THE IMMIGRATION QUESTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 18

THE IMMIGRATION QUESTION.

(Pbok Otto Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, December 2. On this important subject Dr Chappie has received from the London secretary of the Victoria League a letter, from which the following extract will be read with some interest :—": — " Personally I am 1 more and more convinced that the whole subject of emigration needs far more careful handling and lifting away from the old idea that it only xiffects the very poorest in the country. I feel confident that many more people of the right kind would settle in 'the new countries if they had facilities here for getting at absolutely accurate information as to the conditions of life existing in those countries. The picture is often painted either far too brightly or too dark. What one ' wants is accurate information." Referring to the subject at a league meej,ing~here yesterday, Dr Chappie mentioned the danger qf immigration of the /Wrong . class, and quoted the following ■ from the local press: — "During the last six years 50 cases, (in Auckland), Jnvoly- , ing 94 persons, -had become, a .charge on the; rates, all these being^recent immigrants. Included in these were 17 cases of consumption." Dr Chappie said the problem was serious and urgent: \-We needed ' population. Our humanitarian laws made this ' country attractive to those .who wanted gomething for nothing. Charitable institu- ! tions and religious institutions at rjome were fostering ' .-^emigration . to relieve poverty and - deterioration and taxes. The best in Britain were hard to ' detach from their environment and from - the [soil; the worst most readily, .responded j to the emigration movement.'. JVe^had to Attract the best country Jaboußers^and. ' keep off the worst ' of all classes, aqd ' he thought the Victoria League might* talte ! up this branch of work with advantage to I this country and to deserving immiI grants.