IMMIGRATION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 57, 30 May 1874, Page 7

IMMIGRATION.

This question engages at present a great deal of public attention. The ship " Asia" and the ' Otago Daily Times' are, to a great extent, responsible for this state of things. Unfortunately for the immigrants themselves, and for immigration from Ireland, the " Asia" brought us a few very undesirable colonists. Probably other immigrant ships might be debited with as many of the same class ; but, as these happened to come from England, Scotland, and ,the Northern Nations of the Continent of Europe, little was said in reference to them. There was a grumble, a slight expression of dissatisfaction in a few instances, and there the matter ended. But it would seem as if, in the estimation of some of our contemporaries at least, immigrants from Ireland should be better than other people, and, consequently, as soon as a couple of hundred Irish immigrants are, for the first time, landed in Dunedin, and it becomes known that some amongst them are not likely to become good colonists, an outciy is at once raised that cannot but be injurious to the people themselves, and Irish immigrants generally. The 4 Otago Daily Times ' was the first journal to give public expression to the indignation so generally felt by those who are opposed to any addition to our population that is not derived from the North of the Tweed ; and |led off with a statement that 33 of the females who came by the " Asia" had been inmates of a Reformatory in Cork. This statement is not true, for there is no Reformatory for females in either Cork city or county ; but it did its work well, creating a strong prejudice against all the immigrants from Ireland by the •' Asia," and disquieting the public mind. For many obvious reasons this is greatly to be regretted. The true state of the case was undesirable enough, without having tacked to it this injurious calumny. There is no doubt that between thirty and forty persons came by the " .Asia " from an Irish workhouse. Any one who is acquainted with the mode in which the English Govern - ment insists that Irish workhouses must be conducted, i.s aware that no more efficacious system for the demoralization of a people subjected to its influence could be devised. To call these institutions workhouses is quite in keeping with the systetn, which is a huge imposture. It is only on the lucus a non principle they can be designated by this name. Instead of being self-supporting, or nearly so, as they ought, they are a grievous burden on a heavily taxed nation ; and what is still more shameful, only two-pence out of every shilling poor rate is spent in supporting the pojr, whilst the balance goes to pay a staff of officials, &c, to administer these two-pence. As to the work that is done in them, and the training- of boys and girls, what shall we say 1 No doubt reading, writing, and arithmetic are taught, but there is no training calculated to enable people to earn their bread in the great world, should a chance of their doing so present itself, as in the present instance. With the exception of the boiling of potatoes and porridge, there is nothing in the cooking line to be met with in them. The training necessary for domestic service is impossible within their cold, cheerless walls. Why, a boy has no opportunity of learning to be a porter, groom, or farm laborer. The workhouse system of Ireland is the opprobrium of the English Government. From our hearts we pity thp unfortunates who have been shovelled out of workhouses into the colonies. We have seen some of them, have witnessed their utter helpnessness, their inability to earn their bread, owing to their ignorance of the most ordinary domestic duties ; and. in some instances, their listlessuess and disinclination to work. To send such people to the colonies is cruel to themselves, and unjust to the colonists.

As we are in hopes that what we write may be read bysome in Ireland, we shall now enumerate the classes of emigrants from that country that would be certain to succeed here. First, domestic servants, who really know their busi-

ness, can calculate on finding situations at once at salaries varying from £35 to £45 per annum, in addition to board and lodging. Secondly, farm servants, young, healthy, and active, --men who are willing and able to work, and understand what farm labor means, can easily find employment at £50 per annum, besides board and lodging. On the public works at this moment, ordinary laborers are earning from eight to ten shillings per diem, of eight hours' work, and such employment is abundant. Again, young and intelligent agriculturists, who are prepared to rough it at first, and who have some capital— say from £500 1 to £I,ooo— can obtain land on very easy terms and could by prudence and industry raise themselves in a few years to great independence and comfort. To a certain extent, tradesmen of all sorts might come to this colony Of course, it would be possible for too many to come : but there is employment at high wagea for a great many more tnan are here at present. tt -Fl/TF 1 / T^ m^ te of the colony is excellent; people from the United Kingdom would find in the Provinces of Otago and Canterbury a climate very similar to that of the home country, only not quite so cold ; whilst in the northern province, people from the southern states of Europe might suit themselves. • 6 But broken down gentlemen and professional men ought not to emigrate to this colony. Such could not benefit themselves by doing so ; they could find no employment in this country, and could not expect to meet with much sympathy amongst a hard-working, energetic race of colonists as the New Zealanders are.

We may add, in conclusion, that bread, meat, &c, are to be had at low prices. With the exception of house rent, and servants, living is much cheaper in New Zealand than it is in the United Kingdom.