Immigration.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4991, 2 May 1884, Page 3

Immigration.

+ TO THB EDITOR OF THE STAR. Sib, — Could you kindly supply the publio through your valuable columns with the -returns of the arrivals and departures of passengers by the Union Company's and other vessels during the last two or three years, with the object of ascertaining whether there are not more leaving our shores at the present time .than there are arriving, and whether we are supporting an expensive Immigration scheme for populating Canterbury, or virtually paying for other Colonies? Many ablebodied men, with big cheques, the results of their labours at shearing and harvest- • ing, and who would stay and circulate the •money here where they have earned it, if they could continue to get work, leave in droves for other fields. Another question, Sir, might I ask your opinion upon. Since .Major Atkinson has thought proper to blame us for electing men, who by ratting have become his tools, what power have we to prevent a repetition of the same thing by the next men we send up P Is there a Ratting Act by which we can compel them to resign, or any other preventative that you could Buggest ? Thanking you for any information that you might give on the above, — I am, &c, ENQUIRER. to the statistics embodied in a Parliamentary return, showing the arrivals and departures of the Intercolonial passenger traffic, the balance is in favour of New Zealand — 2000 for a period of, three years. Unfortunately there is no political "Rough on rats." — Ed. Star.']