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I am the more convinced of this from personal observation of recent arrivals, and from newspaper reports, that while New Zealand is bidding so liberally for immigrants in the labour market of the world, a higher standard should be selected. Trusting you will excuse the liberty I have taken in trespassing on your valuable time, Believe me to remain, &c, J. G. Coebett. Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 1 in No. 11. Mr. J. G-. Coebett to the Hon. the Mintstee for Immigbation. Sic, — Wellington, 12th January, 1871. In a recent conversation with the Hon. the Defence Minister, on the subject of immigration, Mr. McLean expressed himself so strongly in favour of any suggestions as to the class of people it was desirable to introduce, that I feel I should be remiss did I not go further and offer you my ideas on a subject of such importance-to the Colony. The class I suggested should be introduced was the small tenant farmer and leading farm labourer, many of whom, with a small capital, if liberally dealt with, would at once, on arrival in the Colony, settle and become producers. These, Sir, are the men whom the liberal land laws of the United States and Canada have drawn away in thousands from the United Kingdom, and who have contributed so much to the development of those countries ; and unless New Zealand can offer more liberal terms than hitherto, I fear but few will be induced to come out. The scheme I have the honor to submit for your consideration is as follows : — Laying out hamlets of lots of 10 acres, not more than forty lots in each hamlet, surrounded by a small common ; that again surrounded by larger lots abutting on the common extending outwards. To every family of whatever class 10 acres of land, without any other condition than occupation for five years. To every family which at the end of one year had fenced and cultivated the whole of the original lot, 10 acres in addition. To every family which at the end of two years had cultivated the whole of the 20 acres, 20 acres again in addition. To every family which at the end of three years had cultivated the whole of their 40 acres, a further grant of 40 acres. Thus, at the end of five years, each family which had in each year fenced and cultivated its entire holdings, would have received in all 80 acres, making cultivation, not occupation, the title to the land. Free steerage passages to all. Farmers of the better class desirous of the intermediate accommodation to pay the difference. I believe a weatherboard cottage, 18 x 12, with door and two windows, could be contracted for by the Government for about £15, and if required by the immigrant should be supplied on condition of repayment by yearly instalments of £3 ; to be considered as rent and recoverable by distraint. The cost of introducing, say, fifty families on this plan, I roughly estimate as follows : —5O men, 50 women, 150 children, say equal to 200 adults. Passages of 200 adults at £15, £3,000 ; value of 500 acres land at £1, £500 ; total, £3,500. The revenue derived from 200 adults in five years, at much less that the present rate of taxation per head, would far exceed this sum. The idea of introducing immigrants of this class, under engagement to work a stated time on the public works of the Colony, I can but view with alarm. Experience teaches me that congregating bodies of men on works engenders a demoralization never to be shaken off, as is the case on the railways in England, and nearer to us, to be seen on the diggings, and quite recently in the case of the military settlers, many of whom were well qualified for settlers, but were spoilt by their three years' service. The task of obtaining the class of immigrants I have mentioned is no easy one, nor can they be obtained at onee —many of them, being yearly tenants, can only leave on the termination of their occupancy —and much more could be effected by mixing with them, and in plain, unvarnished language (exciting no extravagant ideas) explaining the advantages to be gained, the aspect and character of the country and soil, the best way of commencing operations, than by giving elaborate lectures, one-half of which they would not understand. I would also suggest that to every hamlet or two, a schoolmaster, himself an immigrant, should be introduced, and a school-house erected at once. The different land regulations in the provinces of the North Island render the scheme I have thus roughly sketched difficult of accomplishment; but surely, with the advantages to be gained, they would unite to assist the Government in removing the great obstacle to advancement. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Immigration, Wellington. J. G. Coebett.
Enclosure 2 in No. 11. The Under Secbetaey for Immigration to Mr. J. G. Coebett. Sic,— Immigration Office, Wellington, 28th May, 1874. I have the honor, by direction of the Hon. the Minister for Immigration, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 21st ultimo, in which you enclose copy of a letter you addressed in January, 1871, to Mr. Gisborne, then Minister for Immigration, upon the question of the class of immigrants it would be most desirable to introduce into the colony. Mr. Vogel is strongly impressed with your suggestions, and will be glad if you can give him some further information respecting the class of people to whom you refer as being desirable immigrants. I have, &c, J. G. Corbett, Esq., Wellington. C. E. Hatjghton.
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