IMMIGRATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2049, 29 August 1868, Page 3

IMMIGRATION.

(To tlte Editor of the, Otago Daily Times.

Sir—Notwithstanding your plausible leader of the 24fch instant, the question at issue you somehow evaded,-treated a universal proposition as a particular one, and deduced conclusions which were illegitimate. It was this^-" All employers of labour declaim against the extravagant rate of wages." ISTow, Government, the City Corporation, the leading farmers in this and the Taieri district, are employers of labour—therefore, they declaim, &c. I have not heard declamations on that point, nor have proofs been brought forward to support the assertion. -; ; , , - *

I affirmed that immigration was not required, the Province being abundantly supplied with labor. This statement is founded on the number 6f people in search of employment, and who cannot find it,and also from other sources.

Suppose immigration initiated; after supplying the farmers, and the few public works in progress, what would we do with the surplus ? Would the result not be maledictions at those .who? induced them to leave their homes; an inundation of letters •to Dundee and other journals, maligning the Province; rebellion at an attempt to reduce wages ; and a wholesale emigration ;to,other Provinces, allured; by their golden reports,: thus leaving" non payment of the moneys expended upon themi 'Would "not the .-capital'so" expended be more profitably..'applied to opening up; the country to induce settlement 1 Moreover, a wholesale immigration introduces a class which eventually becomes a burden upon the Province. The prosperity of Otago hitherto has been attributed to the respectable wages that have ruled, thus enabling' laboring men. who have earned a little capital, to settle upon the waste lands. When these settlers find themselves comfortable, they never fail in sending for and paying the passages of their friends. ; ;• ',

I am aware I have trodden upon the toe3 of those who are desirous "bf grinding down the wages, and preventing people from settling upon the land. We kn ow the advantage of introducing capital as weli as they da, but we know also, when these become great landed ■:• proprietors, they will try to reduce the work-ing-man to the condition of serfs, wishing as at present all the Cockatoos bordering upon their possessions exterminated.

Mr P. Murray propounds a Utopian scheme for adoption by the Imperial Government— " Emigration on 7a large scale; a regulated scale of. wages; small allotments for the production of a cottar class, to supply Colonial nab6 vs with.labor at a low rate." It is a pity Mir' Murray could not be a Colonial Secretary, for he would soon clear the gaols and workhouses in the Home .Country, and transfer their inmates to enjoy the hospitality } of the Australian Colonies. „' ' '■"".'.'

This letter closes my correspondence. I trust you will give an opportunity to working men to insert a few.—l am, &c.y A. Gr. Allah.