The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 1868.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2344, 27 June 1868, Page 2

The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 1868.

We observe that the Provincial Government have iaaued an advertisement, intimating that applications will be received at the Immigration Office from those who are desirous of obtaining assisted passages for their friends or relations. We feel that we cannot too often, or too earnestly, press upon the Government the necessity of using the greatest caution in the selection of immigrants. On the whole, we believe that the immigrants brought into Canterbury have been superior in the main to those introduced into the neighbouring colonieß by their respective Governments, but there is still much to be done in improving the selection, With the reduced numbers which a smaller available revenue will admit of being introduced, it becomes more important, and at the same time less difficult, to ensure this object. Eeport speaks somewhat unfavourably of the acquirements, or, in modern phraseology, the technical skill of many of the Bingie women who have recently arrived, though we have heard few complaints against their character in other respects. A further number are, we believe, expected by the Light Brigade. A constant supply of domestic servants is no doubt of great importance, whether we regard the personal comfort of the wealthier portion of the community, or the maintenance of such a proportion of the sexes as is necessary to the morality, social happiness, and healthy increase of the population generally. We must, however, recollect

that the result of the recent census shews that there is, at the present time, no abnormal inequality of sexes in the province, and we doubt whether, at a time when there is a great demand for domestic servants in the neighbouring provinces, it is judicious to grant free passages, to any great extent, to single women who may, in spite of any precaution which may be adopted, be induced to emigrate to other parts of the colony.

It is difficultto persuade employers of labour in a new country, where there is scanty house accommodation, that their interest will be best served by the importation of growing families. It is a common remark, that you rarely find both husband and wife useful and good immigrants, and there is a natural objection to the encumbrance entailed by a number of children. We think that this objection, which no doubt had great weight in early days, when the transport of provisions and other necessaries was eipensive, should not now weigh against the advantages which accrue from obtaining a guarantee that the labourer we assist to come here will be bound to the soil by the ties of family, as well as of interest, and that he will not, during the " tatereating" period, through which all colonists pass, be led away to some imaginary El Dorado. A further great advantage which accrues from assisting families is, that we avoid, through the influence of parents, the risk of moral contagion, or at least of that temporary unsettling of the mind which is bo often the result of a long voyage. And who shall say how great, among other influences, has been that of his social ties in keeping him from this evil of the world?

Taking the simply commercial view of the subject, the investment in families which will afford, as they grow up, a constant succession of labour, cannot but be the most profit, able in the long run. The funds at the disposal of the province will not admit of a large number being brought out, and we are confident that our best hope of obtaining creditable immigrants is, by assisting ourselves here to promote the introduction of the class to which the advertisement referred to alludes. Farmers, and others in the country districts, might induce labourers to send for their friends. They may obtain and circulate the information which is requisite as to the course to be pursued, and, through their friends in the agricultural districts in England, they might secure to the agent of the Government in London a supply of such men as are wanted.

Among many instructive lessons which we have received in these hard times, that of self-reliance, instead of expecting the Government to do everything for us, is not the least valuable. While we bring all the pressure of public opinion to bear to keep the Government up to its duty, we must ourselves gWe a helping hand in our several Bpherea. We shall then enjoy, none the less, the good honest growl to which all Englishmen are entitled against general mismanagement, and which is the sure sign of a healthy interest in the common welfare.