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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 71

Passage Money in Relation to Capital. — An Important Concession to Settlers

page 49

Passage Money in Relation to Capital.

An Important Concession to Settlers.

When enterprising men—particularly those with families—decide to try their fortune in one of the British dependencies, they too frequently jeopardise, if not sacrifice their future prosperity, by proceeding to the Colony which can be reached at the smallest expenditure in passage money. This false economy which has proved

A Serious Pitfall

to so many, has too often incurred the greatest hardships to settlers, who, through their own misjudgment or the persuasion of some ardent emigration agent, have had to reside in climates wholly unsuited to their constitutions, and where the conditions essential to successful industrial occupation are lacking. It is then realised that the comparatively trivial advantage gained by the low rate of passage money, is far outweighed by the climatic disadvantages or the increased capital, required to combat less favourable circumstances.

This aspect of the emigration question has recently engaged the attention of the Agent-General of New Zealand, who has long held the opinion that, although New Zealand possesses so perfect a climate and a soil of unsurpassed fertility, yet many thrifty settlers have hesitated to proceed page 50 thither owing to the passage money being disproportionate to their capital. This disability has now, to a great extent, been removed, the New Zealand Shipping Company having, in response to the urgent representations of the Agent-General, consented to sacrifice a large proportion of their passage money in the furtherance of the interests of the Colony.

Substantial Reductions

in the existing rates have been agreed and will be accorded to applicants, whether married or single, eligible under the regulations detailed below. A special intermediate class has been established for families.

For the present the Agent-General is only prepared to recommend reduced rates in the case of persons possessing fixed incomes, or a capital of at least £100, with an additional £50 for each child over the age of 12 years.