CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE IMMIGRATION AGENCY OF the PROVINCE OF OTAGO IN NORTH BRITAIN.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1872 Session I, D-07c

D.—No. 7c.

CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE IMMIGRATION AGENCY OF the PROVINCE OF OTAGO IN NORTH BRITAIN.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BY COMMAND OE HIS EXCELLENCY. WELLINGTON. 1872.

D.—No. 7c.

No. 1. His Honor J. Macandeew to the Hon. the Colonial Secketaet. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Dunedin, 7th June, 1872. Referring to my letter of date as per margin, on the subject of immigration, I am now in receipt of advice from the Agent of the Province, under date the 10th April, which leads me to think that the relationship between the Colonial and Provincial Agencies is likely to assume a more satisfactory position than from previous correspondence I was led to anticipate. Be this as it may, £owever, the correspondence which goes by this mail will do no harm, indicating as it does the views and desires of the Provincial Government upon the subject. I have, &c, J. Macandeew, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

June 5,1872.

No. 2. His Honor J. Macandeew to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sib, — Superintendent's Office, Dunedin, sth June, 1872. Enclosed I have the honor to transmit, for the information of the Colonial Government, copy of a letter addressed by me to the British Agent of this Province on the subject of immigration to Otago. The letter so fully explains itself, that it is unnecessary to enlarge upon the subject, further than to express my hope that you may communicate with the Agent-General in the direction indicated. I believe it will be generally admitted by those who have had an opportunity of forming an opinion, that, by means of the Otago Agency, a body of immigrants has been introduced into the Province which, on the whole, will compare favourably with those introduced into any other Colony; also, that a line of ships has been established, unrivalled perhaps, certainly unsurpassed, by any other passenger line whatever. It is therefore not to be wondered at if the Province should feel desirous of continuing in its integrity an Agency which has been productive of such results ; and although, rather than forego the advantage which it is felt will continue to accrue from the operations of the Agency being conducted as heretofore, the Provincial Legislature is willing to draw largely on its ordinary revenue, at the same time it is hoped that, in the event of the Agent-General and Provincial Agent not coming to terms, the Colony will ultimately refund out of the Immigration Loan whatever amount may be expended by the Province in introducing population into the country. I have, &c, J. Macandeew, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent.

Enclosure in No. 2. His Honor J. Macanbeew to Mr. J. At/ld, W.S. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, Dunedin, sth June, 1872. I have deferred replying to your letters relative to the future position of the Agency, until it should be seen what might be the practical result upon the Otago Agency of the mission to Britain of the Agent-General of the Colony. As you are aware, I did not anticipate that the mission of the Agent-General would involve any interference with your operations other than might be necessary to prevent the two Agencies from clashing or competing with each other. I looked upon it that the Otago Agency, which under your direction has done such good service during the past twenty years, would have been permitted to retain its individuality, and to carry on its functions in every respect as formerly, although nominally transferred to the Colony ; that, in fact, the Colony would have employed the existing Provincial organization in carrying out its immigration functions, in so far as Otago is concerned. In these anticipations, however, I regret to find that I appear to have been mistaken, and that the first fruit of the change has been to extinguish this Province as a special field for emigration, as well as to abandon the splendid line between the Clyde and this port, than which there are no finer ships afloat. Under these circumstances I have to request you will be good enough to place yourself in communication with the Agent-General, with a view to the Agency resuming its functions in respect of chartering ships direct for this port, and of influencing the same class of emigrants to this Province as heretofore, that is to say, not only labourers, but small farmers and capitalists—resuming those functions under the general control of the Colonial Agent, provided the operations of the Agency are defrayed out of the Immigration Loan.

CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO OTAGO IMMIGRATION AGENCY.

D.—No. 7c.

In the event of the Agent-General declining to agree to this proposal, you are hereby empowered! to resume the status quo ante, and to make the necessary arrangements for despatching one ship a month, with assisted emigrants, provided the total amount does not exceed £12,000 for the twelve months, commencing with the first ship. This is the sum voted by the Provincial Council, irrespective of the expense of the Agency. If it can possibly be arranged, I should like that at least two ships in the year should land their passengers at Bluff Harbour. As to the proportion of passage money (if any) payable by the emigrants, you will have to ba guided to some extent by the Colonial regulations ; at the same time the Provincial Government, having every confidence in your wisdom, will leave this matter very much to your discretion. As a rule, probably £5 per statute adult would be sufficient allowance, the emigrant giving promissory note* for the difference. Tou will observe that I have no desire, but the contrary, to adopt any action which might tend to cripple the efforts of the Colonial Government in its immigration policy; at the same time, it is so manifestly important that the future character and extent of emigration to Otago should not be contingent upon any change in the practical administration of the Agency at home, that in the interest of the Province, the Provincial Legislature has, I am glad to say, unanimously decided upon maintaining the Home Agency upon its former footing. In conclusion, I have only to express an earnest hope that you will be able to arrange matters witlk the Agent-General, so that the agency may be carried on and perform the same functions as heretofore under the Colonial scheme. I can see no practical difficulty in the way of this. I have, &c, James Macandeew, John Auld, Esq., W.S., Otago Office, Edinburgh. Superintendent of Otago.

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CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO OTAGO IMMIGRATION.