IRISH IMMIGRATION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 116, 16 July 1875, Page 14

IRISH IMMIGRATION.

(To the Editor of the New Zealand Tablet.) fftr 1 ? t £™ g JY mj - - Pen t0 irrite u P° n fchis important subject, I ■hall not attempt to cnticise any of the articles that have appeared in the various 3ournals throughout this colony, but rather give my own views on the question as briefly as possible. In the first place, it is an admitted fact that immigration is at the present time one of the leading questions of the day, and involves the highest interests of all New Zealand colonists. Whatever agreement may be found to exist among the friends of the present immigration policy as to the best means of conducting it— on the subject of the introduction of more Irish into this colony, and the beneficial results that would accrue from their industry if among us,— there does not appear to be that perfect unanimity of opinion which is manifestly desirable at a time when the luccess of a scheme depends entirely upon wise and liberal legislation. The worthless and bigoted cry that in by-gone days served as a postscript to all advertisements for iervants, viz,, "No Irish need apply," does not yet appear to have sunk into oblivion. It it admitted by all, that number, of our worthiest colonists hail from Ireland; notwithstanding that fact, some of our public men in the blindnew and bitterness of sectarian, and party zeal would close the •nores of this colony against any class of immigrants except those ■upplied from certain portions of Great Britain. Thus we find a certain clique, even m this Province (and it is by no means small in number, or uninfluential in character), almost asserting that they are the rulers of the people, and anything done without Iheir knowledge and conient is a gross infringement of, what they consider to be, their just and lawful rights. Unless the Irish can be stamped as bad colonists, why in the name of justice are the necessary steps not taken to encourage them to New Zealand? Are they fond of disturbing the peace of a country ? Are they rebellious and traitorous ? No ! they are peaceful and loyal subjects when justice is meted out to them : they are an industrious and painstaking race, and the " American Eepublic " owes fcer rapid prosperity m a great measure to the enterprise of those Irishmen who quitted the shores of their native land some years ago when oppression was rifest, and when Ireland was in a distracted state. Yes, numbers of true patriots at that time were almost driven from their homes without any fortune, save a resolution to distinguish themselves, and show to the world of what great and noble works natural talent and industry are capable when untrammeled by useless and oppressive laws. Why then, in the face of such facts, does the present Colonial Executive tolerate the dogged blindness of our Agent-General (Dr. Featherston) to the interests of this Colony ? We know, to our loss be it spoken, that he is a paid officer of the General Government, and in common with many in his position attempts at times to usurp the authority of his masters. Plainly speaking, the class of Irish immigrants requisite for this country are practical farmers, with wives and families, and agricultural labourers. If the special settlement system was in operation in Otago as it is in Auckland, monied men, i.e., men possessed of sufficient capital to enable them to commence farming operations on their arrival in our midst— and they are by no means few, in either the North or South of Ireland — would be enticed to relinquish their pre■ent holdings, and cast their lot in a country where greater scope is allowed for honest industry and perseverance. Mr. Vesey Stewart deserves credit for the success which has attended his patriotic efforts to aid his countrymen ; ye I, he has been disgracefully treated, his plans all along have been thwarted by the General Government, his actions grossly misrepresented, and his efforts almost stifled with the cry of " failure ;" but indomitable pluck has at length succeeded against the most strenuous opposition, and the Irishmen of Auckland may well boast of their zealous advocate. It must be acknowledged by all impartial men that the treatment which the Irish people are receiving at the hands pf the New Zealand Government, in the matter of immigration, is altogether disgraceful ; and these prejudices which appear to exist against them as colonists are groundless and unreasonable, and ought not to be allowed to interfere with justice. I trust that in thus expressing myself on this subject I am not actuated by the spirit of mere partisanship, or by any other motive except that which springs from conviction alone. Although, born in the city of Duuedin, I am nevertheless an Irishman at heart, and consider that I am merely doing my duty when I agitate for justice to Erin's Hons and daughters either in New Zealand or elsewhere. — I am, &c., Dunedin, July 12, 1875. F. W. Flanagan.

The Union Pacific Railroad Company were, on the 10th inst., f jeding 1800 emigrants of Omaha, Nebraska, and on that day sent tiro loads of provisions for those at Cheyenne, Daraniie, and beyond. There were 4000 western bound passengers at Omaha, and west to the break, waiting to go through when the water fell. A serious riot took place, April 18, at the opening of some pleasure grounds in the suburbs of Glasgow. A stand, on which, were 1500 people people gave, and precipitated the entire mass to the ground. Thirty persons were injured. The visitors, indignant at the carelessness of the proprietors, destroyed everything on the ground and burned the barricades around them. Poor Monsieur de Villemessant of the ' Figaro ' little expected all the trouble which his imprudence in addressing the bishops •would bring upon his head. The letter of the Bishop of Angiers, was speedily followed by one still more severe from the venerable Archbishop of Aix. AH the papers of Paris, Catholic, Protestant and infidel, have said the severest things about the • Figaro,' and heartily endorsed the opinion of the episcopacy. It is reported that in consequence of this protest of the bishops, M. de Villemes«ant has lost 15,000 subscribers.