NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

11

A.—No. l

Memo, by Mr. Foe June 30, 1870.

Enclosure 1. Memo, by Mr. Pox June 30, 1870. Enclosure 2. Correspondence respecting Immigration. Vide Appondix to Journals of the House of Representatives, 1870. D.—No. 4.

No. 12. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. (No. 72.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, —- New Zealand, 30th June, 1870. With reference to your Lordship's Circular Despatch of the sth March ultimo, respecting the proposed contribution towards the maintenance of the settlement at Somerset, in Queensland, I am requested by my Responsible Advisers to transmit the enclosed Ministerial Memorandum. : I have, &c, The Right Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. G. F. BOWEN.

Enclosure in No. 12. Memokandum by Mr. Fox. Torres Sfraifs Depot. The interest of New Zealand in this question is infinitesimal. Scarcely a single Colonial ship uses that route, and any vessels from New Zealand which do, are in all probability English ships in ballast. The question chiefly concerns the British shipowner, and to some extent, perhaps, the Colonies of Queensland and New South Wales. The New Zealand Government, therefore, declines to ask the Assembly to contribute. Wellington, 30th June, 1870. William Fox.

No. 13. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to tlie Right Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. (No. 73.) Government House, Wellington, My Loud, — New Zealand, Ist July, 1870. I have the honor to report that I lost no time in directing the attention of my Responsible Advisers to your Lordship's Circular Despatch of the 14th February ultimo, respecting the question of emigration; which is, for several obvious reasons, of more vital importance to New Zealand even than to other Colonies. 2. I now transmit the accompanying Ministerial Memorandum on this subject. It will be seen that my Responsible Advisers refer to that part of the Colonial Treasurer's Financial Statement,* which explains their proposed general scheme of immigration, and to their correspondence respecting it with their Commissioners in England, Mr. Dillon Bell and Dr. Featherston. They observe that they are not in a position to give more detailed information until the Legislature shall have decided the questions laid before it. 3. It will, of course, be recollected that immigration in New Zealand (unlike most other colonies) has hitherto been under the control, not of the General but of the Provincial Governments; several of which have adopted different systems and maintained separate agencies in England. Consequently the furnishing complete answers on all the points referred to in the Circular Despatch now under acknowledgment, is a matter of much greater labour and difficulty here than elsewhere. 4. I shall take the earliest opportunity of reporting to your Lordship the decision of the Colonial Legislature on the Ministerial scheme of immigration. Meanwhile, it may be stated generally that the two classes of immigrants most urgently required at present in New Zealand are, — (1.) Agricultural labourers. (2.) Female domestic servants of good character. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. G. F. BOWEN. • See especially pages 19 and 20. Copies are transmitted by this mail, with my Despatch No. 75.