MR. MILESbegged to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Act passed by the Legislature of New South Wales to regulate the inducting of assisted immigrants and others in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, and their employment in the colony for a certain time after their arrival therein, had been allowed; and if not, whether it had 405 been left in operation, without confirmation or disapproval; or whether the provisions of the Act were left in abeyance?
MR. PEELsaid, the Act in question was to have come into operation some time ago, but it had remained in abeyance up to the present time, in consequence of there being no funds in New South Wales applicable to emigration; but very lately, the sum of 100,000l. had been received from that colony for the purpose of assisting to send out emigrants, and the Commissioners were endeavouring to carry on emigration upon the principle approved by that Act, namely, that emigrants should be sent to the colony, and on arriving there be required to make a money payment to defray the costs of the advance made to them, or else that they should enter into contracts of service for stated periods.