The Globe. TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1878.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1295, 14 May 1878, Page 2

The Globe. TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1878.

The Minister of Immigration lias written to tlio Agent-General on the subject of encouraging capitalists to take up the manufacture of beet root sugar in Now Zealand. Ho points out that the Government of the colony offer a bonus of £IO,OOO towards inducing the commencement of this manufacture in this colony, and requests this fact to bo made public in the United Kingdom and the Continent. Ho reminds Sir Julius Yogel that experiment has proved that beet can be successfully grown in the colony, and that ho has every reason to believe that if a payable market could bo found for it, there are farmers in various parts of the country who would produce it to an extent sufficient to manufacture a great part of the sugar required for homo consumption. The Minister of Immigration is of opinion that our agriculturalists now bring to bear upon the cultivation of the soil the best mechanical appliances the world can produce, and so the great objection at one time raised against the successful cultivation of the beet is removed. He thinks that the time has come when wo can profitably manufacture sugar, to supply other markets than our own. The Agent-General is therefore urged to bring the matter under the notice of capitalists, in the hope that some one may be induced to embark in the speculation. Now we cannot help thinking that there is an absurd tendency on the part of some of our public men to exagerate the importance of establishing manufactures of the kind alluded to. The industry under notice may in course of time be successfully established in the colony. But a capitalist would have no security, after spending money on the erection of a manufactory, that ho would be supplied with the root by the farmers. Our agriculturalists are wide enough awake to their own interests to cultivate what pays them best, aud might at any moment leave the manufacturer himself to grow the roots ho required. There is another point which should not be lost sight of. Could the new industry exist, if the present duty on sugar were removed ? If it could not, wo should have the vicious question of protection raised at an early date. It would bo urged that an industry in which so largo an amount of capital was sunk should not bo allowed to die for the want of a small duty, aud more than likely the protectionists would win the day. Wo need not say that were this the result, the whole of the taxpayers of the colony would find themselves placed in the position of having to contribute to the existence of one or two manufactories. It must not bo forgotten that if sugar of equal quality to that made in it could bo imported into the colony, our mercantile men would do it. The moment it can be made aud sold at a loss price here than it can be imported, the tariff begins to act as a protective one, and ceases to produce revenue. Yet the only rational argument which can be used for the imposition of an import duty on sugar and such commodities, is that it can be relied upon to produce a certain revenue. Therefore, before inducing any English capitalist to enter upon the speculation wo hope the Minister of Immigration will have the honesty to make the policy of his Government widely known. A cardinal point in it is, that the duty on the necessaries of life must be reduced as much as possible, if not actually abolished. Therefore, any one entering into the speculation must be prepared to compete with the imported article admitted duty free.

Whatever may Too tlio result of the present negotiations hotweeu Grout Britain and Russia, we hope the colony will not relapse into careless indifference about the question of defe ice. The spectacle presented hy Wow Zealand lit the present moment is certainly not a dignified one. In spite of the earnest appeals of a few, tho progress of the war between Russia and Turkey was watched with the utmost unconcern. The by no means unlikely contingency, that our own country might bo dragged into the struggle, apparently o’avo the Government not the slightest uneasiness. The Premier, only a very short time ago, attempted to justify the inaction of his Government on tho ground that tho money could be much hotter spent than upon useless fortifications. But a change began rapidly to come over tho opinions of some. Journals wlip-h only a short time ago could find no fault that the Premie* 1 said, began to see *hat ]jsff bU then' iaight be some »»the view's <a those

avlio urged the need of defence. And no at avo have a perfect outburst of patriotism on the part of those hitherto blind worshippers of the powers that ho. The Otago Daily Times, for example, indulges in the following tall writing on the subject. We ask the Government to remember that the present is no time for shilly-shallying—- “ heroic” measures must be resorted to, and the man who refuses to fit himself for fighting, if need bo, is unworthy of being called an Englishman. Let us remember that however jright-minded our people may be—if they are sent into action undrilled and unarmed, they will receive such a check as will be fearful in its consequences to themselves and others. There is not a moment to be lost. A few sergeants capable of teaching us to use torpedoes and to construct batteries, would be a mere bagatelle as regards expense, and if our people are worth their salt, it would not be long before we should know a thing or two which would bother an enemy. Half measures are always injudicious and injurious. Lot us do one of two things—either stand in the presence of an enemy in an attitude of cringing servility—an attitude hard for an Englishman to learn ; or fully armed and drilled, ready, able, and willing to protect our mothers, daughters, and sisters from the saA'agery of an unbridled soldiery. Which shall we choose ? Lot Government speak the Avord—and it is their duty to take the lead —and a willing people will answer, “ We were not born to servitude, and we will endure any sacrifice rather than put on the livery of disgrace.” Now wo have no wish to throw ridicule upon honest conviction, however expressed. Wo only wish to point out, that if such a stylo of argument is intended to convince the Government, it should have been used long ago. Had Avar been declared the other day—and feAV thought the calamity Avould be averted —what position would avo have occupied ? While wo Avere waiting for our guns and ammunition, the mischief would ha\ T e have been done. Therefore should Avar he avoided, let those who have the honor and good name of their country at heart, rest not, until the colony is rendered safe against any such disaster in the future. But they must expect no aid from those journals which, in the prospect of immediate danger, have boon Avorking themselves into a state of hystirical excitement.