EMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND. (FURTHER, LETTERS TO THE AGENT-GENERAL.) [In continuation of D-1, 1880.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1880 Session I, D-01a

D.—lA.

1880. NEW ZEALAND.

EMIGRATION TO NEW ZEALAND. (FURTHER, LETTERS TO THE AGENT-GENERAL.) [In continuation of D-1, 1880.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Hon. the Peemiee to the Aqent-Geneeal. Sib, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 2nd January, 1880. Referring to previous correspondence on the subject of reductions in the staff of your department, and having in view the great diminution in emigration operations, the Government have arrived at the opinion that further reductions should take place in your office with as little delay as possible. The gentlemen employed during the past year as Emigration Agents were, I find, Mr. C. Holloway, at £150 a year; Mr. G. M. Eeed, at £600 a year; Mr. A. Claydon, at £250 a year ; and Mr. District Judge Bathgate, at £350 a year; involving an expenditure of £1,350 in salaries, besides travelling and incidental expenses. I understand that the employment of two of these gentlemen in their present capacity will terminate shortly, if it has not already ceased in terms of their appointment; and you will have gathered from Mr. Eolleston's letter of the 6th November last the wish of the Government that you should reduce the expenditure in this direction generally as soon as possible consistently with absolute engagements. I shall be glad to learn that you have been able to do so. I shall also receive with much satisfaction an intimation from you that a sensible reduction is capable of being made in the large staff employed in the London office, consisting as it does of nine clerks, besides the secretary, accountant, and shorthand writer. It seems to me that, amongst other reductions, a second emigration officer might be dispensed with under existing circumstances; or if the long services of the gentleman now filling that situation are such as to give him a strong claim on the consideration of the Government, then that room should be made for him by the removal of some other officer. I have no doubt you will agree with the Government that, looking to the large diminution which the suspension of emigration operations must effect in the work of your office, the strong wish expressed in Parliament for a reduction in the cost should be met with as little delay as possible. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. John Hall.

By Authority: Geobge Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBo. Price 3d.]