3

D.—2.

I perceive from the cablegram that you have also one to the same effect. If Her Majesty's Government are prepared to relieve the unfortunate distress which prevails throughout this country by assisting some of the unemployed to emigrate, I shall be happy to place my services at your disposal for selecting such of the number as you propose to send to New Zealand. You are doubtless aware that for some years past the New Zealand Government have assisted annually a large number of persons to emigrate to the colony. I have no difficulty in obtaining as many emigrants as tho means at my command enable me to send, in fact, the number of applications is many times in excess of that which I can entertain. It is unhappily the case that there prevails throughout the country a frightful amount of distress, owing to there not being sufficient employment offered to the working-classes. This is constantly under my notice through the communications I receive from different parts of the country. The Government of New Zealand are evidently under the impression that Her Majesty's Government must be aware of this unfortunate condition of affairs, and that they would be willing to remedy it by lessening the number of the unemployed by finding passages for them to a colony where their labour will be in request and well remunerated. The demand to which I have already referred for passages to New Zealand is so large that it must be well worth the while of Her Majesty's Government to co-operate with the Government of the colony to find the means to remove persons who are starving here for want of employment, to a country where their future will be secure. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, Agent-General for New Zealand. The Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Mr. E. Wingfield to the Agent-General. Sib, — Downing Street (no date). I am directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th instant, transmitting the copy of a telegram received by you from the Premier of New Zealand, stating the ability of that colony to absorb 6,000 able-bodied adults from the unemployed working-classes. Orr the receipt of a similar telegram from Sir George Grey, the suggestion of the New Zealand Government was communicated by Sir Michael Hicks Beach to the Local Government Board, for the information of the Boards of Guardians, who have the power of promoting the emigration of poor persons at the cost of the rates at their disposal. The Secretary of State does not, however, anticipate that any considerable number of desirablo emigrants would be likely to be sent out in this manner, and, as at present advised, Her Majesty's Goverirment do not propose to take any special measures for promoting emigration to the colonies. I have, &c, Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G. Edwabd Wingfield.

Exteact from the Manchester Evening Neivs, 27th March, 1579. " TnE Clerk (Mr. Macdouald) said Mr. Basil Caire, Local Government Board Inspector, had informed him that he had received a copy of a depatch addressed to the Colonial Office by the Government of New Zealand, to the effect that 0,000 men were required in the colony, arrd that their passage out would be paid by the Colonial Government. The Chairman thought the information should be widely circulated, and the Clerk was instructed accordingly."

Extract from the Liverpool Mercury. Bad Times. —The Liverpool Mercury says, —"Owing to the 'bad times,' the usual May-day dinner will not be giveir to the Corporation carters this year. At the Health Committee on Thursday a proposal to distribute £100 among tho men was rejected by six votes to four. Another sign of ' bad times' is a statement made at the meeting of the Liverpool Workhouse Committee on Thursday, that the number of wants relieved last week was believed to be the highest on record. It was reported at the meeting of the Manchester Board of Guardians on Thursday that 3,932 persons had received outdoor, and 3,941 indoor, relief during last week. The Clerk said the Local Government Inspector had informed him that 6,000 men were required in New Zealand, aud that their passages w7ould be paid by the Colonial Government.

Exteact from the Manchester Evening News, 27th March, 1879. Manchester Board of Guardians. The weekly meeting of this Board was held this morning at the Workhouse, New Bridge Street, Mr. H. J. Leppoc presiding. The following are the relief returns for the week ending Saturday last: —Outdoor, 1,159 cases, 3,932 persons, aud £312 7s. sd. irr cost; being a decrease on the previous week of 73 cases, 208 persons, and £31 9s. 9d. in cost, and an increase on the corresponding week of last year of 625 cases, 2,390 persons, and £203 4s. Id. in cost. —Indoor —Workhouse Hospital, 1,091; Crumpsall Workhouse, 2,193; Swinton Schools, exclusive of 138 belonging to other townships, 709: total, 3,941 ; last week, 3,930 ; corresponding week last year, 3,591. —Vagrants, 261 ; last week, 211; corresponding week last year, 228.—Fever patients, 1 ; last week, 2 ; corresponding week last year, 7. The Clerk (Mr. Macdouald) said Mr. Basil Cane, Local Government Board Inspector, had informed him that he had received a copy of a despatch addressed to the Colonial Office by the Government of New Zealand, to the effect that 6,000 men were required in the colony, and their passage out would be paid by the Colonial Government. The Chairman thought the information should be widely circulated, and the Clerk was instructed accordingly.