The History of New Zealand Immigration up to 1870

Abstract

The general purpose of the thesis is to make a critical survey of the immigration policies which have been adopted in this country. My original intention was to cover the whole field from the earliest times of our history to the present date, paying regard more to broad tendencies than to detailed policies; but upon reflection it appeared impossible to be certain of a right interpretation of the former without a close acquaintance with the latter. I intend to complete a survey of the "modern" period at a latter date in the hope that it will be possible to indicate a line of development in regard to immigration which will be in closer touch with the economic potentialities and needs of New Zealand than the present dangerous method of "trial and error".