OUR IMMIGRANTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 250, 19 October 1904, Page 4

OUR IMMIGRANTS.

When the vote for assistance to immigration came before' Parliament in November last there was a good deal of opposition to the Premier's proposals. Mr Seddon had suggested that the' sum of £4000 be voted to be employed by the Agent - General in assisting eniigrauts to New Zealand. It was explained that if the sum of £6 per head was paid by Government towards passage money, the shipping companies would reduce the fare to New Zealand to nearly one-half, and-would also reduce freights for the new settlers. Precautions were to be taken not only to prevent an influx of "undesirables," but to make certain that each of the immigrants should be possessed of at least £50 on landing. The Premier was of the opinion that the comparatively unsettled condition of the country and the need for an increase of population of the right stamp fully justified -the vote, and that it was better to encourage British immigrants than aliens. As to the necessity for introducing more labour into the country, the House was divided; but it is noticeable ' that the country members were largely of the opinion that we could ■well afford to import farm labour and country settlers, so long as they were not afraid to work. Ultimately the vote was passed by 35 to 13, and the effect is seen in to-day's cable as to the increased immigration to this colony within the current year. The AgentGeueral has despatched to New Zealand 1320 persons in seven and a-lialf months, or four times the number sent during the corresponding period in the previous year. If these have been well selected, and the conditions laid down ■by Government have been carefully observed, the immigrants should be a valuable addition to our rural population. We may assume that they possess the aioount of money fixed by the Department as a necessary qualification; and the chief object of Government should be to get them into the country as quickly as possible. The history of this colony has shown that settlers who will face the comparative hardships and the isolation of country life here, and can resist the attractions of our overcrowded cities, can be certain of making a living under very favourable conditions. We presume from the.terms offered by the Agent - General that these immigrants are mostly of a class that will supply ordinary day labour in our country districts rather than enter into competition with those already anxious to take up land on their own account. But so long as the now immigrants are men and women able and. willing to work and to live in the country—in short, if they resemble in any way the class of settlers who in the early days laid the foundations of progress and prosperity for this colony—the money voted for this purpose will turn out a very valuable investment for New Zealand.