ACCLIMATISATION.

Evening Post, Issue 197, 25 September 1865, Page 2

ACCLIMATISATION.

Acclimatisation is the pre-eminent w.int of New Zealand. There are but few animals indigenous to the soil, and they are useless, and the great variety of indi^en-nn plants are inapplicable to the wants of m.i.i. Our seas abound with many kinds ot fish, but few of them cun be pronounced very yood. 'Die wonder, therefore, is tlwt the leading members of the colony have not given a portion of their time and means to this great wurk, which has already proved of such vast bern-fit to the human family. True, Acclimatisation Societies were formed in Otago,Chrißtohurch, and Auckland, but beyond the introduction ot a few sheep, rabbits, and pheasants, they have done nothing. But perhaps it was not altogether the fault of the gentlemen who have moved in the matter that they did not do more. Without the support of the people and the Government, Acclimatisation Societies can do but little, for the work they undertake is an expensive one. The support of the people, however, once given, tliat of the Government would soon follow. The ' Taamanian Government and Victorian Accli-

matisation Society have set us a goodl£*£ ample in this respect, and their efforts Iflfe been productive of beneficial results ; alraSpS many useful plants, animals, and fishe^^l have been introduced. Among the latter the salmon, a feat which after ages will value something like they now do the potato. At present the salmon fisheries of Great Britain are of great value. The annual profits of the Duke of Richmond'B fisheries on the Spey have been stated before Parliamentary Committeeß by both the late and present dukes, to amount to £13,000 a year. The actual rental of three Scotch fishery districts, the Tay, Sppy, and the Dee, and the Don, of Aberdeen, amount to ±'40,000. The return for Ireland was pat, some years ago, at only £200,000 a year, but it ia since probably double. These are chiefly on the rivers of Galway, the May, at Ballina, and the Ban. It is estimated that with proper care the annual return of the fisheries of the United Kingdom may be close upon £2,000,000 sterling, and all this it must be remembured, is sheer profit. The fish are inexpensive, the ocean and rivers pay their little bills, and every one taken out of the water is so much profit ; and when it is considertd that nearly all the vegetable plants, iruit, animals, and poultry now used for food in England, and made sources of profit to the country, are not indigenous to the soil but were introduced, we may by comparison form some idea of the benefits to be derived fro v acclimatisation. When the Romans discovered Britain it was little more than a barren island. What is it now, and what is acclimatisation doing for it still. It is increasing the varieties of food and bringing, them within the means of all classes of the people. Does it not therefore seem to be the duty of all governments to. help on the work as fair as. in them lies, but especially the duty of this Government ta do bo. But the matter must first be taken up by the people ; that done, the Government will doubtless render due assistance. "Let then some of the leading members ofthe community take the matter in hand at once. Let it .be brought before thu House in due form, and that assistance obtained which if properly used will be beneficial to the entire community.