IMMIGRATION.

Southland Times, Issue 2167, 16 August 1875, Page 2

IMMIGRATION.

* (TO THB EDITOR OP THB TIMES.) Sir, — Last evening I attended a meeting convened at the Theatre, Invercargill, to hear an address froni Mr Lumsden, this being the first opportunity since my arrival in tlie colony. 1 agreed with a deal said by that gentleman respecting the measures he supported during the last session of the Provincial Council, but I protest against the attempt made by Mr Lumsden to prop up those institutions by condemning the emigration policy of the General Government, and against his statement that the class of emigrants sent out were the sweepings of the slums of the old country, and that, had the province of Otago selected their own, such a class would never have been sent out, but well educated people of capital. Since I have been in the colony, I have gleaned from reading the newspapers that the Provincial authorities sout to the old country a certain Mrs Howard to select immigrants, and I believe those on whom Mr Lumsden passed his scathing remarks were her selection. Again, I believe Mr Adam was sent to the old country by the Province to select suitable emigrants, and Sir J. Yogel in a despatch to the Agent-G-eneril statod that as far as practicable, Mr Adam should select those for Otago. I have attache 1 a, clipping from the southern Mercury of the 6th inst., showing what is now going on under, as I feel justified in terming if, provincial selection : — " Cavcrsham was thrown into a state of great excitement on Saturday night by a regular ' free fight ' between some 30 or 40 of the male portion of the Aldergrove passengers, who became excited by drink, when the subject of nationalities roused their blooi to fighting qualities, Loose articles, such as rails and Dits of scantling, were freely whirled in the air between tho hostile hosts, and unfortunately one of these delicate weapons dropped on the head of a man named Mi-Kay, and so severely injured him that he had to be taken to the Hospital. A number of the rioters were subsequently brought into town, and placed in tho lock-up ; and on Monday morning they were brought , up at the Police Court and sentenced to a I term of imprisonment equivalent to their deserts." Sir, after reiding that clipping, I think you will agree with me that a more absurd aud lame excuse coul.l not have been put forth by a public man, to prop up a tottering institution. I will here remind Mr Lumsden that muscle and sinew are required for making a young country ; and would Mr Lumsden ta^e a few excursions to where the public works are going on, on inquiry there would be found out of every 10 men working there. 7 who had arrived iv tne colony within tho last 2h years, and I think too that would Mr Lumsden make an inquiry iv this tjwn and suburbs he would find that many parcels of land had been purchased, and comfortable homes erected thereon by emigrants who have been sent out within tlie last eighteen months, by thrifty hard-working men, and I think the wholesale condemnation and sweeping remarks made were unjust and uncalled for. Trusting you will excuse the liberty I have taken in asking you to publish this in your columns, as a laboring man and free emigrant (not a provincial selection).— l am, yours, _c, Ex Wilmam: Davie, 1874. August 12, 1875.