IMMIGRATION IN TARANAKI.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4143, 1 July 1874, Page 3

IMMIGRATION IN TARANAKI.

At New Plymouth, on the 25 th ult., a soiree was given in the Oddfellows’ Hall to Mr. and Mrs. Burton, previous to their departure for England, whither Mr. Burton proceeds to promote emigration to the Province of Taranaki. Lengthy reports of the proceedings appear in the local papers, from which we quote. The soiree, at which there were about six hundred persons present, was got up at the instigation of the members of the Lodges of Good Templars, with which Mr. and Mrs. Burton have been connected since the Order was first started here. His Honor Judge Kenny took the chair. Amongst those present were the members of the Provincial Executive, two of the members of the House of Eepresentativcs, most of tho members of tho Provincial Council, besides several other gentlemen who take a leading position in the Province. His Honor the Superintendent was unavoidably absent, and sent an apology. Major Atkinson, having apologised for tho absence of His Honor the Superintendent, said that those acquainted with the past history of the Province of Taranaki knew that the settlers had been so cramped in tho place, and for such a length of time, that they had become sleepy and careless of the interests of the Province, and so firm a hold had this indolence taken upon them, that it had been the custom of other Provinces to represent them as perfectly contented with eating, drinking, and sleeping. They had hitherto merely “stood still and waitedin short, those beautiful lines of Milton might be applied to their case with striking precision—

“ They also aorvo who only stand and wait.” Their standing and waiting had given an advantage to other parts of the Colony, but there wore signs abroad which made it clear to every inquiring mind that such a state of things must come to an end, and now they were called upon to bo up and doing. There were two or three things to which ho wished to draw their attention, as they were facts which unmistakably proved that they were about to shake off tho past lethargy and proceed in a totally different manner than they had been doing during tho past ton years. First, then, there was tho fact that GoodT'etnplarium had gained a strong footing in tho Xh-ovinco among all classes of society, which was fully testified by tho assemblage which ho had the honor of

addressing. The present might be fairly called an important gathering—important in number alone, but as representing the various occupations which enrich a country. The founders of the Order had seen the necessity of consulting the ladies on moral and social topics that were every day cropping up, and in which they should most undoubtedly express an opinion. To those who had joined the Order merely for the purpose of strengthening the cause, he would say all honor was due, and to those who had joined that they might obtain a mastery over themselves, double honor. The second fact was that they all appeared to see the absolute necessity of getting immigrants into the Province. If they ever expected to hear it spoken of otherwise than as a small fishing village—barring the fish—(laughter}— the only way was to introduce immigrants. With the understanding, then, that ho was addressing an appreciative audience, he should proceed to explain the views of the Government on this matter. The Government was fully aware of the absurdity of introducing men tit for notliing but loitering about the town ; and so long as the present Executive remained in office such a state of things would bo avoided. They were aware that the class of men wanted was farm laborers, mechanics, and small and large capitalists. Care would be taken not to introduce immigrants in such numbers as to become a burden to the Government and the community. He was somewhat surprised some time since to hear a man who considers he possesses considerable understanding say that “it was impossible for a laborer to get a living here.” He must say that such a statement appeared perfectly ridiculous, for he failed to see -what could prevent an industrious, sober man from gaining a livelihood, and acquiring property besides, unless the working man is to be compared to a person who was glad at first to get employment under Government at £250 a year; but, after a time, wanted £3OO, and when he had- succeeded in getting that, still asked for more, and found out that he could not even live on £SOO a year. A man could live as cheaply in the Colony as in England, for it was not to be expected that he would require meat three times a-day, when, in England, he may have had it only twice or three times a-week ; he would hardly object to eat salt butter as being not good enough (laughter), and then want nothing less than salmon and jam with his butter. (Renewed laughter). The seven or eight shillings a-day a man receives in the Province for his work, and thought nothing of, would be thought a splendid income in England. However, it appeared to be the fashion of the present age, that as soon as a man got one pound lie was to spend thirty shillings ; and, moreover, there was a foolish notion fostered by some that as soon as they got immigrants, wages would go down. There could not be a greater fallacy than that, for if they looked at Otago or Canterbury —where the largest number of immigrants had been introduced —they would find that wages were higher there than even in this Province. It was true there were more employers in Otago and Canterbury than here, but taking into consideration the number of immigrants to be introduced, the balance in their favor was considerable. It was a positive fact that where immigrants had been introduced in the largest numbers, there the highest wages were given. It was also stated that, to send a man thirty miles in the bush would ruin him but if there were such men to be found who, if placed on a piece of land twenty miles inland could not get a living, what was wanted ? Were they still to cling to the sea-shore, ■which had hitherto hindered the progress of the settlement ? There was an impression that the men coming out might not be like the old settlers in pluck, or have the same backbone; but that remained to be seen. Ho did know that if such opportunities had been offered to some of their old settlers when they came out, they would have said, “give us the land, and we will get a living.” To-day might be marked as a red letter day in the annals of the Province, for the Education Board had sat for the first time -with the determination to establish a thorough system of education, and it possessed funds to enable it to do so. That day the Good Templars celebrated the appointment of an emigration agent ; and to use the words of the Rev. Sydney Smith—“We see a live emigration agent and his •wife before us with our own eyes,” With these facts before them, let them endeavor to advance and make the Province what, not to speak figuratively, it really is—the “ Garden of New Zealand.”

The Rev. J. Smith, in the course of some remarks, said that, amid all their prosperity they should not forget that great man who had been the means of bringing it about. The name of Mr Vogel should be revered by all as the instigator of the Public Works and Immigration scheme. It was he who, amidst the forebodings of our leading politicians, saw the necessity of borrowing large sums of money to populate and culture this beautiful land. Some people thought it a most horrible thing for the Colony to be in debt so that posterity might be benefited in years to come, “for what,” said a gentleman once, “ has posterity done for us.” He, like the ladies, was not much of a politician, but they must all feel glad and rejoiced at the advancement of the Province.

Mr. W. M, Burton in his speech acknowledging the presentation of ai address spoke as follows : —Whilst it is not to be expected, or even desired, that we should agree on all subjects which agitato the public mind, yet, it is satisfactory to feel that, in a matter so vital to the interests of the Province, we arc able to lay aside our differences and find a common bond of union and sympathy in the promotion of that judicious emigration from the mother country which must result in the mutual benefit of our present and prospective population. . . .1 did not apply

for the office of emigration agent until I had fully satisfied myself that I could conscientiously undertake the important duties connected with that office. If I had thought that those pieopde whom I should send out would say that they were no better off than when in England, then sir, I should certainly not have offered myself. I look upion tire matter in this light :—There is a plant in a garden with a soil unsuitod to its growth ; transplant it, and it becomes a flourishing shrub. And thus it is with numbers of peopdo in Great Britain who are struggling for a livelihood. Let them emigrate, and their welfare will be considerably promoted. Here is a country with a healthful climate, and plenty for williug hands to do. In consequence of my having sold off all my property, some peopJc- think that I am not going to return; but they labour entirely under false impressions, for I have taken this course ho as to have nothing to interfere with my duties in selecting and sending out immigrants to this Province. I desire to have one grand object in view, with nothing to divert my attention. Ido not go homo as a Good Templar, but as an immigration agent.