DESPATCHES EROM THE SECRETARY OE STATE

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No. 41. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Earl Granville, E.G., to Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (Circular.) _ ........ g IB __ • Downing Street, 14th Eebruary, 1870. The distress prevailing among the labouring classes in many parts of the United Eingdom has directed public attention to the question of emigration as a means of relief. It has been urged on Her Majesty's Government, that while there are in this country large numbers of well-conducted industrious labourers, for whom no employment can be found, there exists in most of the Colonies a more extensive demand for labour than the labouring class on the spot can supply The result of emigration Avould, therefore, it is said, be equally advantageous to the emigrant and to the Colonies—to the former, by placing him ma position to earn an independence, to the latter, by supplying a want that retards their progress and prosperity. . Under these circumstances Her Majesty's Government are anxious to be furnished with your opinion as to the prospects which the Colony under your Government holds out to emigrants, both of the agricultural and the artisan class. I am aware that, in 1863, at the time of the Lancashire distress, the late Duke of Newcastle addressed a similar inquiry to the Governor of New Zealand, but the circumstances of new countries change so rapidly that the answer returned to his inquiry at that time may probably not represent the facts of the case now. His Grace's inquiry, moreover, had reference to a class of people whose previous occupations were not calculated to fit them for the life of a Colony, while a larcre proportion of those now out of employment are men who have been accustomed to hard out-door labour. Ido not feel, therefore, that the particulars then obtained can be regarded as supplying the information we are now desirous FThTpoints on which Aye should be specially desirous of receiving information are—the classes of labourers whose labour is most in demand in the Colony under your Government,—the numbers for whom employment could be found,—the probable wages they would earn—whether married men with families could obtain wages to enable them to support their families, and house accommodation for their shelter,—Avhat assistance or facilities would be provided to pass the emigrants to the districts where their labour is in demand—and whether any pecuniary assistance would be granted either towards their passages, or towards providing dep6ts and subsistence on their first arrival, or towards sending them up to the country. I should be glad, also, to be furnished with any additional particulars and observations which your knowledge of local circumstances may suggest as likely to be useful. 5& I have, &c, The Officer administering the GBANVILLE. Government of New Zealand.

No. 42. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Bight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G., to Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. Slß i_ °' '* Downing Street, 17th Eebruary, 1870. I have the honor to inform you that Her Majesty will not be advised to exercise her power of disallowance with respect to the following Acts of the Legislature of New Zealand, transcripts of which accompanied your Despatch No& 118, of the 13th of September last, viz.:— # ■ No 11 —An Act to enable the Superintendent of the Province of Otago to establish certain Settlements for Colonization in the said Province _ No. 13.—An Act to amend the Waste Land Regulations of the Irovmce No?^^—An Act to amend "The Native Lands Act, 1865," and "The Native Lands Act, 1867."