THE IMMIGRATION POLICY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 72, 12 September 1874, Page 6

THE IMMIGRATION POLICY.

Once again the immigration authorities are at their wits' end, and the arrival of a couple of passenger-laden vessels has placed them in the same dilemma from which they have so recently escaped. Notwithstanding the experience so forcibly brought home to them as to the necessity of there being always adequate provision for the reception and accommodation of immigrants, no steps seem to have been taken with a view to avert a recurrence of the inconveniences so loudly denounced a short time since. A considerable interval has now elapsed, since the arrival of the Caroline and other vessels proved the totally inadequate arrangements made to meet the influx of passengers who armed about that time, but beyond making an effort to meet the emergencies of that occasion, and providing for the necessities which then arose, nothing has been done, and no care taken to meet the exigencies of the future, llie most ardent admirer of immigration must be compelled to admit that the system in operation for carrying out its provisions, if not radically wrong, is capable of much reform. The bad feeling existing between the head ot the Government and the Agent-General has made itself apparent m a variety of ways, and has had anything but a beneficial influence on the Colony. Dr. Feathebsxone had been instructed by the Commissioner of Immigration to forward a certain number of immigrants, and although the letter of the instruction may have been followed, and the exact number authorised despatched, the inharmonious working of the department, and the injudicious and illjudged manaer of doing so must of necessity have a detrimental effect. Instead of a regular and healthy stream of immigration flowing at such intervals as would allow of the absorption of one batch before the arrival of a second, the prevailing custom has hitherto been to so time the departures ot vessels as almost to secure a simultaneous arrival. As a necessary eousequence, a vast amount of inconvenience and trouble has beeu the result, which has unhappily been greatly aggravated through want of forethought or energy iv facing the difficulty. Knowing, then, the little care exercised by the agents at home in this respect, it is but natural to suppose some measures would have been taken to counteract— or, at least, to mitigate— its ill effects. The prevailing policy, however, seems to have been to trust to chance, but unfortunately on this, as on a tormer occasion, the chances have not been fortunate. This method of meeting the difficulty may be very comfortable and philosophical on the part of those who are not called on to share any of the ills or inconveniences arising out of such a treatment of the matter, but it is scarcely fair to those most interested, and not at all creditable to the i boasted resources of the Colony. That we should take such pains to turn the tide of emigration to our shores, and yet make so little preparation for the reception of those whom we have induced to cast their lot with ours, and make this Colony their home, must be rather inexplicable, and appear somewhat of an anomaly. The necessity which exists for the compulsory detention of passengers on board a vessel after her arrival in port, is one of tte strongest proofs of the inadequacy of the arrangements, and one which calls for immediate reform; for independently altogether of the inconvenience thereby entailed, the status of the colony suffers materially by so ill-condi-tioned a state of affairs. Although it must be confessed much i of the mismanagement which has arisen may be attributed to a want of unanimity between the heads of the department, yet the local authorities are in a great measure culpable, inasmuch as being duly advised of the deP i? r il e i° each VQSse1 ' suffici cnt precaution and foresight should have been exercised to counteract the mistake of the home office.

Another matter in connection" with the subject of immigration may be briefly touched on here. In former issues ot this journal we advocated the advisability of the Provincial Government employing a portion of the funds at their disposal in the erection of suitable dwellings for the daily increasing population. This, we are glad to say, has to some extent been carried out. Houses have been so erected, which no doubt have proved a great boon in the present dearth of house accommodation, but we regret to say they have been jumbled together in a manner totally regardless of health or comfort. The houses erected on the Anderson's Bay road are such as, had they belonged to a private individual, would have been certain to have called

down reprobation in his devoted head, if he escaped prosecution under the Health Statute. Exposed on all sides without the slightest fencing, and without ground for yards and dust-bins, the modest sum of sixteen shillings per week has been asked by our paternal Government for each tenement. The argument may be adduced that the Government are justified in taking advantage of the i>re sent prosperous state of the Colony in recouping theni* selves for their outlay, but we think differently, and be" lieve that to thus trade upon the necessities of the unfor* tunates who are compelled to accede to their terms b« they ever so exorbitant, is neither politic, generous 'nor