c.—c

No. 3. Memorandum from fclio Agent-General to the Hon. the Minister of Lands ra Emigration of Pensioners. 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 29th July, 1887. Referring to my letter No. 1,036, of the Bth instant, I herewith transmit Times [22nd July, 1887] report of the discussion which took place in the House of Lords on the question brought before it by Lord Sandhurst, relating to the emigration of pensioners to New Zealand. Walter Kennaway (for the Agent-General).

No. 4. The Aobnt-Genebal to the Hon. the Ministeb of Immigration. Sib, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 14th December, 1887. I beg to enclose an extract from to-day's Times [14th and loth December, 1887] respecting a proposal for the Imperial Government to lend British Columbia £150,000 for the purpose of emigration to that colony. I have had further conferences with Lord Sandhurst on the subject of pensioner settlements in New Zealand ; and his Lordship, in concert with other noblemen and gentlemen, has just prepared a scheme for submission to the military and naval authorities, which I have discussed with him, and of which I hope to send you a copy soon. At present he tells me it is private and confidential. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Immigration, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

No. 5. Tha Agent-General to the Hon. the Ministeb of Immigeation. Sib, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 31st January, 1888. In continuation of my letter of the 14th December, No. 1,910,1 now bog to enclose a copy of the scheme lately prepared by Lord Sandhurst and a Committee of the Association for promoting State-aided Colonisation for the Formation of Pensioner Settlements. You will see that in his letter to the War Office Lord Sandhurst refers to the passage in the Financial Statement which evinces the desire of the Government to take part in such a scheme. I have had frequent conversations with Lord Sandhurst about his proposals, and shall be glad to hear by cable whether they are favourably considered by you, as they will be discussed soon in the Imperial Parliament. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Immigration, Wellington. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure. Lord Sandhubst to the Undee-Secbetaby of State, War Office. My Lobd, — 29, St. James's Place, 3rd January, 1888. I have the honour to forward for your consideration a skeleton scheme in connection with the subject of pensioners' emigration. It will be within your recollection that I brought the subject under discussion in the House of Lords, in the form of a motion for papers, in July last, in reference to the Colony of New Zealand, where the homestead settlement exists, and where the pensioner settlements formed by Governor Sir G. Grey proved successful. The enclosed scheme is not drawn with regard to any special colony, but its terms are applicable to all. On page 2 [see below] is an extract from the Financial Statement of the Premier of the newly-elected House of Representatives in New Zealand, which shows a desire on the part of the Colonial Government to take action in the matter. I venture to forward the enclosed scheme for your consideration, in consequence of your favourable reply on the 21st July last —viz., that the subject should receive further attention at the hands of the Secretary of State. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, War Office. Sandhurst.

Extract from Financial Statement by Major Atkinson, Premier of New Zealand, 7th November, 1887. " The time also apparently is favourable to the establishment of pensioner settlements. Much interest is being taken in this subject by leading men in the United Kingdom, and a good deal of thought and attention has been given to the details of a scheme by a gentleman in Auckland, who has devoted a large amount of time and energy to the matter. The Government are of opinion that every effort should be made to induce a considerable immigration of this class of persons to the colony. As an essential means towards accomplishing the above important objects,—and, indeed, the settlement of the country generally,—the Government propose to amend and simplify the landlaws, and, as far as possible, make them uniform throughout the colony ; to allow selectors full freedom of choice as to tenure ; and above all, and as the dominant idea, to enable the bond fide settler to get possession of, and a title to, his land with the least possible delay and expense. It is, perhaps, desirable here to declare that the Government fully recognise the wisdom of the principle which has been acted on since 1879-80 —namely, that the proceeds- of the disposal of our lands should be treated not as ordinary revenue, but as a special fund for opening up the country and promoting settlement."

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