The Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1870.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 301, 28 December 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star. WEDNESDA Y, DECEMBER 28, 1870.

One of the most interesting notices of motion held over for consideration after the recess bears the name of Dr. Stratford, whose proposals generally have the characteristic of being unostentatious and thoroughly practical. The purpose of the motion is the encouragement of the production of wine, and if it have as a result the fair trial and ultimate establishment of this industry in the province, Dr. Stratford will have done good service to the cause of temperance and the general interests of the people. There cannot be a doubt that in climate and soil there are the conditions present for the successful growth of the viue, and for the production of a wine possessed of qualities not found in the Australian growth, and there is no reason to doubt that the high character of some insular wines may be produced in New Zealand. It is well known that some of the largest and finest grapes have already been produced here, and though in particularly exposed districts, the vines would require a certain amount of shelter from the coldest winds, there are numberless localities to be found where the growth could be carried on to any extent without any evil effects arising from exposure. There is a peculiar feature in vine culture that makes it especiallydesirable for acclimatisation, that is in its not requiring, at least in certain kinds of vine, anything beyond the poorest and least productive of soils, some of the finest wine-producing vines having as their habitat soils unfitted for the profitable production of anything else. While the plains and low lying and more fertile soils are available for all other kinds of agricultural industry, there is scarcely a hill-side which may not be made to teem with what will conduce to the health and comfort and riches ol the people. One of the boldest strokes of policy made by the the Victorians was in Mr. Gavan Duffy's scheme for grants of land for the promotion of the growth of new and untried products, and it is sincerely to be hoped that Dr. Stratford's proposal is but the first of a series. The Albury wines have already made a character for Victoria, and there is no reason to doubt that we may ultimately produce as good, if not in some respects a better product from our mild and equable climate. And in the interests of social morality we inayfairly hope that,with the cheap and general production of a healthful and harmless beverage, we may reproduce the experiences of all wine-growing countries, aud destroy that vitiated taate for fiery stimulants, which is the social bane of all British communities.