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Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 32, 18 February 1875, Page 5

A short time since; we recommended Balclutha as an eligible centre for the establishment of an immigration depot. Of course the suggestion received not the slightest attention at the hands of the proper authorities. Indeed, to such an extent have we as a district, become habituted to neglect of this kind that the place is in a fair way of settling down to it as a matter of course. The Government of the province has a few pet centres, and however prejudicial the result may be as a point of public polic}', these must be bolstered up at all hazard. The Wakatip would seem to be one of these favored spots. At all events, Queenstown has been so far fortunate in securing this kind of patronage; one of these depots having been planted in its midst. Not only that, but the Government it appears will keep forcing labor upon it, despite the fact that its labor roarket is overstocked. In the last issue of the local paper wa read " that the immigrants seem to be going "off very slowly; nearly one half of " the number still remaining unengaged," which signifies that a body of men are being maintained in indolence at the public expense. Now, what is the actual state of affairs in the Clutha district at the present time. For weeks past we have had building tenders advertised in our columns, to which no response whatever can be got, and from inquiries made, we learn that this is due solely to the fact that tradesmen cannot be found. Appeals for labor to reap and stook grain have been equally unsuccessful, despite the fact that 10s, 12s, and 13s and found have been offered. So really pressing has the situation become, that we have it on good authority that it is no uncommon thing, for travellers passing along the highways to be hailed by the settlers, and asked as a favor to direct any men they may come across in search of employment, to their homesteads. Another device resorted to by employers is for public works' contractors to explore the bars of the hotels of a Saturday evening, in the hope of securing any stray labor that may happen to be about. No further gone than last Saturday 15s a clay was offered at one of these places for able-bodied men. We do not mean to say this dearth represents the existing- state of the labor market all the year round. What we wish to show is, that in addition to ordinary requirements, we have large seasonal demands, and that as such the place is favorably sifuated for the location of a labor mart. If the men now wandering idle about the streets of Queenstown had been transported here, instead of remaining a drag upon the province they would have been drafted readily into the industrial ranks of the population, thereby doing . good, for themselves and at the same time relieving a pressing want in the district. Unless' Government is utterly oblivious to the demoralizing tendencies to which . this ill-regulated allocation of immigrants is exposing new arrivals at a critical period of their colonial experience, the matter will be taken in hand without delay, and a re-distribu-tion of the labor depots ordered.