IMMIGRATION (CORRESPONDENCE IN REGARD TO). Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Leave.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1905 Session I, D-09

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1905. NEW ZEALAND.

IMMIGRATION (CORRESPONDENCE IN REGARD TO). Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Leave.

Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W., 29th May, 1905. OIK) I beg to transmit herewith a statement showing the number of persons who were approved for passages at reduced rates, and who embarked, within the first twelve months (24th March 1904, to 24th March, 1905), during which the extended conditions under which such passages are now granted have been in force. The total number of persons approved during the first twelve months amount to 2,031, and of these 1751 embarked within that period, taking with them declared capital amounting' to £94,711, and £3,396 annual income. Capitalising the annual income amount on a 5 per cent, basis' the total sum of declared capital taken out by these persons was £172,631. There is, however, no doubt that many persons take out with them a larger amount of capital than they name in their applications, so that the actual amount taken out materially exceeds the above-mentioned sum. I may add that, under the previous conditions, extending over a period of eleven years, persons went to the colony, taking with them capital and income equal to £623,450, being an average per annum of 281 persons and £56,677. The amount of capital was verified either by the production of drafts on banks in New Zealand, or by the money being paid into this office, to be repaid by the Treasury to the owners on their arrival in the colony. The income amount was verified by certificates from reliable persons to the effect that the amount of income named by the applicant was assured. In applying for these passages, persons had to fill in and sign a form, per specimen herewith, giving their ages, the state of their health, their occupation, the amount of their capital or income' and the names of those to whom reference might be made as regards the character, &c, of the applicants. The fact that these particulars had to be given, and that each applicant must have means in shape of either capital or income, may be regarded as testifying that the persons applying would in all probability prove to be suitable settlers, thrifty in their habits, and acceptable as additions to the population of the colony. It must not, however, be supposed that persons are approved for these passages simply because they have the capital qualification. I have rejected many applicants because I have considered that they would not make suitable settlers. In order so far as possible to ascertain what was the character and condition of the persons going out under the reduced-rate system, I instituted an inspection of them on their embarkation, and I am glad to say that, with hardly an exception the reports of the inspector have been favourable. There is no doubt that it would have been desirable if a larger proportion of those availing themselves of these passages had belonged to the agricultural class. But at the same time it must be remembered that a large number of those now successfully occupied in New Zealand in farming and other pursuits connected with the cultivation of the land, had little previous agricultural experience. In any case, as has always been the case, the farming class in this country are slow to move, more especially as regards our more distant colonies. Having, however, in view the desirability of encouraging those experienced in agricultural work to go to New Zealand, I have in my cablegram to you of the 26th instant suggested for your consideration that the " capital " qualification for reduced-rate passage be raised to £100 excepting as regards farmers, farm labourers, and others experienced in the cultivation of the land, strong general labourers, female domestic servants, dressmakers, and tailoresses, and that in respect to these classes the " capital" qualification might be reduced to £25. I attach hereto copies of the advertisements and also of the paragraphs which have appeared in a large number of newspapers circulating in the United Kingdom. The paragraphs I may say were inserted without charge. Great care has been taken in the selection of the newspapers in which the advertisements are inserted, and the list has been from time to time revised. I feel sure that, if New Zealand desires to have additional settlers of the right sort, the principle on which this system of reduced fares is founded is the right one. Some of the Australian Colonies are apparently disposed to follow our example, as I have had inquiries from their London offices for information respecting our arrangements for reduced-rate passages, and Western Australia has, I understand, already adopted the system. I have, &c. The Right Hon. the Premier, Wellington, New Zealand. ' W. 'p. Reeves

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Statement of Passages at Eeduced Fares from the 24th March, 1904, to the 23rd March, 1905. Date. Steamers. Souls. Capital. Income. 1904. £ £ March 24 ... ... Tongariro ... ... 4 296 April 8 ... ... Corinthic ... .. 34 2,956 90 21 ... ... Paparoa ... ... 19 1,380 95 May 5 ... ... Gothic ... ... ... 43 3,155 19 ... ... Turakina ... ... 36 2,595 65 June 2 ... ... lonic ... ... ... 76 3,628 395 17 ... ... Euapehu ... ... 32 3,063 20 30 ... ... Athenic ... ... ... 112 4,928 280 July 14 .. ... Papanui... ... ... 37 3,385 89 „ 28 ... ... Kumara... ... ... 42 1,825 130 Aug. 4 ... ... Eimutaka ... ... 15 1,070 70 11 ... ... Tongariro ... ... 89 5,376 1,100 25 ... ... Karamea ... ... 85 3,561 Sept 3 ... ... Wakanui ... ... 5 100 8 ... ... Paparoa ... ... 13 1,435 22 ... ... Corinthic ... ... 232 9,593 * 100 Oct. 1 ... ... Waimate ... ... 5 251 6 ... ... Turakina ■ ... ... 31 1,436 20 ... ... Gothic ... ... ... 114 5,237 181 Nov. 1 ... ... Kaikoura ... ... 5 250 3 ... ... Euapehu ... ... 29 2,515 17 ... ... lonic ... ... ... 179 8,224 473 Dec. 1 ... ... Papanui... ... ... 33 2,176 65 6 ... ... Kaipara ... ... ... 4 550 17 ... ... Mamari ... ... ... 52 2,828 31 ... ... Bimutaka ... ... 47 1,055 1905. Jan. 12 ... ... Athenic ... ... ... 132 11,179, 143 26 ... ... Tongariro ... ... 30 1,120 Feb. 9 ... ... Corinthic ... ... 77 3,663 23 ... ... Turakina ... ... 27 1,463 100 March 9 ... ... Gothic ... ... ... 58 2,208 „ 11 ... ... Nairnshire ... ... 8 100 23 ... ... Euapehu ... ... 46 2,110 1,751 94,711 3,396 . I

The Agent-General for New Zealand. 190 . Sib,— I hereby apply for passages at reduced rates to , New Zealand, and I declare that the particulars which I give below are true, and that I go to New Zealand for the purpose of settling there. I also declare that I have not been in New Zealand at any time during the past three years, and that I am prepared to act in accordance with the conditions given on the back of this form. Signature: Address (in full):

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Ocoupation (if engaged in Amount of Capital or Name. Ages. Health. farming, state where, Income which the applicant References. and how long). is taking to New Zealand. I The following directions are to be carefully observed in filling in this form : —- Column. 1. Full Christian names and surnames of those for whom passages are required must be given. 2. Ages last birthday of those for whom passages are required to be given. 3. If in good health, both physical and mental, the word " Good " should be inserted in this column opposite each name: if otherwise the applicant must give full particulars on this form or in a separate letter. The Agent-General reserves to himself the right of requiring a medical certificate. 4. In this column the occupation of the adult members of the family must be given.

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5. In case the applicant is possessed of an assured income, he should name the amount, and the source whence derived. 6. The applicant must here give references to two or more respectable persons to whom he is well known. This form when filled up and signed must be sent to the Agent-General for New Zealand, 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W. [Back of Form.] Beduced Fakes to New Zealand. The Government of New Zealand, being desirous of reducing the cost of passage for persons possessed of capital, wishing to go to New Zealand, has .made arrangements whereby intending passengers, either married or single, having their applications approved by the Agent-General, can obtain passages at reduced fares in the second or third class, by vessels of the New Zealand Shipping Company, the Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company, and the Federal Steam Navigation Company. The steamers belonging to the companies are large full-powered vessels of the highest class, and are fitted throughout with all modern improvements for contributing to the convenience and comfort of the passengers. An experienced surgeon accompanies each steamer, and a stewardess, in addition to stewards, is in attendance in the second saloon. Passengers booking at reduced fares receive exactly the same liberal treatment on board during the voyage as the passengers who have paid the ordinary fares, and no difference of any description is made either in the berthing or dietary scale. Passengers availing themselves of reduced fares can be booked to any port in New Zealand, and no conditions whatever in regard to occupation or place of residence in the colony are imposed by the New Zealand Government. The only conditions with which the passengers have to comply are, that they must be in good health, having the necessary amount of capital or fixed income, and have their application for reduced fares approved by the Agent-General. Children between three and twelve years of age travelling with their parents are charged halfprice. One child under three years of age in each family is taken free. A quarter-fare is charged for each additional child under three years of age. Allowances for Families boohing at Beduced Bates in the Second Saloon. —Families or members of one family equal to three adults are allowed a further reduction of 5 per cent., and if equal to four or more adults a reduction of 1\ off the total passage-money. Married couples and single persons booking at reduced fares in the second saloon, and requiring two-berths cabins, are charged £5 extra each — i.e., £32 per adult. Third-class Passengers. —All passengers booking at reduced fares in the third class are provided with berths in enclosed cabins. The fares are £12 for a berth in a two-berth cabin, and £10 for a berth in a four-berth cabin. Reduced fares do not apply to passengers wishing to be berthed in the open-berth compartment. Conditions under which Passages to New Zealand at Beduced Bates will be granted. 1. The applicant must be prepared to take with him to the colony an amount of capital equal to £50 for himself and his family (if any), or, as an alternative, must be possessed of a fixed income of such amount as may be deemed sufficient by the Agent-General. 2. The applicant taking capital with him must either deposit with the Agent-General at least a week before the date of embarkation, the amount as before required, such amount being repaid by the New Zealand Government, without deduction, to the depositor upon his arrival in the colony, or it will be necessary for him to produce to the Agent-General before the contract ticket is issued a bank draft payable in New Zealand for the said amount. 3. The applicant must in all respects be approved by the Agent-General, and, subject to such approval and to the above-mentioned conditions, will be entitled to receive a passage to New Zealand by a steamer of either of the above-mentioned companies' lines at the undermentioned rates, and he will in due course receive a notice as to the payment of the passage-money, &c. The question of suitability of any applicant for reduced-rate passage will be decided by the Agent-General. These conditions are liable to revision from time to time. Bates of Passage-money.

Ordinary Rates. Reduced Bates. ! Second-class ... £38 ... ... ... ... £27. Third class ... Berth in four-berth cabin, £19 ... Berth in four-berth cabin, £10. Berth in two-berth cabin, £21 ... Berth in two-berth cablin, £12. I

The ship's outfit (bedding, &c.) will be provided without extra payment. All communications respecting the above to be addressed to The Agent-General for New Zealand, March, 1905. 13, Victoria Street, London, S.W. Approximate Cost of Paper. --Preparation, not given; printing (1,425 copiee), £'i 6s. 6d. By Authority: John Maukay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9os. Price 3d.]

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