The Sun.
London, England, 1852-05-18 00:00:00

SUN,

LONDON,

the colonists, and when they themselves would be
certain not merely of remunerative but even of ex-
travagant wages for their services, than at its close.
The late Colonial Secretary, whose mismanage-
ment has already passed into a bye-word, was, of
course ready to defend the Commissioners, whom he
declared to have acted under his instructions. He
justified the various regulations making a distinc-
tion between mechanics and agricultural labourers,
and limiting the numbers of children to be taken.
He, however, admitted that he had directed " that as
fast as the money came in it should be expended.'
Now that direction, at least, has not been complied
with. 240,0001. is already in hand, and yet we hear
of no additional demand or even encouragement to
emigrants who might be prepared to start imme-
diately, so as to arrive at Australia before the termi-
nation of the harvest, and Lord GREY thought that
the relaxations (which he admitted to be essential),
should be made " with the utmost caution." Now,
caution is very well in its way,but under present circum-
stances, when instant relief is required, caution may be
carried too far. An inferior class, before the harvest
and the sheer-shearing, would be more acceptable
than the very best that could be selected, arriving
after the season had passed away.
But unless some stipulations be made, or contracts
entered into with the emigrants before their depar-
ture, they will prove rather a curse than a blessing to
the colony. It is not necessary to send persons at the
public expense to swell the ranks of the gold seekers.
The temptations afforded by "the diggings" have
proved irresistible to all persons in the
The same temptations would likewise attract the
new-comers, unless they were bound by solemn
obligations, any breach of which could be ade-
quately punished. .Human nature is the same in
all parts of the globe, and it is not very probable that
we shall find agricultural labourers, or Spitalfields'
weavers, or indeed any of those who may be willing
to avail themselves of the facilities afforded, prepared
to relinquish the golden opportunities before them in
order to acquire a title to the national " gratitude"--
a gratitude which might possibly be rather slow of
exhibiting itself.

If, however, the Commissioners could be induced
to travel out of the beaten track, if they would act as
private individuals of ordinary intelligence, taking
the special circumstances of the case into considera-
tion, they might with the fund now available
send out eight or ten thousand judicioubly
selected persons even within the present
month, who, in consideration of obtaining
their passages gratuitously, should consent to
serve for certain periods in agricultural pursuits,
or such other occupations as might be indicated
to them. Stringent penalties might be imposed in
the event of any breach of contract, and a short
Act of Parliament could easily be passed if addi-
tional powers were required. The persons obtaining
the much-required assistance would willingly repay
the entire outlay, so that the fund would,
for some time at least, become re-pro-
ductive. We fear, however, that, the Emigration
Commissioners will not originate any judicious or
practicable course ; and if Noble Lords or Honourable
Gentlemen are desirous of seeing their suggestions
carried into execution they should obtain a Select
Committee to inquire and report on the subject,
whose proceedings would stimulate and excite the
Honourable Board to greater exertion.
The subject has now attracted a large amount of
public attention. We trust that the deep interest
already exhibited will not be suffered to wear away
until something be effected calculated to provide the
colonies with the amount of labour so urgently re-
required, and to improve materially the position of
many of those who are enduring severe privations
here, but who would speedily acquire comfort and
independence in Australia.