THE BELGIAN IMMIGRATION SCHEME.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3502, 26 June 1884, Page 3

THE BELGIAN IMMIGRATION SCHEME.

Concerning M. de Barren’s Belgian immigration scheme, the London correspondent of a contemporary writes, on a recent date“ I have this morning received a number of pamphlets and papers from M. Emile de Harven, the enthusiastic Frenchman who is trying so herd to interest Belgium and New Zealand in one another. From what I have been able to make out from a cursory glance at his various publications, the facts of the case (which it is quite likely yon know all about much better than !) areas follows:—M. de Hatven is a great believer in the colony. For various reasons, which sire duly set out in a pamphlet entitled “LaNouvelle , Zeland an Point de Vue Economique

la Belgique," he considers great good Voold accrue to Belgium from the ’ establishment of commercial relations with New Zealand, and be wanted his 'iCovernment to send him out on a /'Mission (1) of exploration, (2) to arrange ’Milters and enquire into the possibility •of establishing special settlements, <&o.,Ac. The Belgian Government ap* Jjawntly did not see the force of "send* , !ng n M. do Harven on such a vague ■‘ neither did the Antwerp ChamHMr of Commerce. Both, however, supported bis proposals, and helping him to form a sort of

Committee to pay his expenses. Persons joining this Committee subscribe 500 francs each to the fund, in return for which M. de Harven engages to proceed to New Zealand and eventually to the other Australian colonies, and to inquire into the best means of opening commercial relations with them. The fund must amount to 50,000 fr (£5,000) altogether, which sum is to be placed entirely at M. do Harven’s disposal, and to be spent in travelling expenses, printing and publishing, etc., etc. If he dies on the voyage or whilst in the colony it ia to go to his heirs, executors or assigns, Ho may engage specialists')© accompany him ; indeed, to speak frankly, it seems a very satisfactory arrangement, not to say “ soft thing,’for M. de Harven. I shall send further particulars next mail, when I have read the documents over.