The Westport Times. AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 1871.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 823, 10 June 1871, Page 2

The Westport Times. AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 1871.

As the introduction of immigrants is one of the great features of the policy of the Fox Ministry, reference to the progress made hy the colony during past years in the direction of immigration may not he uninteresting. Commencing with the year 1858, when the census was taken, we find that the total population of the Colony numbered 59,413, exclusivo of aboriginal natives. The returns for that year aro of importance, as showing the population prior to the discovery of gold. Between ]BSB and 1861 the industry of gold mining was introduced in the Province of Otago, and gave a wonderful impetus to immigration, the population of the colony then reaching 99,021, while in the Province of Otago alone the population increased from 7,000 to 27,000, notwithstanding the secession of the Province of Southland which then took place. In 1864 the census returns gave a total of 172,158, and in 1867 the numbers were 218,668, the increase being chiefly noticeable in the Provinces of Canterbury and Nelson, in consequence of the gold discoveries on the Weßt Coast. At the present time the European population probably does not exceed 260,000. It will be seen that the population ia 1858, after twenty years' colonization, numbered only 60,000, and that there has been an increase of 200,000 since the discovery of gold. What proportion of this 200,000 has been due directly and indirectly to the mining industry can only be approxi-

mately estimated, but we think it is uo exaggerated computation to state that only one fourth of this incroasc is duo to births and the ordinary immigration to the agricultural and pastoral districts, and that during tho last ten years fully 150,000 persons have been induced by the single attraction of gold mining to settle in the colony. A writer in the Nelson *' Examiner," instituting a comparison between the immigration to .New Zealand and that to other countries, says; —" During those same thirty years the United States have had over 10,000,000 immigrants settled in their midst. What is now known as the Dominion of Canada has, during tho same period, had over 2,000,000 ; Brazil Africa has had over 400,000 ; Algeria, more than 200,000; Australia, about 1,000,000; and other of the immigration fields of tho European races equally large number of immigrants." Of these countries comparison may be most properly drawn between the Australian Colonies and New Zealand. Looking over the census returns from 1853 to 1867 inclusive, we find during those years a total immigration of 218,360 persons. A largo majority of this number is furnished by the Australian colonies, which figure for 125.395 ; Ifrom the United Kingdom there arrived 85,743 immigrants, and 4228 from other countries. Tbe emigration, during the same period, numbered 80,518, distributed as follows : Australia, 70,899; United Kingdom, 4221; other countries, 5398. During the fifteen years the excess of immigration over emigration may be approximately set down at 140,000. It will thus appear that, whilo in the United Kingdom Australia is a favoured field for emigration, no fewer than 128,000 persons left the neighbouring colonies for New Zealand during the period referred to. But of this number, in the year ISG7, only 48,000 remained in the Colony. Tho returns for the United Kingdom are more favourable, since while the arrivals numbered 85,743, the departures were only 4221. The emigration returns from this country to Australia include, doubtless, a considerable number who would proceed thence immediately to Europe, and numbers also who were attracted by the gold discoveries in Queensland. Making allowance for these, however, the fact still remains that while New Zealand offers considerable attractions to a population owing to her valuable goldfields, Australia is nevertheless preferred as a field for permanent settlement. We find that twelve persons emigrated from Europe to Australia for every one that selected New Zealand as his home, and two-thirds of those who arrived from Australia returned there after a short stay in this Colony. The question necessarily arises, what is the cause of the immigrant keeping from our shores, and this reflux of population to Australia. Is it the unsuitablencss of climato or tho sterility of our soil ? Facts prove otherwise. Any one who visits the different provinces will find that the farmer and grazier can raise produce in abundance. Grain, meal, or dairy produce are not alone raised in sufficient quantities to supply the wants of the Colony, but form a considerable item of export to the neighbouring colonies. The difficulty lies not in raising crops but in finding consumers for the produce. Neither is the native difficulty directly in itself a sufficient reason for the failure of our efforts at immigration. The presence of a Maori population has formed no bar to an extensive influx of people to the northern goldfields, neither has its absence in the Middle Island led to the settlement of a considerable population in the Southern Provinces. The chief cause is the enormous indebtedness of the Colony in proportion to its population, and the large taxation necessary to meet interest and sinking fuud, and the requirements of an absurdly expensive administration. The writer previously referred to pertinently asks—Can this additional taxation be borne by the colonists in these islands ? Are they not already taxed higher than any other people in the world ? Are the taxes not no *• more than they can struggle under? Is not taxation now keeping away all capitalists? Are not all persons who are not quite .ruined talking about realising and going away ? He affirms that the real cause of anv country attracting a large number of immigrants is Jits attractiveness to those already there as colonists, who, themselves progressing and making money, and seeing all about them |

doing the same, wish their friends and relatives to share their fortune, and urge their coming to a place where they have found much that pleases them. When colonists happen to bo men of energy, money, or position, their friends soon join them, and take out at the samo time the necessary workmen and servants to carry out their several enterprises or industries. Thus capitalists and men of technical skill are attracted to the Colony, where they are employed with profit to themselves and benefit to the their choice.