The Evening Star THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2344, 6 October 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1870.

There have been various theories of colonisation at different periods, that looked so charming when broached, as to lead to settlements being founded for the purpose of canning them out in practice. Some were intended to be the abodes of Christian love, some of cfpiality, some of political freedom, some nurseries of Episcopalianism, some of Quakerism, some of Independency, some of Presbyterianism. But somehow in every case, although to a certain extent tinged with the prevailing sentiment that led to their first organisation, they gradually became resolved into communities in which every style of thought and creed is represented. South Australia, Canterbury, and Otago were originated by different sections of professing Christians, but their progress has been independent of the first idea. The fact is, tlmt all new settlements have pretty much the same difficulties to overcome, and these are mainly industrial and physical. Creed may tend to the liberty or bondage of the mind, hut human wants are pretty much the

same everywhere—food must be raised, clothing obtained, and habitations built. The industrial evolution of society depends upon the degree of intelligence with which labor is employed ; and in this respect almost every Colony has proved itself lamentably defective. It seems very singular that men in these old days of the world have not yet arrived at some definite truths respecting industrial organisation and mutual rights. They have been compelled to labor from the beginning of human existence j but still we have squatter and farmer, capitalist and laborer, at variance. Those who govern are overruled by those who are governed ; where there ought to be freedom, there is restriction ; where measures ought to be based on knowledge, there is groping where forethought ought to lead, the future is left to chince. It would seem, in spite of thousands of years of experience, that men love to tight about these tracts of inhabited country, rather than combine to render them the abodes of plenty and comfort. They can organise, combine, contrive and wield the most powerful destructive engines in Avar : millions of money are A r oted Avith lavish Avantonness for war, Avhen for peace purposes a feAV thousands Avould be grumbled at. In the Avar of the French Revolution, England spent twelve hundred millions of money ; yet in peace it Avas Avith the greatest difficulty one hundred thousand pounds could be obtained for educational purposes. Now avc must not suppose tliat we have left all this Avronglieadedness behind us ; for if avc need protection in these Colonies, it is protection against Avrong ideas. We must recollect that avc Avere born amongst them, and that much that Avas applicable to institutions Avhich Avere useful at Home, is inapplicable or out of place here. Amongst other wrong notions, is one that because at Home men know where to go and seek Avork, they are to bo left to do the same here on their arrival. 11 I hold,” said a very intelligent young man, “ that “ Government is bound not to inter- “ fere, but that men must find Avork “ for themselves.” We too hold that Government is bound not to compete in the labor market; but Ave hold also that if a Government, not only without loss to a community, but Avith a positive gain, can provide temporary means of employment, so that not one single man able to work need be idle during the year, it is bound to make such an arrangement. Professor Heakne says :

We may expect to find, in conformity with the law of evolution, the earlier stages of the political organisation marked hy that want of distinctness which is characteristic of imperfect development. We may also expect to find the several parts of the organism becoming at each advance more defined and more coherent. Accordingly, in the earlier stages of society, the functions of the sovereign, and the projects respecting which he ■exercises them, are very numerous. He is at once father, chief, leader, judge, and priest. All the territory and all the natural agents which it contains are at his disposal. All the improvements made .thereon must be made at his command and under his direction. He exercises his authority on all subjects with which the head of t}jc family deals.

Now although we have advanced fur "beyond this stage in many respects, there is something that must be considered primitive and peculiar in. our position. The limit of Government interference with us is with matters of general interest, and immigration and the employment of those who are here are matters of vital importance. In a community of fifty thousand, .the enforced idleness of a .couple of hundred men for two or three months in a year is a serious matter. It is a waste of productive energy equal to at least ten thousand pounds. Supposing a grant were asked of that amount for the prospective relief of the poor, what a long discussion there would he in the Provincial Council. Saving men, spending men, narrow-minded men, liberal men, philanthropise men—all grades of men—would consider it a very serious question. It docs not matter that that sum is freely and handsomely voted under different names. We have become accustomed to Benevolent Institutes and Hospitals ; and we readily grant that with proper measures no such yofe is needed. Although in high quarters the idea of falling back upon our goldfields when men need employment, lias been poohpoohed. wc still hold it feasible, Where Chinese can make their fortunes, English and Scotchmen may at any rate live until they can find something better to do. There should he Government claims worked at minimum wages —claims not worked so much for profit, hut to give employment, without loss to community, or competing with employers of labor. The Provincial Council is about to meet, and our late difficulties point to the necessity for enquiry, The labors of a Select Committee of intelligent men may be well employed on the subject.