The Lyttelton Times. Saturday, January 8.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XI, Issue 644, 8 January 1859, Page 5

The Lyttelton Times. Saturday, January 8.

In a general Government Gazette of the 18th November, 1858, there appeared certain returns, of which we gave a summary in our issue of the 18th ult. Amongst them was a return of imports and exports of the several Provinces of New Zealand, for the quarter ended 30th June, 1858, which stands as follows:— - -• ' • / ■

This summary we published without comment, and should not have reverted to the subject, but for the outcry that the return appears to have occasioned at Auckland. Here we look on a statistical return as an interesting1, and useful document, but do not consider it likely to advance or to prejudice our position in the world. There, on the contrary, comparative returns, showing the progress 'of the different provinces, are watched with a' very jealous eye. This is not wise. Strangers are apt to suspect that where there is so much inclination to quarrel with facts, and to attempt to explain them. away on false and contradictory grounds, there is some reason for the uneasiness shown. We do not believe that there is any good reason for this uneasiness on the part of Auckland; but if the inhabitants of that province wish to satisfy people at a distance of the soundness of their position, they must ffive up that querulous self-assertion which is always breaking out in cries for separation $nd silly jealousy of the other provinces. A. curious proof of the contradictions into which people are led by such fi spirit is now given by Auckland. Whilst the majority of its representatives in the Provincial Council have emphatically declared in their petition to the Queen for separation, that "no colony was ever more completely separate and distinct, physically and socially, from all other colonies than id the colony of Auckland from each of the other five colonies of New Zealand,'' the press and its correspondents point to the large inter-provin-

cial trade in which Auckland is concerned, and which does not appear in the present returns.' Which of thoso allegations is correct P ; t Other provinces too could show an inter-provin-cial trade, but they don't expect to sco it figure in a return which is one of Now Zealand exports and imports. This province could complain of the official value placed on exported wool for tho purpose of theso returns, whereby our exports would bo shown to be much under valued. But what is the uso of all this p Canterbury peoplo depend on the resourcos of their province and the energy of its inhabitants^nnd cavo more to coinparo their progress this year with that of last year, than to compare their position at any given time with that of a neighbouring province. Depend upon it that such a spirit of self-dependence is more conducive to the unity of the colony than the most careful and frequent comparison made in a spirit of jealousy. The quartor alluded to was our wool quarter*' and tho season was so late that a large portion of the wool thatwbuld ordinarily have been sent away in the previous quarter appoared in this return. This ought to be some consolation to Auckland; it isnot painful to us to acknowledge it. We are getting on very satisfactorily; if official returns let out that fact wo cannot help it; nor can we forget it. But we shall be delighted to see Auckland outstrip us; for if it. does, the prosperity of New Zealand from north to south will be marvellous indeed, We hope our northern neighbours will in a like manner be pleased by the return of exports from Canterbury during tlie ensuing year. We can promise them a still more satisfactory, return than the one nowbefore us.

. bouls. Adults, Chief Cabin 11 equal to u Second Cabin 17 „ nj steerage ..I...... 10 „ io Giovt. Immigrants ..;...... 389 ' n 270 Total souls .........377 302J

imports. exports; Auckland 102,451 35,945 New Plymouth 4,214 2,310 Wellington 67,574 66,626 Nelson 50,006 ...*. 24,604 Canterbury..-. 59,450 .' 92,338 Otago 23,153 31,661