The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY). WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1881.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 6301, 22 June 1881, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY). WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1881.

Theee are some provisions in the Irish Land Bill now being debated by the House of Commons which may have an important influence on the Colonies belonging to the Empire. What the Colonies have been doing for many years for themselves the Imperial authorities now propose undertaking in the interests of the Irish people. What Mr. Gladstone proposes to do is to aid the indigent and energetic to emigrate from Ireland to other lands where the struggle for existence is not so hard as in the land of their birth. When introducing the Bill in the House of Commons he said, “There is another subject which cannot be omitted—l mean the subject of emigration. It is impossible for the Government to pass it by. At the same time it is a matter on which there should be great caution. There may be a well regulated emigration which may possibly be carried on with great advantage to all parties. Taken in that view we include emigration among the purposes for which public advances may be made It may be asked what is to be the amount of these advances. Well, we have much considered that matter and we have thought it our duty not to attempt to place any limit upon the amount which Parliament may think it right to give.” A little further on in his speech he is still more emphatic, when he says, “Ho merely pecuniary limit ought to be fixed as long as the bounds of prudence are respected.” Turning to the Bill itself, a wider scope is found to be given to emigration than would appear from the opening speech of Mr. Gladstone. Clause 36, which deals with this question, reads as follows The Land Commission may from time to time, with the concurrence of the Treasury, enter into agreements with any person or body of persons having authority to contract on behalf of the Dominion of Canada, or of any province thereof, or on behalf of any State, or British colony or dependency, or any State or other district in such dominion, province, colony, or dependency, or on behalf of any public company or other public body with whose security the Land Commission may be satisfied, for the advance by the Commission by way of loan out of the moneys iu their hands of such sums as the Commission may think it necessary to expend in promoting emigration from Ireland.” There is little doubt but that the emigration proposals of the Government will be approved by the Imperial Legislature. Mr. Gladstone’s proposition opens another way of dealing with the Irish difficulty. Unable to control the people in their own land, he would rid the country of them by wholesale emigration at the country’s expense. But the question arises whether the gift would be worth having, at least in Hew Zealand. It is not a pauper discontented class that is wanted here, but intelligent agriculturists, manufacturers, and mechanics, who, having carefully weighed chances, emigrate of their own free will and accord. We may he sure that if Great Britain pays for emigration it will be in her own interests, and not in those of the countries to which the emigrants may he sent. Those will be sent away that it is most desirable to get rid of, and there can be no question but that an effort will be made to reduce pauperism as well as to thin the ranks of the disaffected and seditious. To Canada, with her vast areas of unoccupied lands and inhospitable climate, such immigrants, _or indeed any kind of immigration, would be heartily acceptable. And so with the United States and, in a lesser degree, Australia, immigration almost of any kind is always welcome. But it is different with New Zealand. Possessing limited lauds, an unrivalled climate and abundance of resources, she may, above all other colonising countries of the world, venture to pick and choose in immigration. What is wanted here is quality combined with quantity, and this must be borne in mind when the liberality (?) of the English Legislature in providing emigrants, “ all for nothing,” finds effect. As much as this and no less is demanded in the interests of generations to come. Although the proposed new measure deals only with Ireland it may be surely predicted that, if it becomes law, it will in time be extended to all parts of the United Kingdom, and will he used to purge the country of pauperism. Eor that, and that only, iu the way of emigration will the British tax-payer consent to pay. This, of course, would be somewhat modified in connection with Ireland. Nothing almost would be grudged to settle the Irish difficulty, and if the wholesale deportation of the inhabitants of the South and West were demanded, there would not be much time lost in counting the cost. The cry would be, “ Away with them! ”

A return has been prepared and laid upon the table of the House of Representatives on the motion of Mr. Whitaker, showing (1) what real property has been dealt with under and by virtue of section 8 of the High Schools Reserve Act, 1880, the nature of any such dealing ; the amount received in money by the trustees of any property so dealt with ; and the manner in which such money has been applied. (2.) What mortgages (if any) have been given by the trustees of any of the reserves, or the profits of any investments made out of any moneys accruing from the sale of any reserves ; the subject of the said Act, under and by virtue of clause 12 of the said Act. The return is as follows : -(1.) “No real property has yet been dealt with under and by virtue of section 8 of the High Schools Reserves Act, 1880. The Tiinaru High School Board, the Otago Boys and

Girls High Schools Board, and the Southland Boys and Girls High Schools Board have been informed that the Governor will be advised to sanction the sale of their endowment reserves, on the Government being satisfied with the upset price of the land and other conditions of sale, and on receiving assurance that the provisions of sections 10, 11 and 13 of the Act will be strictly regarded. (2.) No mortgages have been given by the trustees of any of the reserves under and by virtue of section 12 of the said Act. The Southland Boys and Girls High Schools Board have been informed that the Governor will he advised to sanction its borrowing a sum not exceeding £I2OO from the Bank of New Zealand on the security of the sale of the reserves proposed to be sold and all other revenues and income of the Board.