduce tho number of Government to three, consisting of one for each island, and a Genei'al Government. " Jl 3rd. Secular and compulsory education. 4th! The establishment of a national bank of issue and deposit. sth. No further sale of public lands. Tho land to be leased by the Government, and held in perpetuity for the poople. 6th. A tax on absentees. 7th. All future contracts to be divided, so as to allow of colonial competition, and no contract to any single individual to exceed the sum of £10,000. Contractors guarantees to be provided on certain terms by the Government insurance ; thus enabling deserving colonists to derive a benefit from the country they have assisted in making. I don't think I need say any more at present, for if these principles were carried out, I think Brogden'a little game would be over. — T am, &c, Bluxderbuss.