H.—9

1878. NEW ZEALAND.

CULTIVATION OF TOBACCO IN NEW ZEALAND, AND EMPLOYMENT OF COOLIE LABOUR. (CORRESPONDENCE WITH MR. E.C. BUCK, DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE IN THE NORTH WEST PROVINCES OF INDIA.)

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

No. 1. The Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister for Immigration. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 25th February, 1878. I have the honor to transmit copy of letter which I have received from Mr. E. C. Buck, the Director of Agriculture and Commerce in North-West Provinces of India, on the subject of the cultivation of tobacco in New Zealand, and the employment of coolie labour in connection therewith. I also enclose a copy of my reply to Mr Buck's letter, and shall be glad, if the Government desire to take any action in the matter, to become the medium of communication with him. You will observe that the opinions I have expressed in my letter to Mr. Buck are my own, and that I have in no way committed the Government. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. Agent-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 1. Mr. E. Buck to the Agent-General for New Zealand. From E. C. Buck, the Director of Agriculture and Commerce, N.W. Provinces, India aud Oudh, to Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G., &c., dated Nynce Tal., North-West Provinces India, the 12th of October, 1877. Subject — Emigration from India to the Colonies. Sir, — Department of Agriculture and Commerce, N.W.P. and Oudh. I had written the accompanying note some two or three weeks ago, but circumstances occurred which delayed my despatching it. Iv the meantime your letter to the Times has appeared, and although I have not had the opportunity of seeing the letter, yet I have heard enough to make me understand that the purport of it is a recommendation that emigration of surplus Indian population to some of the English colonies should be promoted. The fact of your having publicly expressed your views to this effect encourages me to believe that you will treat the accompanying note, and the suggestions it contains, with consideration. The proposals which the note contains were, however, intended for the advantage of New Zealand, rather than for the advantage of redundant Indian populations. If both ends can be obtained, so much the better. If you consider the project as prima, facie one which cannot be undertaken, I shall be inclined to abandon it, as, from the knowledge which I, of course, obtained during my visit to New Zealand of your work in that country, I have every faith iv the soundness of your opinion, and know that you have courage to adopt any course, however novel in its character, which is likely to benefit that country. Still I venture to hope that you will allow the questions I bring forward to remain open for further discussion. Yours truly, E. Buck. I—H. 9.