EMIGEATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 671, 18 July 1870, Page 3

EMIGEATION.

The text of the recent Colonial Office circular on emigration has been published. It call the attentions of the colonial Governors to the distress prevailing among the labouring classes of England, and points out the mutual advantage to the emigrant and to the colony to be derived from emigration. Each Governor is requested to give his opinion as to the prospects which his colony at present holds out to emigrants, and to furnish all possible information as to the classes of labourers most wanted, the number for whom employment can be found; the wages obtainable; whether married men can obtain wages adequate to the support of their families and proper house accommodation; what facilities will be provided to pass the emigrants to the districts where their labour is most in demand; and whether any pecuniary assistance would be granted, either towards their passages or towards providing depots and subsistence on their firtt arrival. A meeting of the council of the National Emigration League was held at Westminster Palace Hotel on the 25th ult., to consider the expediency of changing the name of the organisation to " The National, Colonial, and Emigration League," and to amend the schedule of objects so as to embrace the advocacy of a policy in favour of ''retaining the colonies as a part of the empire." The objects, as set forth, are :— " 1. The advocacy of a policy calculated to promote the consolidation and permanence of the empire by measures tending :to strengthen the union between Great Britain and her colonies. 2. As one of the chief measures tending to promote this object, to urge upon the Home Government a system of national emigration in concert with the various colonial Governments. 3. To disseminate information upon colonial questions, and respecting the advantages and facilities of emigration." The attendance included Mr MC. Torrens, M.P. ; Mr Robinson, M.P.; Mr Eastwick, M.P. ; Mr Macfie, M.P. ; Sir W. Denison, Sir George Grey, Sir Charles Nioholson, Sir B. R. Torrens, M.P. j Mr E Wilson, Mr Youl, and several gentlemen who were connected with the colonial conferences held at the beginning of the year at the Cannon street Hotel. Letters approving of the objects of the meeting were read from the Duke of Manchester and others, and the proposals of the council were explained by Sir W. Denison, who had been voted to the chair. The council he t aid, had arrived at the conclusion that a modification^ of the original scheme was desirable, and that the ne iv proposals were made to include operations which were essential to the salvation of both the colonies and the mother country. Motions proposing the adoption of the above-named objects were moved by Mr Jenkins, hon. sec, to the National Emigration League, who said that one of the experiences of the league during the past few months was, that there prevailed, especially amongst the working classes, an ignorance upon colonial subjects bo lamentable as to endanger the relations between the colonies and the mother country and to impede the progress of that emigration which the League thought it advisable to promote. The Council of the League therefore thought the time had arrived when the indivisible subjects— the colonies and emigration— should appear together upon their programme. Sir George Grey entered into the various complaints which he has so often uttered as to New Zealand affairs, and declared that, unless strong measures were adopted before 12 months were over, New Zealand would be lost to the British Empire. Mr Eastwick, M.P., expressed his admiration of the efforts made by Sir Geo. Grey during the last few months to prevent the disruption of our colonial empire, which was at thß present time in much danger, and his astonishment at the ignorance of even our statesmen upon colonial subjects. Mr Macfie, M.P., said although he did not support the league while it merely aimed at the promotion of emigration, he was ready to support it now thai it endeavoured to preserve the integrity of tie empire. Mr B. B. Torrens, M.P., said no doubt there was a large party in the country who were trying to dismember the empire, and Mr Goldwin Smith was its apostle and founder. Several other speakers joined in the discussion, including Sir C. Nicholson, Mr G. Potter, and Mr M'Cullagh Torrens, who contended that the working classes were unanimous in their desire to carry but a huge scheme of emigration. The hon. member for Finsbury intimated that the question had seriously occupied the attention of the Government, and that the people of the country were getting Bullen, sulky, and angry because nothing waß being done. The resolutions were ultimately carried, and the society will for the future be known as the National, Colonial, and Emigration League, and will aim at the three objects before mentioned . At the suggestion of I a gentleman, it was determined that, although the league will not for the future raise funds

to assist emigrants, advice and information \ will be given gratis upon application at the office. On the 28th ulfc. the Lord Mayor, aa president of the British and Colonial Emigration Fund, entertained the whole of the members of the managing committee, upwards of 30 in number, at the Mansion-house; and the occasion was employed in a congratulatory review of their past labours, and in reflecttions calculated to encourage each other in the more arduous work before them. They had sent out 5000 emigrants last year, and 1800 had already taken their departure in the new season. By the end of the present month it is expected the number will have reached 4000. Among the speakers were Lord Alfred Churchill, Sir Thos. Fowell Buxton, and Sir Jas. Lawrence. The streams of emigrants leaving the ports of these islands during the past few weeks have perhaps never been so rapid and voluminous. On the 27th the screw steamer Ganges left the Victoria Docks with 761 emigrants, about the largest party ever despatched in one vessel. They were members of the East-end Emigration Club, and all the adults of the party were entertained on the evening of the 25th ult. at a monster tea-meeting, presided over by Sir James Lawrence, M.P. The total cost of sendiog out this emigrant army, including outfit and landing money, was nearly £5000. On the 28th ult. the steamer Nestorian sailed from Liverpool for Quebec with from 500 to 600 passengers, among whom were 150 emigrants from the north and north-east of London, chiefly sent out by emigration clubs. Already we have tidings from Canada that the strangers have received a hearty welcome, and have found ready employment at good wages. Early in June the Government troop-ships Crocodile and Tamarwill sail for Canada, and will convey from 1200 to 1300 discharged workmen and their families. The exodus of Germans and Scandinavians from Europe to America is prodigious ; and a party of 100 persons, of good families, have just sailed for the Argentine Republic, where they will build a fortified town and found an English colony.