COMMISSIONERS RELATIVE TO IMMIGRATION.

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D.—No. 4.

The Commissioners will observe that the Government are pledged to the Assembly " to propose next year a comprehensive plan, which, without violating constitutional conditions, will extend the benefits of regular and systematic Immigration to the Colony throughout its length and breadth." The promise has also been made to invite " not only every information obtainable, but also a number of specific offers and proposals for carrying out a continued scheme of Immigration allied with settlement, and of bringing them before the Assembly next Session." It is hoped that the Commissioners will see their way to obtaining this information. To guide them, I propose to indicate, as well as the limited information at my command enables me to do the nature of the proposals which would seem to be best suited to the circumstances of the Colony, but without, in doing so, desiring or intending to fetter the inquiries or the action the Commissioners may deem it advisable to take. I must observe, however, that into whatever negotiations the Commissioners may enter, they must recollect that the Assembly has not yet sanctioned the final adoption of any terms. They, therefore, must not bind the Colony to any undertaking: all they can do is to submit for the approval of the Assembly any proposals which they consider are likely to be favourably entertained. 1. I am not at all disposed to any scheme which has for its basis the ridding Great Britain or any other country of its unemployed population. No doubt we are only likely to obtain emigrants from a country possessed of a redundant population; but this does not make it advisable that the purpose of the immigration should be ostensibly to reduce the excess. Por, were this admitted, it would logically follow that from the ranks of the unemployed immigrants should be chiefly sought. Broadly, it seems to me that the unemployed represent the portion of the population least suited for employment. It is the interest of the country parting with population to get rid of the unemployed; the country seeking population would rather look to the employed, as affording a better guarantee of fitness. The distinction is very important, for it involves the whole question of securing the pick instead of the refuse of the population for the purposes of immigration. There is, I understand, a wide-spread desire at homo to what is called "aid" the colonies with emigrants composed of persons with whom a philanthropic Government might well be willing to part. Prom what I have written, you w 7ill observe that there seems to me such a disparity of interest between the country parting with and the country acquiring population, that I doubt whether much good would result to the Colony from co-operation with any person or persons whose primary object was to get rid of the pauper population of the United Kingdom. 2. Any proposal which did not leave to the New Zealand Government a large share in the choice of immigrants, would be wanting in an essential feature. 3. Since co-operation is to be invited, and as it is not to be sought on the ground of finding an asylum for population of which those who co-operate desire to rid the country, the question arises, on what basis should the co-operation depend? There is but one other at all likely to have much weight, namely, a basis of profit. In other words, the co-operation should be rendered as a matter of business. 4. There are several ways in which co-operation might be made profitable. Por instance, owners of ships would find it suit them to enter into a contract with the New Zealand Government to provide passages for immigrants ; and no doubt you will be able to meet shipowners willing to contract on. favourable terms as regards the mode of payment. Whilst such offers might very properly be submitted to the Assembly, I have to point out to you the objections to a scheme of this kind: — The cost of defraying the entire passage of the immigrant would be too great for the Government to undertake. If the immigrant had to find part of the passage-money, the inducement, in the face of the cheap passages to Canada and elsewhere, would .be insufficient to secure many immigrants. If the Government were to defray part or all of the passage-money on the agreement of repayment by the immigrant at some distant time, the very objectionable feature of the Government becoming the creditor for small amounts of a large number of persons would be the consequence. Lastly, apian which went no further than to simply land immigrants in the Colony would fail to provide them with the means of employment, and might result in their immediately leaving for another colony. 5. I have dwelt on these objections because they naturally lead me to the statement of the conditions under which I consider immigration, when not conducted directly by the Government, may most beneficially be encouraged. The immigrant's passage, if he require it, should be paid, and perhaps some little assistance for outfit be given to him. Very easy terms of repayment should be allowed to him. He should be sure of employment on landing, or, if he desire it and have capital, an opportunity of acquiring land. Whilst, for convenience sake, I speak of immigrant in the single number, I think a considerable proportion of the immigrants should be composed of families rather than of single men without relations. 6. If in any way the Government commence a system of giving encouragement to immigration, unless the receipt of such encouragement is to involve loss of caste, the immigrant who is able and willing to pay his own passage might naturally expect some consideration to be accorded to him. It is a result springing out of a system of assisted immigration, that unassisted immigration is unlikely to continue concurrently to any large extent. Immigrants paying their own passages may be dealt with in several ways : —• Ist. A bonus may be paid them on landing. 2nd. Which would be much preferable, a bonus after staying in the Colony some stated period. 3rd. A grant of land. 4th. Favourable terms for securing deferred annuities, or for insuring their lives. sth. Loans, through some organized societies, to enable them to enter into farming or other directly productive pursuits. 6th. Preferential employment. 2