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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4123, 8 June 1874, Page 2

The comparative table Blowing tho present population of the Provinco of Nelson is an exceedingly suggestivo return, especially in regard to tho class of immigrants required and the mode of their distribution. It would appear that, in Nelson City itsolf, any addition to tho femalo population is altogether unnecessary, whilo in tho rural parts of the Provinco there would be proprioty in equalising the sexes, there being, perhaps, no part of tho Colony where tho numbers aro more disproportionate For instance, wo find that in Nelson City the females aro in excess, tho numbers boing—2772 males and 2880 femalos. The causo of this is, no doubt, to bo found in tho disposition

of the young men of the city to betake themselves to the goldfields of the Province or- to other parts of the Colony where there is greater demand for their labor, of whatever description that may be, and, wo fear, intheindisposition on the part of the young women to betake themselves to the humbler employments, such as that of domestic servants, which arc so amply remunerated in other places that are within easy reach. The question for consideration is whether under the circumstances it would bo at all prudent to bring female immigrants to Nelson, where opportunities for their employment cannot certainly bo abundant. Even in the suburban districts there certainly cannot be much demand for that particular class of immigrant, for the numbers of either sex, though not equal, or as they are in the city, are somewhat evenly proportioned, iiitho immediate suburbs the numbers are—9os males and 937 females : in tho Waimcas 1240 to 918 : and in Motueka 1437 to 1330. That the demand made fcr female immigration to other parts of tho Province is fully justified is, however, only too strongly illustrated by the contents of this comparative table, and especially may this bo snid to bo tho case as regards the goldfields, where complaints as to paucity of female population are most frequently made. In tho Nelson portion of tho Grey goldfield the distribution is—249o males, and only 757 females ; on the Buller goldfield, 3404 males and 1502 females ; and in the pastoral district of Cheviot, 304 of tho the rougher sex enjoy the society of only 91 of tho fair. To equalise the numbers where equality is desirable —such as on tho goldfields—an influx of female immigrants would apparently bo opportune at any moment, as lias been represented, but still there remains the anomaly that, within the boundaries of a single Province there should be localities whore, from a colonial point of view, tho female population is excessive, and others where, even from tho samo point of view, the female population is exceptionally small. A system of emigration limited to the boundaries of the Province should be sufficient to solve the difficulty, unless it is that tho amenities of life in Nelson City are such that no guaranteo of well-paid employment, or the temptation of matrimonial alliance with the industrious or lucky digger, will induco its spinsters to quit their humble, happy homos.