ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume I, Issue 20, 2 September 1843, Page 3

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Southern Cross. Sir, — Permit me through the medium of your paper, to offer a few remarks upon the condition and treatment of the unemployed Immigrants. Many of whom have been for months without any employment whatever, and suffering privations for which this Government is alone to be blamed. They are in a land abounding with milk and honey, and yet they are not permitted to taste. It is no comfort to the poor emigrant to know, and to feel that New Zealand is a rich and a fertile country, while ho is not to avail himself of the same. This Government seem to act upon the idea that men can exist in New Zealand without food, at least their treatment of the Immigrants would indicate that such was the case with Mr. Shortland. Though we strongly suspect ho would not like in his own person to make the experiment. It is really hard, Mr. Editor, that we should be both anxious and willing to earn bread, and that we should still, after travelling so far from our native land, be unable to procure the same. Surely the British Government cannot, after inducing us to come to this country, approve of the conduct of Mr. Shortland, in starving ourselves, and our wives and children. We* held a meeting of the unemployed yesterday, for the purpose of petitioning the G overnment. Mr. Rough, the harbour master, on being apprised of this, recommended that thirty of us, whom he himself selected, should wait

upon Mr. Ligar, the surveyor general, who consented to employ nine. A deputation from the rest proceeded to Government House, but could not procure admission to his Excellency's presence. Mr. Connel however, advised them to go again to Mr. Ligar, "they did so, and this gentleman refused to engage any more. So, Mr. Editor, we are driven about from office to office, tantalised with the promise of bread, but none is given. The emigrants have now no alternative, but to seek public charity ; and if this is withheld, there is only one other resource, which men in extremity are justified in adopting ; they must take, if they will not get. Hoping you will insert this warning, I am yours, &c, A Starving Immigrant. August 30, ,1843. [We do not know what can impress the heart of Mr. Shortland, unless the Immigrants proceed daily in a body to his house, or office to seek bread. lie is the richest man in the place, gets the largest share of the public money, and he should be made to rcliove their wants, either publicly or privately. — Ed.]