Superintendent's Office,
Wellington, 6th December, 1872.

Sir,—

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th instant relative to immigration.

The establishment and maintenance of a large and continuous stream of immigration to New Zealand for the next few years is, in the opinion of the Provincial Government, of the most vital importance; without it the Public Works Policy cannot be expected to succeed as it otherwise would. If these views are in the main correct with regard to New Zealand generally, they apply with especial force to the North Island. Entertaining these opinions, it would have been satisfactory had you been enabled to inform me that the aggregate number proposed to be sent out during the year 1873 had been at least double that mentioned in your letter—although I readily admit that the number intended for this Province is fully as large as it is proportionately entitled to.

Outside the normal absorption of immigrants in the labour market of this Province, respecting which I am not at this moment sufficiently informed to be able to advise you effectively—in regard to which, however, I will institute early enquiries, and communicate further—I would observe that any advice upon the question of distribution of immigrants will depend upon the question of the localities in which railway works may be expected to be carried on, and also on the question of suitable blocks of land for settlement.

On these two points I observe—

1. That the prosecution of the tramway from Masterton to the Manawatu Gorge is of great importance, and that the proposed line passes through land well adapted for settlement.

2. That there is a block of thirty thousand acres north of Waitotara, to which I drew the attention of a former Government, and respecting the settlement of which I believe the views entertained by the Provincial Government were sound; and if I thought that there was a hope that the proposals formerly made would be likely to meet with acceptance I should be glad to have a conference with the Government.

I beg to assure you, on behalf of the Provincial Executive of our sincere desire to co-operate with the Colonial Government in carrying out the great Colonial policy of Immigration and Settlement.

I have, &c.,

WILLIAM FITZHERBERT,
Superintendent.

The Hon. G. M. Waterhouse,
Premier.

No. 407.

Colonial Secretary's Office,
Wellington, 13th December, 1872.

Sir,—

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant on the subject of immigration to the Province of Wellington, and other matters connected therewith.

If your Honor is of opinion that the Province of Wellington can readily absorb a larger amount of immigration than has been allotted to it for the coming year, the Government will be happy to reconsider their decision.

It is the desire of the Government to provide a continuous and steady flow of immigration, not violently affecting the labour market, &c. While desiring to proportion the supply of labour to the demand, they recognise that, not only in the interest of the labourers themselves, but of the Colony, it is better that the supply should be within the demand than that by an overflow of the labour market the unemployed should be led to seek occupation elsewhere; and I have every confidence that in advising as to the number of immigrants to be introduced in the course of the succeeding year similar views will influence your Honor’s opinion.

While not controverting the opinion expressed by your Honor as to the desirability of prosecuting the tramway from Manawatu to Masterton, I may state, and probably your Honor will agree with me, that in the present state of public works it seems premature to take any action in the matter.

I have, &c.,

G. M. WATERHOUSE,
For Hon. Colonial Secretary.

His Honor the Superintendent,
Wellington.