17

D.—2a.

Government was labouring by this competition that I placed the services of my whole staff at tho disposal of the Messrs. Brogden, with a view of enabling them to complete tho contract for the despatch of 2,000 emigrants within the shortest possible period, more especially as I was aware that it was absolutely essential for the construction of tho railways in contemplation that a large proportion of the emigrants should be of the class known as " navvies." It is scarcely fair, therefore, on the part of the Government to deduct from tho number of emigrants sent out by me those known as " Brogden's men," inasmuch as the labour of selecting and shipping these men was quite as great, if not greater, than iv the case of the emigrants nominally despatched on behalf of the Government. 2. I am repeatedly told by the Government that they instructed me to send out 8,000 emigrants during the year 1872, and that I have only sent out about one-half of that number. This charge, I observe, lias been repeated by Members both in and outside the House. The only possible inference that could be drawn from this statement is, that I had twelve months given to me in which to execute the order for 8.000 emigrants. Now, what aro the real facts ? The order from Mr. Gisborne to send out 8,000 emigrants was dated 21st November, 1871, and was received by me in February, 1872 ; but this order was accompanied by instructions that I was not to hind emigrants in the months of June, July, and August. In other words, I was told on the receipt of this despatch, no emigrants were to be sent by me from Europe till the beginning of June. Instead, therefore, of giving mo twelve months for the despatch of the 8,000 emigrants, the Government practically limited mo lo a period of six months ; for as I have already explained in a previous letter, emigration from tho United Kingdom during the month of December is almost at a standstill. I repeat that, instead of giving me twelve months for the despatch of emigrants during 1572, tho Government prohibited my sending cut emigrants during more than six months of that year. But tho charge made against mo with respect to tho non-arrival of the emigrants during 1872 is, I respectfully submit, still more untenable; for while, as I have already shown, the period for the despatch of tho emigrants was limited to six months, the period for their arrival iv thcColonv (so as to permit of their being counted under the order for 8,000) was in effect limited to four months, assuming the averago voyage to New Zealand to bo three months. 3. In consequence of the representations made to me by tho General Government, that they were afraid I was starving emigration by not offering sufficiently liberal terms, and that, provided population could be poured in, the cost was of secondary importance, and likewise their positive instructions that I should make the terms as liberal as those offered by any other Government, I very unadvisedly offered not only free passages so far as money payments were concerned, but to abolish the system of promissory notes altogether. I had no sooner promulgated these new regulations (on the 10th March) than I perceived that I had committed a grave blunder, and at once (on the 17th) cancelled them, intimating at the same lime to the sub-agents that all promises made under these ill-advised regulations would be faithfully fulfilled; fori had no soonerabolished the system of promissory notes than I felt I had seriously compromised the Government, both in regard to past and existing emigration contracts. For instance, the Messrs. Brogden might havo reasonably complained that while they had been called upon to give their own promissory notes at tho rate of'£lo per adult on all emigrants introduced by them, emigrants were being introduced without being required to pay any part of their passage money, or to give any promissory notes. The parties with whom I havo contracts for the introduction of Germans, and Scandinavians would have had an equal right to make a similar complaint. And further, it would havo rendered it difficult for the Government to collect the promissory notes already given by emigrants. I may add, that judging from my own experience, emigrants as a rule do not object to give promissory notes in payment of their passage money. I therefore, for these reasons, admitting the blunder I had made, withdrew the regulations of the 10th March, and substituted those of 17th, of which you havo already received a copy. The Hon. Mr. O'Rorke will find by a return forwarded to the Government that his complaint with respect to the non-appointment of agents, and the inadequacy of the advertisements in the newspapers of the South of Ireland (in iho justice of which complaint I quite concur), has now been remedied. At tho same time, I must repeat that I am not responsible for tho actions of peripatetic agents sent homo by the Government, in whose appointment I have been allowed no voice, and who usually act in defiance of mv instructions. I would in conclusion add, that being now in a position to judge of the future prospects of emigration in this county, I do not for one moment share the gloomy anticipations which aro constantly being put forth by a section of the Colonial press, and which appear to have somewhat alarmed the Government. On the contrary, knowing as Ido the numerous preliminary difficulties that have, been already surmounted, and feeling that the interest in New Zealand as a field for emigration is every day increasing in this country, I am more than ever persuaded of the ultimate success of the great schemo inaugurated by the Government, aud so emphatically accepted by tho Colony. I have, &c, I. E. Featherston, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, N.Z. Agent-General.

No. 6. Dr. Featherston to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, AVestminstcr, S.W., Sib,— loth May, 1873. I have the honor to transmit to you herewith particulars of tho arrangements for tho despatch of emigrant vessels during May and June. 3-D. 2a.