The Globe. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1876.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 785, 27 December 1876, Page 2

The Globe. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1876.

A paper was lately read at a meeting of the Wellington Philosophical Society by Dr. Newman, a gentlemen of considerable repute in certain English scientific circles, —which has created a good deal of commotion. The paper in question was entitled “ Speculations on the Physiological Changes obtaining in the English Kace when Transplanted to New Zealand,” and its general object was to prove that man from a physical point of view, degenerated in New Zealand, through climatic and other influences. It was not to be thought for one moment that so startling a theory propounded in so public a manner by one qualified to give weighty opinions on such scientific subjects, could fail to produce some sensation. It did more, it put on their metal a number of our local scientists who, as a matter of course almost, rushed into battle prepared with arguments to demolish Dr Newman’s novel propositions. The subject, or rather the paper treating of it, was discussed at a meeting of the Philosophical Society at Wellington, whereat all that the capital city or its neighbourhood could produce in the shape of scientific lore, was mustered for the occasion. A perusal of the proceedings recorded on that memorable day, forces us to the conclusion that the balance of evidence as well as of argument there and then elicited, is very much against Dr. Newman’s theory. That learned gentleipan made several repli-

cations to what was contended against the views expressed in his paper. One was that colonial youths who went to the English Universities were not capable of doing the same amount of work, and did not possess so great a stamina as the English youths. Another, that the death rate of towns in New Zealand, notwithstanding the superior condition whereby population was more fairly distributed in proportion to area, was higher than the death rate in English towns. Mr. W, T. L, Travers, who took a prominent laid in combating the Doctor’s theories, argued against them in two ways, Ist, That the privations and hardships which miners, explorers, and others undergo, and the endurance for which they have always been noted, show that in New Zealand there is no deficiency of vigor. 2nd. That animals thrive here on what they could scarcely live on in England. It can scarcely be said that this second argument of Mr. Travers is a pertinent one to the point at issue, which involves the deterioration or otherwise of the human race. Dr. Hector, the chairman of the meeting, urged that Dr. Newman had not made his case good, and quoted from death rate statistics which, he said, showed that morality in England is 22 in the 1000, while in the colony it is only 16 in the 1000. To that statement he added that the death rates of the towns in New Zealand is very large, varying from 85 to 22 per 1000, while that in the country districts only 12 per 1000. Here Dr. Hector, we think, played into the hands of his opponent, as this second comparison proves simply that the country districts are more healthy than the towns. But as there are more towns, and those of a much larger size indeed in England than there are in New Zealand, it follows that these towns, and not the climate, account for the increase in the mortality bills. Mr Carrutbers’ testimony in favour of New Zealand was much to the point. He, as Chief Engineer of the Colony, stated that from his experience in the public works, the work done by the New Zealand navvy is 30 per cent more than that done in England by similar men. Speaking as Mr Oarruthers does from absolute practical knowledge and not basing his views from purely theorical deductions as Dr Newman does, his evidence is entitled to considerable respect. Captain Mair and Mr Young spoke at length in support of the objections raised against the contents of Dr Newman’s paper, but what they said can scarcely be considered of much weight. Eor instance Captain Mair argues that as the Maoris can come up to the “ average weight and height of English born persons ” on inferior food, therefore the climate of New Zealand must be better than that of England. Then he goes on describing a Maori whom he knew, who “ measured 6ft 6ias in height, and 67ins round the chest!” The gallant captain must clearly mean the abdomen instead. However, it might as well be argued that the Chinese race is one of the most favored by climatic influence, in point of size, etc, because we know ofone,Choukiezie, or of one Chang, whose inches are told off by feet! Mr Young makes assertions merely such as that no whaling captain in Tasmania will engage Europeans for his crew if he can get native-born men, as the latter have greater endurance. Dr Newman immediately demolishes it by answering that he can prove that captains of whalers will not take New Zealanders when they can get Europeans ; so the matter rests between the words of these two gentlemen. The evidence after all, with the exception of that given by Mr Travers and Mr Carruthors, is not of a very valuable nature. Yet regarding the question as a whole, we can fairly be content with the conclusion that New Zealand colonists are not necessarily inferior in physique to their friends at home.