The Lyttelton Times

Lyttelton Times, Volume III, Issue 130, 2 July 1853, Page 6

The Lyttelton Times

July 2,1853. We beg to direct especial attention to an advertisement which appears in our columns of this day on the subject of the introduction of Chinese labour into New Zealand. Considering the fact that many labourers

have been, attracted to the Australian Gold Fields by the prospect held out of realizing rapid fortunes; that many of those that remain have already placed themselves in the position of employers of labour, and that the rest are daily raising themselves to a similar independent state ; considering that the settlers who now arrive from England with capital are not accompanied by labourers to work for them; and that the demand for our agricultural produce, and the increase of our flocks and herds, necessitate a corresponding augmentation oflabour; considering all these facts, it is evident that the question of obtaining a renewed supply is urgent and pressing. It is not only that pur means of production would be greatly facilitated

thereby, but the fact stares us in the face, that unless immediate steps be taken to replace what we have lost, there remains the inevitable result of our productive operations coming to a stand-still. We cannot expect any extensive immigration from England, nor yet from Australia; for it is not likely that people will leave the latter country until they have realized competencies and become, in fact, employers of labour. Our only resource, therefore, seems to be in that ancient country which is now discharging its pent-up hordes on the islands of the Indian Sea, and even on the shores of Car lifornia ; and who seem j destined, along with the Anglo-Saxon race, to supply the numerous islands of the Southern Pacific and the immense wastes of Australia with labour. It is believed that Chinese servants froni the northern parts of China, carefully selected by responsible agents —not the scum of the streets of Canton, such as those takeii to Australia have chiefly beeu—would an r swer our purpose, provided we treated them with humanity and consideration, and strictly adhered to the terms of our contracts with them. They are known to be hard-working, industrious men, admirably adapted for every species of labour, and peculiarly qualified, from natural disposition, to adapt themselves to anything. As tendei's of flocks, as agriculturists,'as domestic ser r vants, they would be of inestimable benefit to the colony, now that assisted immigration has ceased, and colonising bodies devoted to our service no longer exist in England.

Of the various objections that may be urged against the project, we will anticipate but one ; viz., that the working classes might consider that the introduction of the Chinese would tend to their injury by reducing the price of labour. "We have no such apprehensions. If large bodies of Chinese arrive, English labourers, from their superior intelligence and practical ability, would become overseers; and, besides, most of the really deserving workingmen are now, or soon will be, iv a position to employ labour on their own account. It is both desirable and proper that this should be so. Their chief inducement to emigrate was the prospect of a future mde 7 pendence, and upon an adequate supply of labour depends the realization of that expectation. We apprehend, therefore, that though at first the idea may be discountenanced, yet it soon will be entertained with favour, and regarded as absolutely necessary to meet the pressing requirements of the Settlement.

In connection with 'this subject there is a**.other which irresistably forces itself upon our' minds ; we mean the prospect it holds out of establishing a direct trade between

New Zealand and China. We need not "enlarge upon the immense benefits that would-ensue from such a result. Hitherto New Zealand has depended upon Sydney for a supply of such necessaries as tea, sugar, rice, and other commodities which enter largely into consumption, the supply of which is not only uncertain and precarious, but, generally speaking, execrably bad. We are compelled to put up with the refuse of the Sydney markets —the minimum of value combined with the maximum .of price. Should the plan of obtaining Chinese labour be entertained by the Colonists (of which we have little doubt, for already several applications have been sent to Messrs. Cookson and Co.), we are given to understand that the "Hampshire" will be chartered for the purpose, and that, in all probability, she would touch at Lyttelton first and land the propertiomof labourers that may be applied for from hence, as also a. valuable cargo of Chinese productions. The voyage would occupy about 5 months, so that at the commencement of 1854, we plight reasonably expect to see the " Hampshire " once more in our harbour, freighted with labour and goods. It remains with the colonists to realize this desideratum. The project is favourably viewed at Wellington, and it only requires our co-opera-tion and sanction to be at once carried out. In the meanwhile our thanks are due to those gentlemen to whose spirit and enter-. prise Aye may be indebted for opening a direct trade between the Celestials and ourselves.

The proceedings at Akaroa at the sitting of the Magistrates to hear objections to votes, are of so remarkable a nature as to -demand public attention. The Commissioner of Crown Lands of the district is, as is well known, a Candidate for the office of Superintendent. He has lately resided at Akaroa, and has been actively engaged in canvassing votes there. We are informed on authority which cannot be questioned, that he solicited the votes of all the resident electors who claim the privilege under titles conferred by the Canterbury Association. We believe that in all instances he was refused. The Commissioner has recently been engaged in a controversy with the Association touching the rights of the Crown and the Association over lands at Akaroa ; but we do not now concern ourselves with the merits of that question. In exercise of the powers of his office the Commisioner obtained certain information which led him to dispute the title of the Association's grantees ; armed with which the disappointed Candidate turns round on the recusant electors and objects to their votes on the plea of their supposed defective title. Such is the first stage of this most extraordinary proceeding. The sequel is still more extraordinary. . The time.for hearing objections arrives. The Commissioner's objections are to be heard and judicially decided by a Bench of Magistrates. Thursday and Friday week last were the appointed days. We doubt whether our readers will credit the statement which we should hesitate to make except upon most indisputable authority, viz., that the Commissioner—the Candidate —the Objector himself—takes his seat on the Bench, and, in defiance of protests from his Brother Magistrates and the electors objected to, insists on hearing and- deciding on his own objections. The Resident Magistrate, Mr. Watson, and Mr. Gouland, the Collector of Customs, remonstrate in vain ; the Commissioner persists in recording his vote in favour of his objections. We are told further that this is the first occasion that the Commissioner has ever acted as a Magistrate ; Aye have indeed heard doubts expressed Avhether he has ever

taken the oaths of office. But that would be a minor offence punishable only with a pecuniary mulct. If the facts should turn out as we have stated them—and we state them on no slight grounds—of course the matter cannot rest here. The Colony would be indeed fallen into a degraded state if such occurrences can take place without being duly visited. They will of course be represented to the Colonial Government; we hope to the Home Government also. The Duke of Newcastle is not likely to permit the authority of the Crown to be so compromised ; indeed, we have not so altogether lost confidence in Sir George Grey as to doubt that he will take steps to remove a stigma which must otherwise rest on his own Government. In England, a public officer so conducting himself would be immediately removed from the Bench where his presence must tend to destroy all confidence in- the administration of justice ; and from an office of trust and importance the secrets of which he makes use of to suit his electioneering purposes. We shall await with deep interest the notice taken of these proceedings by his Excellency.

A meeting of members and 'intending members of the Lyttelton Colonists' Society Avas held on Wednesday evening Avhich, notwithstanding the unpropitious Aveather, was very numerousl y attended. Several of the rules Avere altered, and it was unanimously decided that in future the subscription to the Reading Room and Library, Avith the privilege of taking home books, be 10s. per annum; to the Reading Room only, 4s. A meeting was appointed for next Wednesday of the old Committee to audit accounts, &c, and to receive the nominations of officers for the ensuing year. The officers consist of Chairman, Secretary, vice-Chairman, and eighteen committeemen ; to Avhich posts all the members of the Society are eligible; five to form a quorum, to meet the first Wednesday of every month, at 6 p.m., for the transaction of all necessary business. Should we have space Aye will publish the rules at length in our next. On Wednesday Aveek, the 13th instant, a general Meeting will be held, Avhen the voting papers will be examined, and the proper officers appointed for the year. The meeting passed off in a most satisfactory manner, and before it broke up thirty members Avere enrolled by the Secretary, Mr. Alport. We trust that this auspicuous commencement of the second year of the Society's existence will be heartily carried * out by our felloAV-toAvns-men, for upon the support given will depend the" objects of the Society being extended to the purchase in England of the current literature of the day, such as Reviews, Magazines, &c. There is no reason whatever Avhy the Society should not become the nucleus of a public library for the town. A new Lodge of the Independent Order of the Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows was opened on Monday evening last, the 27th ult., at the White Hart Inn, Christchurch, by the officers of the City of Norwich Lodge, Lyttelton. After the business of the Order Avas concluded, aboA^e thirty members sat down to an excellent dinner provided by the Host, Mr. Hart; the N.G., Mr. Rowland Davis, in the Chair. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been given, the Chairman, in proposing the health of the Grand Master and Board of Directors of the Manchester Unit}', entered into a pleasing description of the condition and prospects of the Order both in Europe and America, ancL alluded to the vast increase in their members and wealth, the funds being chiefly devoted to the praiseAvorthy purpose of relieving sick and distressed members. The party did not break up until a late hour, after spending one.of

the most happy evenings that have yet taken place in the Canterbury district. His Excellency has invested Mr. W. G. Brittan with the power of selling the WasteLands within the Canterbury Block, now that the Government has informed the Association that their power over them is determined. Until we have some information respecting the " formal instrument necessary to effect this determination," the appointment can be regarded only 4is a barren compliment. If His Excellency is sincerely desirous of learning the " wishes of the Colonists regarding the system upon which they would desire the lands should be disposed of," let him- convene the Provincial and General Assemblies, and he will soon learn what we want.. We hope the Colonists will treat with contempt his offer " to make regulations," and not fall into the snare laid for them to have the power abstracted from them. His Excellency has thrown all the Settlements into commotion by his Land Proclamation, and now seems desirous of creating further dissensions by the hypocritical pretence of serving us. Let him honestly and sincerely carry out the intentions of the Imperial Parliament, and this much vexed question would soon be settled. We want to govern ourselves and to decide for ourselves, and not to be humbugged by offers of assistance we do not require. In the Melbourne Argus of the 26th May. the Steam-ship Cleopatra, 1800 tons, and 300 horse power, is advertised to sail, on the 28th July, from |Sydney for London, calling at Wellington, Rio Janeiro, and Madeira. The Cleopatra is described as the fastest steamer in the Colonies. The rates of passage are, not including wines and spirits, chief saloon and cabin 100 guineas, 2nd 60, 3rd 40. Beds, bedding, linen, &c, provided, except for the 3rd cabin. Music on board, and an experienced surgeon. •WELLINGTON. By the " Wellington " we have Wellington papers to the llth ult. Other more favoured individuals have received files to the 18th, a week later, and therefore we have again to complain of irregularity and non-transmission. To a former complaint on this head, the Independent remarked that the fault did not rest with their office, as the papers were always duly posted; the negligence lies therefore with thb Post Office, and we are subjected to great inconvenience in consequence. Sir George Grey returned from Auckland on the Ist June, and a general rumour prevails that he intends returning shortly and will make it the seat of Government. We cannot think that his Excellency will do this ; should it prove so, we shall be to all effectual purposes cut off from the seat of Government, and might be infinitely easier communicated with from Sydney. We are persuaded that if this be intended, a warm protest will be made by the Southern Provinces, and that none of their members will attend the General Assembly should it be called together in the North. We can regard such an intention i:_ no other light than an attempt to render the Assembly, should there be any intention to convene it, a mere meeting of Northern vassals under the thumb of his Excellency and prepared to do his bidding. Mr. Gibbon Wakefield has delivered a long address to the Hutt electors on the Land question. A careful perusal leaves us as much in the dark as ever respecting his opinion what the " sufficient price" is. He says that he is not to be entrapped into giving an opinion and leaves it to his auditors to find out. A meeting has been held on the subject, of steam communication between the Settlements, and|a gentleman purporting torepreisent Willis and Co.. announced that that jfiri-i intend to send out two steamers.