THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1906.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7950, 27 January 1906, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 1906.

The immigration returns for 1905 again show the excess of arrivals over departures to be less than last year. During 1904 the oolony gained 10,350 persons; during 1905 only 9,300, while during 1903 the gain was 11,270. The 9,3oopersons, who arrived in the colony last year, do not represent the true permanent gain, as they include tourists. The immigration returns are closed on December 31st, in the middle of the tourist season, and as the tourist business of the colony, particularly from Australia, steadily increases, we have at each New Year a larger number of tourists in the country, thus increasing to an undue extent the nominal increase by excess of immigration, over emigration. It is some comfort to know, says a northern contemporary, that the United Kingdom still contribute* the greater number of our immigrants other than from Australia, and that though the Australian influx is failing under ,the influence

of good seasons, British immigration is more promising. During 1904 we received from the United Kingdom, by excess of arrivals over departures, 2,720 persons, while last year wo received 3,699. Over 1,000 aliens of various nationalities, including 240 Chinese, were also re ceived into the colony. How to encourage British immigration is, of course, the principal problem to be settled. In past years immigration from the British Isles more than quadrupled what it is now. A very desirable class of people come to the colony, but we get too few of them, Canada is doing her utmost to attract British immigration, while Australia is also taking active steps in the same direotion. It, therefore, behoves the Government of New Zealand to take such measures as will prevent this oolony being left behind in the race.

A correspondent who writes over the name of "Resident," replies, in another column, to "Mountaineer's" letter, which we recently published, and urges that the suggestion of the latter "should be acted upon right away." There are, also, other works that might be undertaken with great benefit to the town. The value of the Waipoua River, for instance, for beautifying purposes has scarcely been taken advantage of. It has been suggested to ui by more thaa one Masterton resident that a most enjoyable esplanade could be made along the near bank of the river for some distance both above and below the bridge. The Avon, in Chnstoburoh, is a river that has been utilised witn great advantage to the Cit7 of the Plains, and the Waipoua, although a small stream, is a local "Avon," of which much could be made. , "Resident" complains of lack or patriotism and slowness in the community, but these are rather harsh words, and oartailny not justifiable. What is wanting, chiefly, in regard to the suggestions under discussion is a leader. For instance, there are many persons who take an- interest in such a project as that outlined by "Mountaineer," hut they are slow to move because there is no leader. Will either "Mountaineer" or "Resident," who, no doubt, wishes to be come a mountaineer, lead the way?