The Dunstan Times FRIDAY, 30th NOVEMBER, 1866.

Dunstan Times, Issue 240, 30 November 1866, Page 2

The Dunstan Times

FRIDAY, 30th NOVEMBER, 1866.

‘Beneath the rale of men entirely just, the pen is mightier than the sword!”

Nothing appears to have given more satisfaction to the country, more especially to that portion which comprises the goldfields, than Mr Vogel's movement iu the Provincial Council, on the question of encouragement to i mmigration. The subject is one which affecta the very vitals of the country; for, verily, we are languishing for population. Almost every branch of industry may be said to be in a crippled state, not that the industry itself is unhealthy; but, that willing hands to i work are almost unobtainable. We don't mean to argue that thsra are no men out of employment, because, there exists a large class of individuals whose services would be dear at any price, and whom nobody

would hire except in the last extremity; but, we can safely assert that really good men who would do a fair day's work for a fair day's wage, ai-e exceedingly scarce and eagerly sought after. In the present circumstances' of'Otago, there is a wide field for either the labourer or the employer of labour, and the introduction of a properly adjusted balance of both, would confer inestimable benefits upon all classes. The resources of the Province are but very imperfectly developed as yet, mining may be said to have been confined to a mere scratching of the surface of the earth, and the mineral wealth almost remains untouched, and must do so till an increased population places the relations between labour and capital on a more equitable footing than at present. It is an undisputed fact, that the high rates of wages renders almost any speculation, where hand labour forms the basis of produc tion unprofitable, both profits and principal being wholly absorbed. A remedy for existing evils can only be found in immigration, population is the acknowleged wealth of nations, but it, nevertheless, must have scope for employment, or society becomes disorganised. We want producers and consumers in equal proportions, when it will be found that the benefit will be mutual to both employer and employed. The rate 3of wages will, no doubt, be considerably reduced, but, as the cost of living will be reduced also, and employmenfof a less 'desultory character than at present, the labourer in the end will be really in a much better position. Mr Vogel's colonial experience will, no doubt, point out the necessity of affording every facility for new comers settling upon_the,soil, or the money spent in introducing emigrants will be thrown away, for our part, we have sufficient confidence in the new Treasurer to arrive at the conclusion that he is not the man to undertake any suhemo without having well considered its result.