A = Ai i 3; 1 ^^^ 33 = == :o 5 1 1 i : j> 4 1 7 1 =^= ^ 1 i 4 i b Cape of Good Kope Select Committee on the Governor's Recommendation Concerning Immip-ration Report THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES (JAPE OF CiOOD MOPE REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDA- TION CONCERNING IMMIGRATION. Ordered, by the House of Assembly, to be Printed, APRIL, 1856. CAPE TOWN: I'llJNTED BY !t directly and iiecessarilv follow on any addition to the population of the colony. Vour Committee are, moreover, satisfied that the increase to the revenue, in this form and from this source, [ vi ] will, beyond payino- the annual charge of the debt, be sutfi- cient to form a fund for its gradual extinction. V. Your Committee would suggest that a Bill, embracmgthe main recommendations of this report, should be introduced into the House ; and the more detailed regulations under which the Government may prop(;se that the immigration should be conducted, and which, from the frequent changes which they might necessarily require, it would nut be desirable to intro- duce into the Act, should, when framed by the Government, be laid upon the table of both Houses of Parliiiment; for their information. SAUL SOLOMON, Chairman. (Jommittee Room, '22nd April, 1856. [ vii ] PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEE. Thursday, \Oth April, 1856. PRESENT : The Hon. the Col. Secretary, Mr. Solomon, Mr. Cawood, Mr. Molteno. Resolved, That ]\Ir. Solomon be Chairman of the Committee. Committee adjourned till Monday, at 11 o'clock a.m. Monday, ]Ath April, 1856. PRESENT : Mr. Solomon, in the Chair. The Hon. the Col. Secretary, Mr. Molteno, Mr. Paterson, Mr. Cawood. Committee adjournod till Wednesday, 16th April, nt 10 o'clock. Wednesday, }6th April, 1856. PRESENT : Mr. Solomon, in the Chair. The Hon. the Col. Secretary, Mr. Molteno, Mr. Duckitt, Mr. Meintjes, Mr. Cawood. Committee adjourned till Friday, IBth instant, at 10 a.m. \ viii 1 Friday, \Sth Apr'd, \Sb6. PRESENT : Mr. Solomon, in the Cliair. The Hon. the Col. Secretary, Mr. Molteno, Mr. Paterson, Mr. Cawood, Mr. Meintjes, Mr. Duckitt, Mr. Steytler, Committee adjourned till 21st instant, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, 22nd April, 1856. Mr. Duckitt, Mr. Cawood, Report agreed to. PRESENT : Mr. Solomon, in the Chair. Mr. Steytler. [ 1 1 MINUTES. Thursday J \Oth April, 1856. The Hon. the Col. Secretary, Mr. Solomon, present: Mr. Cawood, „ Molteno. Resolved, That Mr. Solomon be Chairman of the Com- mittee, Jommittee in deliberation. Committee adjourned till Monday, at 11 o'clock a.m. Monday, \Uh April, 1856. PRESENT ; Mr. SOLOMON, in the Chair The Hon. the Col. Secretary, Mr. Molteno, Mr. Paterson, „ Cawood The Hon'ble the Colonial Secretary, at the request of the Committee, read and handed in the following document : — " I cannot give the Committee any information as to the details of the system upon which the Governor would propose to conduct immigration into this colony. The Governor, in liis speech, abstains from expressing any opinion upon them. He deems that they are a fit subject for the consideration of parliamentary connnittces, as the members, having a much more intimate knowledge than he can possess of the position and wants of the colony, will be best able to pronounce upon the class of immigrants recjuired, and the mode of introducing aud distributing them. In other colonies it has been customary to leave such details to pnrlianientary cora- ini ttees. 'IMMIGRATION 1! 2 MINUTES OF THE SELECT " Upon one point, however, His Excellency entertains a strong opinion, namely, that the colony should employ one or more agents of its own, to recruit emiorants in Europe, and that such aiienta should be active, energetic persons, well acquainted with the capabilities and resources of the colony, who should make these known extensively in England and elsewhere, and be prepareil to give information and assistance to all who seek it with the inten- tion of emij;rating hither. With a central office in London, they could avad themselves of tliC branch offices and machinery already existinor in connection with the Emifjration Commissioners, or if necessary, proceed themselves to recruit in other places. " His Excellency does not propose to confine the selection of immio^rants to natives of the United Kinudom, if it should be thought desirable to introduce persons from any other part of Europe ; and heretofore, as I am aware. His Excellency has offered in other colonies, every encouragement to immiLrration from the continent of Europe, whose inhabitants usually present this advan- tage, that they are able and willing to pay the costs of their transport. "' The following are the views which led His Excellency to introduce the subject of immigration to the notice of Parliament. Having travelled through the greater part of the colony, and having thus had an opportunity of forming an opinion as to its conditi(m and wants, he feels convinced that great resources lie undeveloped for want of a sufficient population, and that the existing population suffer greatly, and that their progress is much impeded by an insufficiency of labour. His Excellency, having a very wide acquaintance with the different Australian colonies, is satisfied that South Africa affords as great natural advantages to immigrants as those colonies, and in some respects even greater advantages; and having witnessed in these colonies the effect — the almost incredible immediate effect — of a stream of immigration, he is most anxious to turn the current into this colony. He is of opinion that, when once the channel is opened b}' artificial means — by the action of the Government, — it will be kept open and widened by the stream that will of itself flow into it ; that if the prejudice which is said to exist to emio-ration from Eno;land to South Africa IS overcome by a representation of the advantages which the colony offers, and by the appearance of a tide of emigration in this direc- tion, we may look for a considerable influx of population ; and that if the Government will take the first step, and introduce a few thousand individuals, many other thousands will follow in their wake. ' In such an influx. His Excellency sees a solution of all the present diflaculties of the colony. The present dearth of labour throughout the country will be supplied, and the competition for employment will have a bciaeficial effect upon the present labouring population, and improve the relatioo between this class and their employers. The filling up of the frontier with a European popu- lation will put an end to Kafir wars, and if it will not enable the COMMITTEE Ox\ IMMIGRATION. 3 Government eventually to do away with military and police foi'ces.. which may reasonably be expected, it will furni.'rh the re\enue - whei-ewith to support them. It will have an immediate effect u])on the revenue of the colony, and enable the Government to meet and get over the present financial difficulties. Inmiigration will add greatly to the producing, consuming, and exporting power of the colony, and will furnish both the instruments and the funds for effecting improvements in the present means of commmucal ion and shipment, so as to add greatly to the value of our existing resources. It will increase largely the value of all public and private property, and will give a value to much which is now valueless. " In proposing a scheme for introducing and settling pensioners on the frontier. His Excellency contemplated that inmiigration, which would fill up the country behind the parts at which they were settled, should form part of the measure ; and now that the introduction of pensioners is checked, it becomes more important than ever that immigration should be carried on, for the purpose of strengthening and securing the frontier. There is no lack of ap- plicants for land, even in this exposed situation : some of the im- migrants will be ready to join them ; others will occupy the places which they have left op?n elsewhere. " Cape Town and the surrounding country will feel the benefit as much as the distant frontier. Every resident has experience of the great rise which has occurred within a few years in the cost of living, and of the great difficulty of procuring labourers and ser- vants : the latter is a cause of daily annoyance and loss. How largely might the pi'oduction of grain and wine, at this end of the colony, be increased with a better supply of labour ! How many persons of capital have been forced to abandon the cultivation of land for the want of a steady supply of hands 1 How many im- portant public works and private improvements are rendered im- possible for want of sufficient and continuous labour, at a reasonable price ! " With regard to the time and mode of introducing immigrants, it does not a])pear necessai'y to bind ourselves to any one particular mode ; and there is no idea of employing at once the whole amount which His Excellency has proj)osed to apj)ly to this service. The expenditure and the charges accruing upon the loans effected will be gradual ; and each batch of immigrants will create the means, not only of defraying the cost of their own introduction, but of con- tributing; towards the means of introducing another batch. The revenue received uj)()n imj)orted articles consumed by an imiiiigiant and his family, which is much above that contributed by the average population, will pay not only the interest upon the cost of their introduction, but contribute hirgely to the rclund of the outlay. The immigrants, and .still more, lliose who follow them at their own exjicnse, will bring more or less capital into the colony. " The present moment is favourable for making an efiiut to bring emigrants from England. If the war be continued, the high prices 4 MINUTES OF THE SELECT of provisions and other articles of consumption, the increased taxa- tion, and the prospect of a conscription will lead many persons to desire to emigrate ; and if the war be terminated, a large body of men, who have acquired a taste for a more active life than they will be able to enjoy in England, will turn towards a home in the colonies. These, too, will have acquired a training that may be useful in a frontier life. " With regard to the apprehension that immigrants introduced into this colony will not stay here, but will make this a halting- place on their way to Australia, it may be observed, that to attempt to place a restraint upon immigrants adopting this course might either prevent them from coming, or fail to ])rove a restraint when arrived. The best security for their stav consists in the advantasres which the colony oifers, and which the (jovernor m his speech has pointed out. It would betray little confidence in the resources of the country to doubt, after the expression of His Excellency's opinion, that we have nothing to fear from the superior attraction of Aus- tralia. It is true, that while the excitement of the gold-fields lasted, such an apprehension as the above was fully warranted. But that excitement has passed by ; many who lett this colony at that time have returned to it. Independently of the gold-fields, Australia offers no attraction which would be superior to those presented by this colony. If immigration were to work its ordi- nary changes here — if even some were to leave, they would not be able to do so until after such a lapse of time that they would have amply repaid to the colony the cost of their introduction ; and a very small pro])ortiou of those who come will ever leave the colony. " On re-perusing what His Excellency stated in his opening speech upon the subject of immigration, I fear that I have not added anything material in support of his recommendations. There is one paragraph, however, which may admit of explanation. In speaking of the " dormant energies " of the colony, when referring to the wise use which a legislature should make of the credit of their country. His Excellencv alludes to the immense extent of country either unoccupied, or uncultivated, or only very partially cultivated, through the want of a sufficient population : and in speaking of the " accumulating and undeveloped means" existing in this colony, he refers to the large amount of capital hoarded by farmers and others in the interior, which is yielding no return, either to the individual possessors or the colony, and which would supply the moans of raising the proposed loan within the colony itself, and thus increase its wenlth by turning to account hoards which now lie profitless, independently of the innumerable benefits that will arise from the proposed employment of the money. "RAWSON W. RAWSON. "Colonial Office, 8th April, 18.56." COMMITTEE ON IMMIGK ATION. 5 Mr Paterson moved, That it is the opinion of* the Com- mittee that immigration to this colony, undei- the auspices of the Government, is both expedient and necessary at the pre- sent time. Carried. Mr. Paterson moved. That in providinp; the means of in- troducinoj European immigrants, the credit of the country should be employed through the issue of debentures, bearing a certain interest, these debentures to be redeemed aiter a certain time, to be fixed in an act on the subject of immigra- tion — Carried Mr. Paterson moved, That tenders should be called for these debentures to the extent of £200,000 (to bear interest at 6 per cent per annum), both in Londi)n and at Cape Town; but under the provision that the Government shall not issue more than £50,000 debentures during the current year, nor any furtlier amount, without a vote of both Houses ol the Legislature, fixing such further issue. Mr. Molteno moved, 1'hat after the words " £50,000 de- bentures," be inserted the words " per annum," and the re- mainder of the paragraph be omitted. Mr. Paterson's resolution was carried. Mr. Paterson moved, That the agency to be employed in recruiting immigrants for this colony consist of gentlemen deputed from this colony, wdio are acquainted with its wants, or of gentlemen who may now be resident in the mother country, but who are well acquamted with its character and capabilities. — Carried. Committee adjourned till Wednesday, the 16th instant, at 10 a.m. Wednesday, \Qth April, 1856. PRESENT : Mr. SOLOMON, in the Chair. Mr, Meintjes, „ Cawood. The Hon. the Col Secretary, Mr. Molteno, „ Duckilt, Mr. Meintjes moved, That it is the opinion of the Commit- tee that in any system of immigration it shall be understood 6 MINUTES OF THE SELECT that the immigrants shall be bound to accept service on arrival for j^ome stipulated period, and that the persons ob- taining the services of such immigrants shall pay a portion of their passage money, which shall be recoverable by deduc- tion from the wages of the immigrant. Committee divided : — Ayes, Messrs. Meintjes, Molteno, and Duckitt ; Noes, Mr. Cavvood. Resolution carried. Resolved, That a vessel should be simultaneously dis- patched to Table Bay and Algoa Bay ; that arrangesnents should be made for applications for these immigrants being received prior to their arrival, and for their distribution through the different divisions of the colony. Committee adjourned till Friday, the 18th inst., at 10 a.m. Friday, ]Sth April, I85(j. present: Mr. SOLOMON, in the Chair. Mr. Meintjes, ,, Duckitt, „ Steytler. The Hon. the Col. Secretary, Mr. Moiteno, „ Paterson, ,, Cawood, The Hon'ble the Colonial Secretary, at the request of the Committee, handed in the following papers: — B, Return of immigrants introduced in this colony under the Immigration Regulations of the 10th July, 1844, and 8th May, 1845 C, Abstract of the Passengers Act ; and D, Bounty Rules. The Colonial Secretary moved, That, in the first instance, provision be made in the system to enable colonists to send for any particular parties which they niay require to intro- duce under the Government scheme : such colonists to (^ome under certain engagements with Government, and that the particular parties so introduced for them shall, from the day of arrival, be at their cost and responsibility. —Carried. COMMITTEE OX IMMIGRATION. 7 Mr. Paterson moved, That no portion of the expenditure for im migration shall be applied to the defraying of expenses on board anv ship or ships, exceptino- such as may neces- sarily be incuned for a superintending surgeiin, in addition to the cluiigesfor each immigrant int oduced. — Carried. l\Jr. Paterson moved, That a special Government agent be appointed at Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, for the pur- poses of carrying out the Government immigration scheme at these points; these agents to put themselves m communication with the divisional council, or local immigration committees, on the subject of the labour required. — Carried. The Colonial Secretary moved. That the chief oljects to be secured under the immigration scheme are a supply of labour and an increase of population, as pointed out in the Governor's speech. The classes of immigrants introduced should embrace, first, agricultural labourers of all descriptious, shepherds, and mechanics, andsecondly, such other immi- grants as will promote the filling up of the colony, both in the Eastern and Western divisions. — Carried. The Colonial Secretary moved, That, in order to prevent imniigrants from remaining unemployed at the port of arrival, at the cost of Government, some public works should be car- ried on, at or near each port, on which such innnigrants may be profitably employed until they find an engagement with piivate parties. — Carried. Committee adjourned till 2 1st inst. (Monday), at 10 a.m. Tuesday, 'I'lnd April, 1856. PRESENT : Mr. SOLOMON, in the Chair. Mr. Duckitt, „ Cawood, Mr. Steytler. Draft report submitted by the Chairman, and read as follows : — rVHE SELECT COMMITTEE appomted by the House 1 of Assembly on the 1st April, iHoCj, — " 'Jo take into consideration and report upon that portion of the Governor's 8 MiNTTES OF THE SELECT speech which recommends the Legislature to sanction the commencement of Immigration to this colony, under the auspices of the Government, and to authorise the Government to raise, for the purpose, the sum of £200,000, by the sale of debentures, bearing interest at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum,"' have to report that they have fully considered that portion of ilis Excellency's speech referred to them for con- sideration and report, and they are of opinion, — 1. That immigration from Europe to this colony, at the pre- sent time, under the auspic(^s of Government, is both expedient atid necessary. 2. That the chief objects to be secured under the immigra- tion scheme- sliould be two-fold, viz., to provide a supply of labour, and to «dd to the general population of the colony. 3. That the classes of immigrants to be introduced should embrace, first, agricultural labourers of all descriptions, shepherds, and mechanics, and secondly, such other immigrants as will promote the filling up of the coun- try, both in the Western and Eastern divisions. 4. That provision should be made in the first instance, under proper limitations, to enable persons desirous so to do, to send for any particular parties whom they may wish to introduce; but that such persons shall enter into an engagement with Government that the parties so introduced by tliem shall, from the day of arrival, be at their cost and responsibility. 5. That in any system ot immigration, it shall be provided that the immigrants shall be bound to accept service on arrival, for some stipulated period; that the persons obtaining the services of such immigrants shall repay to the Government a portion of their passage money, and that the amount so repaid, shall be recoverable by deduction from the wages of the inj migrants. 6. That a vessel should be simultaneously dispatched to Table and Algoa Bays, and that arrangements should be made for applications for these immigrants being re- ceived previously to their arrival, and for their distri- bution through the different divisions of the colony as soon after their arrival as possible. COMMITTEE ON IMMIGRATION. 9 7. That special Government ao:ents sliould be appointed at Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, for the purpose of carrying out the distribution of the immio-rants at these points ; and that these agents should put themselves in communication with the Divisional Councils or local Immigration Committees, with a view of arrang- ing to supply the labour which may be required in their divisions. 8. That the agency to be employed in recruiting immiorants for this colony should consist of persons deputed from the colony, who are acquainted with its wants, or of persons resident in the mother country, but likewise acquainted with the character and capabilities of the colony. 9. That no portion of the expenditure for immigration should be applied to the defraying of expenses on board any ship or ships, beyond the expense of each immigrant, excepting such charges as may necessarily be incurred in providing a superintending surgeon. 10. That in providing means for this scheme of immigration the credit of the country should be employed, through the issue of debentures, bearino- a certain rate of in- terest, and these debentures should be redeemed, after a certain time, to be fixed in the act which shall pro- vide for their issue. 11. That tenders should be invited both in London and at Cape Town for these debentures, to the extent, in the whole, of £200,000 ; tliat they should bear int(^rest at the rate of 6 per cent, per ann., but that the Gov- ernment should be restricted to the issue of debentures to the amount of £50,000, and no more, during the current year ; and the Government should not issue any further debentures until authorised so to do, by a vote of both Houses of Parliament. II. To prevent immigrants from remaining unemployed at the port of arrival (if applications for them should not come in so fast as is expected), which might entail a considerable expense upon the public, without any corresj)on(bng advan- tage, your Committee are further of opinion that it would be desirable that some public works should be commciifcd, and carried on at or near each of the ports beloremenlioned, 10 MINUTES OF THE SELECT and that unent^aged immigrants should be employed on these works till engagements are entered into by them with private employers. Your Committee, however, do not recommend that these works should be immediately undertaken ; and they make the suggestion, simply with the view of bringing under the attention of the House the way in which your Committee believe that such of the immigrants who should remain for any time unengaged, might be (without additional expense) employed with great advantage to the colony. III. Your Committee do not think it necessary to dwell on the advantages likely to result to the colony from the adoption of such a scheme of immigration, as they now recom- mend. These advantages have been clearly pointed out in the Governor's speech, and your Committee believe that His Excellency has not exao-oerated them. Your Committee be- lieve that such an immigration, economically and judiciously conducted, would go far to meet the present large demand for labour ; would, in a short time, afford the best means of defence for the frontier; would increase the value of waste lands, as well as, generally, the value of the landed and other property of the country ; and would increase, to a very great extent, all the productive resources of the colony, IV. Your Committee, notwithstanding the fact that the revenue of the colony is likely to fall below its necessary ex- penditure, recommend that this scheme of immigration should be commenced with as little delay as possible. The funds raised for this purpose will, in no way, interfere with the ordinary finances of the colony, and the annual charge of the loan which it is proposed to raise will be met by the increase in the customs revenue, which must directly and necessarily follow on any addition to the population of the colony. Your Committee are, moreover, satisfied that the increase to the revenue, in this form and from this source, will, beyond paying the annual charge of the debt, be suffi- cient to form a fund for its gradual extinction. V. Your Committee would suggest that a Bill, embracnig the main recommendations of this report, should be introduced into the House ; and the more detailed regulations under which the Government may propose that the immigration should be conducted, and which, from the frequent changes which they might necessarily require, it would nut be desirable to intro- COMMITTEE ON IMMIGRATION. 11 duce into tlie Act, should, when framed by the Government, be laid upon tlie table of both Houses of Parliament, for their information. SAUL SOLOMON, Chairman. Committee Room, 2:2nd April, 1856. Mr. Steytler moved, That section No. 5 of the draft report be omitted. — Carried. Mr. Steytler moved, That in section No. 11, the word '' both " after " invited," and the words " and at Cape Town '' after " London,"' be omitted. — Carried. Report, as amended, adopted. — (See Report). The Chairman was instructed to brmg up the Report and Minutes this afternoon, and to ask the House that the same may be printed. SAUL SOLOMON AND CO., BTLAU I'UINTINQ OFFICE, CAI'i: TOWN UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below Cjaulord ^= GAYLAMOUNTD PAMPHLET BINDER Syracuse. N.Y. Stockton, Colit. f -1 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY ill! AA 000 514 714 5 JV 8900 a6 18^6