DIRECT IMMIGRATION.

Southland Times, Issue 1888, 1 April 1874, Page 3

DIRECT IMMIGRATION.

(TO Iffß BD.ITOB OF THE TIKES.) Slß,— ln your issue 'of Wednesday last^ you report me to have asked Sir Francis Dillon JBell, at the meeting in the-Theatre— " Do you think that the legislative 'Councfl. is 'ibf any benejfit to . the (fplonyj"'. . , ... ■ il: . : . -; i Now, J beg, to state that I never asked such a question.'^tiV only question that I asked Sir "Francis at the meeting was—" Would Sir Francis Dillon Bell, at .the. next meeting , of the Assembly, move "for a select committee^ or a committee of the -whole House, as- he might think best, to enquire into the act of violation, in Otago, in not carrying out one of the terms of re •union' with Southland, ,viz., that every third immigrant vessel coining to Otago should call- at the Bluff?" ■ — 1am,&c.,.; P. Dalbympib.

- [Mr Dalrymplo is perfectly right in his statement. The question was , not pat by him, but should have been credited to Mr Rutland. . Mr Dalrymple's question re immigration being of Borne importance, and as we were 1 compelled to omit, it from oiir -report from want of space, we now subjoin the reply? Sir EVancis Dillon- Bell said that Ke would have no objection to mbye for such a committee/ if that ! were. thought the' best c'ourae. But' he would sooner' see some aiction_ taken by the House to compel" the General Government to keep the management of immi^gration in their own hands. In whatever' plan } iraß ad opted for calling attention to the matter, he would endeayor to act in concert with his 'colleagues, ' ilio other members for Southlaiid. — Ed,T.] '■ '- ■