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rulers of the Union desired to provide for. Therefore I think that you should not, in any arrangement with these Unions, dispense with the power of selection and approval; nor with the active exercise of that power, which it is my object to impress upon you that I deem of such immense importance. 10. Without disrepect to those who sign certificates of character for applicants for passages, I think there exists, even amongst persons of high moral rectitude, a readiness to sign such documents; and that, in so doing, they are actuated, not so much by a knowledge of the fitness of the persons on whose behalf they certify, as by the good-natured impression that if those persons have a chance, they are likely to turn out well. !For example, an employer who gets rid of a servant, is more ready, when asked to give a character, to speak of the servant's good points than to point out any blemishes. 11. If, as I apprehend, the time has come when you will find that, practically, you have an unlimited number of applicants from whom to select the immigrants the Colony desires to receive, the time has also arrived when you should make it clearly understood that you will exercise the closest possible scrutiny into the claims of all who apply. You will see, therefore, that Iby no means agree with you, that local agents and the certificate system sufficiently assure you of the good character of applicants for passages. 12. It is, of course, very difficult for a correct estimate of the characters of immigrants to be formed on their arrival. When an immigrant, a few hours after landing, makes his appearance in a Police Court, there is no difficulty in deciding ; but in other eases, evil principles may lie latent for a considerable period. On the other hand, immigrants landing after a long voyage, and who have a not very presentable appearance, are liable to be misjudged by those accustomed to the ordinarily smart appearance of people in the Colony. But making all possible allowances, lam constrained to say that a very general opinion exists that immigrants have not lately been equal, in character and physique, to those under the " assisted" system ; whilst it has been my desire to impress upon you that in giving free passages we have the right to exercise larger scrutiny in deciding upon whom to bestow the boon. 13. It'you ask why I do not furnish you documentary evidence in proof that such an opinion as I have indicated, does exist, I must ask you to remember that Superintendents of Provinces and others who may be expected to express such an opinion, are naturally very reluctant to do so, seeing how calculated it would be to throw a slur upon those of the immigrants by the same ship who were unexceptionable. Confidentially, there have been expressed to me opinions of the nature lam indicating. I find, too, that many whose opinions are unfavourable, hesitate to make charges, not because of the difficulty of proving them, but because they fear that their doing so would tend to make matters worse instead of better ; for the public expression of such opinions would not only have the effects I have indicated, but, by making it more difficult for the objectionable persons to obtain employment, would retard, if not prevent, any chance of their really settling in the Colony. Without naming particular ships, then, I say, as to the telegram I recently sent you, respecting the character of some of the recently-arrived immigrants, that I was moved by the conviction that a sufficiently careful selection was not being made at home, These remarks apply very forcibly to some of the single women who have lately landed, and who were selected by a person who, I believe, is acting as an agent for you. You know, also, my opinion that persons acquainted with the Colony would make the best agents, and that, had you approved, I was prepared to appoint them. Ido not now do so, because, as Parliament will meet very shortly, it would be better to seek its authority for the necessary expenditure. li. I am glad to observe that you approve of the establishment of a depot, and that you are giving earnest attention to that matter. 15. The pamphlet to which you refer has been delayed through no fault, or any absence of anxiety or exertion, on my part. The plan of the work involved the preparation of the Provincial papers by the respective Superintendents, or under their control, the desire being to give, as far as possible, a local view of the various features of the Colony. Delay in the preparation of some of those papers has caused the pamphlet to be not yet ready ; although, seeing that the work is rather a bulky one, I do not admit that there has been so much delay as may appear to have been the case. I hope to be able to send you revised sheets of the pamphlet by the next mail, and to ask you to have it printed and published at home. 16. With reference to your letter No. 922, of 14th January, in which you speak of requiring certificates from nominated emigrants, I wish you to understand that all I have said upon the general question of selection applies to emigrants nominated in the Colony. Nominations that do not involve any payment must be expected to be made, in many cases, without a large sense of responsibility, and therefore you have been instructed that every such nomination is subject to your approval. You will, of course, understand that, other things being equal, you are to prefer persons nominated here to ordinary applicants; for the former come out to friends who have sent for them, and who, it is to be presumed, are more or less ready to provide for them. I have, &c., The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. Julius Vogel.

No. 57. The lion. J. Vogel to the AamTT-GmfEEAL. (No. 95.) Sic, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 10th April, 1874. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 997, of 10th February ultimo, enclosing a report by Mr. Carter of a meeting held at Islip, and the arrangements made with Mr. Leggott, an assisted emigrant in the " Balloelimyle." I am glad to find that exertions are now being made to secure for the Colony that very desirable class of emigrants, agricultural labourers and country mechanics. These are the sort of men who, to almost any number, can be readily absorbed, and the demand for whom in the Southern Provinces continues as urgent as ever.