The Star. MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 1869.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 386, 9 August 1869, Page 2

The Star. MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 1869.

TiCE Colonial Treasurer, in making his Financial Statement, alluded at some length to the subject of immigration As the question is of large importance to the colony generally, it may not be uninteresting if we endeavour to give a brief sketch of what Mr Yogel said. The Government, remarked Mr Yogel, recognised the largo effects which, in the past, had resulted from direct emigration from the mother country, and felt certain that iv the present comparative cessation of immigration there was much cause for regret. While they admitted that the subject requires to be dealt with, they did not see their way. to. do so this session. Something more is needed than merely attempting to induce immigrants to come; it is highly desirable to be able to base the inducements on substantial grounds. What shape, asked Mr Yogel, should assisted immigration continue to take? He could only lay down some general conditions. > fsfn the firat place, it is necessary that there should be an exceedingly careftil selection of suitable persons. Mr Yogel doea not think well of the pi'oposal made in some quarters regarding a scheme of immigration conducted' by the Imperialand Colonial Governments jointly. Such a scheme, he thinks, is not likely to be successful, because the interests of the two Governments are entirely diverse. It is the interest of the Imperial Government to get rid of the most useless. part of its population ; it. is the interest of the colony to obtain the best and most usefulX: ,- ■: Assisted immigrants, said the Treasurer, should not find themselves landed on our shores without some one la look to for guidance and employment. And it is exceedingly desirable that the assistance rendered to the immigrant, in respect to his passage or otherwise, should be faithful^ and rigidly" repaid. Here a difficulty arises, for it is very undesirable that such pecuniary relations should be established between the Government and any considerable portion of the population. The possible evils of such relations have been pointed put, and it is impossible to deny the force of the objections that have been raised. Looking at these possible evils, Mr Yogel says that, in theory, the most desirable system of immigration would.be one in which all pecuniary transactions would be conducted by some body or ] association intervening between the! Government and the immigrant, but in which, as regards selection or approval, the Government should have much discretion left to it. We are afraid that Mr Vogel's theory, when it comes to he examined; would present several objections. Still, the plan he alludes to has worked well in America.: Thare, however, they are not so very particular in selecting immigrants. The conclusion which the Government have arrived at in the meantime is this : They will invite, outside as well as within the colony, not, only every information obtainable, but also a number of specific offers and proposals for carrying out a continued scheme of immigration, allied witb settlement. This information, and

these prolate, ttieyrwill j&j before the Assembly* next sessiftp^gtogether with.. carefuliyv- prepared rectfuamendations based on them. The Government ;' have nQ doubt that,.^.wi thin aa well as without 'the colony, persons will be found -willing to undertake to form settlements in" the North Island on land which the Crown, without violation of any rights, or without proceeding; to- auy fresh CG-Qfwcation, will be able to place at their disposal. Such offers have, in more than one instance, Mr Yogel informs us, been made respecting the. _• -Patea district, and. similar proposals are in course of consideration in Enlgand. , . ■ .-.