The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1868.

Dunstan Times, Issue 329, 14 August 1868, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 1868.

Beneath tli c Rule of Men r.XTTr.r.r.v .ivst the pen* is MiGirraEnfcliau theswoßP.

cupation under the Agricultural Leasing Regulation-', the promoters of the Dunstan Flour 31 ill Scheme would do well to infuse a little more spirit into their undertaking, and at once come to some definite arrangement as to where the 31 ill is to be erected, and when it is likely to be in active operation. If the Mill cannot ho establish ed under a Joint Stock Company,

surely, there exists sufficient private enterprise to add so necessary an adjunct to the success of agricultural operations in this Distiict as a Flour mill would be. It must lie thorough" ]y understood that unless the farmers are supplied with the means of converting their wheat into flour, it is not likely that any will he grown, and to wait till there is wheat to grind before proceeding to the erection of a mill, is a suicidal policy ; in this case, the mountain must be taken to Ma hornet, and not Mahomet to the mountain. Persons before taking up land, and putting in a crop, naturally will ask themselves, what they are to do with the proceeds ef their industry ? and they are not likely to turn that industry into any channel where there 's every probability of its being unproductive. Agricultural pursuits cannot be much further developed, unless a market is created for that indispensible article of consumption in the shape of flour ; win at is the staple product upon which the prosjierity of the cultivator of the soil must build his success, the production of which must, if the country is to become settled, form an important branch of industry. The growing of oats, hay and potatoes, is already overdone, the supply being in excess of the demand. Leaving out the great disadvantages attend ant upon these description of crops, from there being no market for any large quantities at any given time ; the farmer, unless he is possessed of considerable means, finds it impossible to carry on operations without involving himself in liabilities, merely be cause his produce is inconvcrtabla into a circulating medium. His stock may be worth three times the amount of his indebtedness, but that avails him nothing when he cannot sell it. Did the produce of his farm consist of wheat, and there was a mill in the district to grind it into flour, he would experience no difficulty whatever in converting his produce into ready mo" ney, that being a 7 stap!e article of con sumption; it is always saleable at something approaching to its cost of production, while in many instances, the profits in growing it are exceedingly large. The growing of wheat in the Dunstan district would not only give employment to a large additional population, but keep the money at home, now sent away for the purchase of flour ; it would also advantage a number of tradesmen and mechanics, that under present circumstances fail to find employment in professions suited to their tastes and capabilities. An increase in the number of agriculturists would cause a corresponding increase in the number of citizens and laborers. A crop of wheat is the re suit of the employment of men and material, the outlay for seed being an insignificant item in coniparrison to the outlay required, before the crop resolves itself into a two or a four pound loaf. Additional emp'oyment for the people is the only means by which the up-country districts can be benefited. With an additional population things would all be much cheaper, because, under present circumstances, there is not sufficient population to keep up a healthy competition among the venders of necessaries of life. Prices are high because there is such a little amount of business doing ; but, were the reverse the case, everything would be practicable at much less rates, and the venders themselves be much better off by reasons of the increased business they would bo doing, A Flour-Mill is of vital consequence to the success of thedisfcrict. Experience has proved that we have plenty of land capable of growing most luxuriant crops of wheat. This land is now open for occupation, and there are plenty of people ready and willing to settle themselves down to the duty of cultivating it, providing they can only find a market for their produce. It therefore behoves thecommercial community to come forward, and make the best of the opportunity that is now at their disposal, and by assisting the cultivators of the; soil, they will find that they are assisting themselves likewise. The grower of wheat can-

not exist solely by the consumption of his own produce. He must have other to support himself than bread. The storekeeper in this case, instead of merely supplyingthe miningcommumty with imported goods, would find customers in the agriculturists also, and there would exist two customers where now there is only one. Other districts have made the effort to grow their own wheat and grind it into flour, and have succeeded almost beyond their expectations. Surely what others have done could be done here by us; and if we will only setabout it with a will, there is little fear but that the object will be accomplished.