IMMIGRATION.

Southland Times, Issue 3136, 1 July 1878, Page 2

IMMIGRATION.

" «P ' . , i- ;■ Barren Tijcbs.— On reading your report of the meeting held on the 21st.; inst,; re immigration, it appears to me that many of its speakers have sadly underrated the vast importance of the subject t-heT^were ■■ t discussing. - The majority appear ;of ' -:«£ l opinion that there is employment for 1200" ' immigrants this following' spring. Granted there is work for the "above number, will capitalists employ them should th-y no*, prove a suitable class. Immigration has been much discussed of late in your columns,, and the cry generally is, that men of the right stamp are not sent. Here if the'vast itripor- - tance of the question. It is a matter of surprise to me that no resolution was proposed somewhat to this effect, " that this meeting is of opinion that tbe Government should instruct the Agent-General to send in the future a more suitable class of immigrants, adapted for the requireme' ts of the Colony." Under the present system of immigration are we not importing men, women, and children to fill our gaols and lunatic asylums on account of the indolent and drunken habits of many of the so-called agr cultural labor* I erg, Ac, imported to the Colony under the name of suitable immigrants. There is not; the least d>ubt that « ages will be on the decrease in New Zealand for some years, that is from 20s to 3'b per week with ntions, whioh good men are bound to command. Lastly, a question to runholders, agioulturalists, Ac. Have" you proper accommodation for the class of people you require P Do you ever leave of an evening for a few minutes your often luxurious room and comf ortabl ' fire, where you may be discussing over a glass of toddy with a neighboring squatter, the deplorable and deraora bring state of New Zealand's future, on account of the drunken habits of many of its present laboring class, to visit your whare or hut, and whether your men are happy, comfortable, and contented ? Have you clean and proper sleeping accommodation fit for human beings f Alas ! I fear too often you will find them huddled together in an inconveniently close room or shanty. The retiring and innocent with the bold and drunken sot. Such contagion, Sir, too often leads to the fall of the innocent new chum, who a'ter he has lost self-respect, loses energy and confidence, and instead of becoming an industrious colonist, as was his previous intention, he becomes one of those dissipated men we see loafing about the bars of our country hotels, or carrying a swag, foot-sore with travelling, although there may be plenty of work in the country, yet employers see that cursed word "Dbink" stamped on a once honest face. We may import good and honest laborers, but until we have better accommodation for single men, : and landed proprietor build cottages for the married, so that a man can live with his wife, j instead of as in many instances, ten, twenty, and even more miles apart. We shall never I have a steady, sober, and industrious class of farm laborers, as they are often driven to drink on account of the comfortless hovels th^y have to live in. The labor question to a oertaht extent lies in the hands of the employers, who, after having induced men and women to leave their native country by the high rate of wages, can make them a blessing or a curse to the country. Much more co"ld be said on tbe above subject, but I fear I have tresspassed too much on your space, and apologising for the same,— l am, &c. Facts. The publication of the above letter was unavoidably delayed l;y press of matter (Ed S. T.