The Evening Star. FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2267, 12 August 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star. FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 1870.

We , have not yet done with Mr Warden Beetiiam’s report. It is not for Otago’s interest that it should bo dismissed into the waste paper basket without drawing from it every idea suggested by it. “ The district (Wakatip) is suffering greatly from the tro- “ mentions rates of cartage charged in “ consequence of the. dreadful state of u the roads : indeed we are frequently “ cut off frcftn all communication, postal “ and otherwise. This is a terrible “ drawback to our progress. It acts “ in two different directions—first as '** regards the greatly increased price of “ imported articles ; and secondly, as « regards the labor market, shutting “ \)s out .from all participation in it, « except at a-great disatlvantage. It “ increases also the rate of wages,” There fire various conclusions to be drawn from these two or three significant sentences, but at presentwe oon- • fine ourselves to that bearing Upon the organisation that we desire to see effected in connection with Immigration. Mr Beetham points to one of the greatest difficulties to be overcome —the means of cheap, rapid, and easy access of men seeding work to the • goldfields. Between the nearest extensive goldfield and Dunedin there is

a great gulfwhjch, though not impassable, is and consequently, whether 'traversed on foot or by .meanS cf a public conveyance, is too expensive for a working man to travel over on speculation. When therefore men out of work, walking about the streets of Dunedin, arc told that good wages arc to be obtained in the interior, it sounds like cruel mockery. It is holding a cup of water to the lips of a thirsty man, who is so bound and fettered that he cannot drink it. First, the man in search of work must provide himself with a swag, to serve his purpose should he be able to meet witli work in a country whore lodgings are not to be bad. To attempt to camp out in winter in this climate would be equivalent to suicide. Then, if on foot, he necessarily wades through mud at a snail’s pace per day, and must be at considerable expense through stopping at accommodation houses or inns for the night. Or if he have such confidence in the prospects of obtaining work as to take the coach, the fare and necessary expenses on the road are equal to three or four weeks’ wages. But if, instead of that, he is subjected to any uncertaint3 r , ho man would feel justified in incurring the expense. He would rather take the chance of an occasional day’s work in the City or neighborhood, and in all probability would really be a gainer by so doing. If then our suggestion of Government gold workings were adopted—perhaps as anything connected with Government is an abomination to many people, some sprightly wit could devise a moie acceptable name—the plan would be incomplete without giving the means of cheap and speedy access to them. To render them really useful, there must he no great loss of time. It is just possible that in making arrangements for cheap conveyance' to and from them, some Jealousy might bo raised if it were found necessary to provide suitable carriages, or build such shelter houses as were provided by the Government of Victoria a few years ago. We are remarkably sensitive in Otago, and not always so clearsighted as to be able to discover that what is to the interest of one, so long as it is not at the expense of one’s neighbor* must be for the good of all. So some licensed victuallers might be ready , to imagine if such necessary aids to the success of the organisation were provided, it would be so many nobblers less sold over the bar counter. We can assure him to the contrary ; for he may make up his mind that the more prosperous the working men of the Province, the more all other classes, his own included, will prosper. Pursuing the train of thought suggested by the climatic difficulties of the country, it is evident the systematic organisation rve projrose in connection with our immigration system might be made useful in other ways. Nothing strikes an observer on tire goldfields more than the difference between the comforts gathered together in one tent or hut, and the absence of them in another—and that too at an equal expenditure of labor. These variations are in most instances due to the longer experience of Colonial life of the one compared with the other. We remember well our first essay in tent life in Victoria, when after making as we thought all snug for the night, we were awoke by the wet canvas flapping upon our face, while the rain poured down in torrents, the lightning flashed, the thunder rolled, and the wind blew a hurricane. With spade in hand, amid darkness that might be felt, and no possibility of keeping a light, we had to cut a trench to drain the water from the tent floor, and then replace the tent pegs, which had drawn through no allowance having been made for the contraction of the ropes when wetted. We remember too with gratitude how much we owe to the kind help and useful information received from numbers of our neighbors whose experience had taught them how to provide against suck contingencies. We, who arc old colonists, know what must be. learned, for we have paid for it. But this is just what we ought to endeavor to render unnecessary to every new comer. We pointed out yesterday that the goldworkings we recommended might he made a school for mining. Just in the same way they may be made a training school for colonial life : an easy way of teaching men to be comfortable under any circumstances, A great deal lias been written about the disadvantages New Zealand labors under on account of the superior attractions to emigrants of America. But there, on arrival, they have to jostle and elbow their way to prosperity, if ever they attain it. It is our belief that the few who do obtain it proclaim their success from the house tops, while the failures, though twenty fold, are never heard of. But few Provinces in New Zealand possess the means like Otago of providing work for immigrants at no cost, but a profit to the community. And if, instead of thejdle, the loafing, and the discontented having it in their power to spread reports to the disad-

vantage of the Province! they': were compelled id say it is a land whel’e there is work for all, or be silent, Otago, instead of being avoided, Would be sought for as a land of promise. Will the Government move in the matter, or will they leave it to more progressive men ?,