The Lake Wakatip Mail. Queenstown, Saturday, March 18, 1865.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 197, 18 March 1865, Page 2

The Lake Wakatip Mail. Queenstown, Saturday, March 18, 1865.

The position of Otago suffering from the effects of loss of population is likely to become more critical than ever. We observe that the metropolitan journals speak cheerfully and hopefully of the future. They believe a very large number of those leaving our shores will return to the Province laden with spoil, and tend to replenish an empty exchequer. Perhaps, dr:ams of an Otago loan—likely to be successfully and briliantly floated off on the spot—supports this cheerful anticipation of the future. It is very delusive, however pleasant it may be to indulge in such sanguine speculations. Bankrupts are ever prone to color their rotten position, and draw largely upon the bank of Hope as a pall to cover the gloomy state of their affairs. It is well at times to form a true and faithful estimate of our position as a Province. Examination is at present fashionable in trading circles, and it cannot be objected that the affairs of a petty trading Government should be subjected also to public examination and exposure of its weak points and shortcomings. The question is, what is our present position? What tenable grounds exist to justify the expression of these hopeful views and bright anticipations ? No doubt, in reference to communities, as to individuals, the wisdom of the saying is equally true and applicable, that—" There is a tide "in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune." Such a tide once set in strongly in Otago. It reached the flood, and \va3 noticed and turned to account, but how ? Shame! that we should have to tell how so excellent an opportunity was ignobly sacrificed at the shine of a debasing ambition. The great idol of the day, which people were expected to recognise throughout the length and breadth of the Province, was known by the somewhat disrespectful, but appropriate name of the " Old Identity." The temple it was enshrined in was Dunedin. The people that flowed in paid tribute in abundance, and were surlily allowed to go and dig for gold. At the time, gold was the only object in view. Behind exclusive, and, apparently, very high minded and noble motives, the spirit of that day, resisted the inundation of an army of the ungodly. With the exception of a few earnest men, none fell into the idea of viewing gold as the great civilising agent, and acted upon it accordingly. Dunedin interests ruled paramount. The vulgar considerations of the army of "unwashed" requiring roads or lands upon which to grow their corn, their garden produce, and provender for their cattle, were scouted. The Hebrews, in the land of Egypt, were doomed to make their bricks without straw, and on like principle the unco' strangers arriving in this Province were made to labor for their gold without possessing those privileges and rights which alone can make a country prosperous. The tribute exacted has been gradually increased until, with a groan of anguish, it has become unbearable. Yet, with Dunedin views and interests still being carried out—less ostentatiously and openly however—it is expected that those who fled from the rod, and in the spirit, we suppose, which returns good for evil, will come back and kiss the hand that scourged them and exacted taxes by the , sweat of their brow. A whole army of pioneers loaded to repletion with gold, sought

bread and rest but could not find it. These went away to other countries and satisfied their cravings for a home on earth, given to all men by a far greater power than the " Old Identity." They, nevertheless, despoiled Otago. Gold is not wealth unless it is invested in industries and circulated in the country. The escort may be 100,000 ozs per week, but of what value is it to the Province if the substance goes to the agricultural districts of the Australian Colonies, or is invested in their large and onerous co-operative gold mining companies ? Are we richer for all the gold we have produced ? If so, why are we depressed at present and only hopeful for the future ? Surely if we are rich we need not lament. If we are poor and people fleeing away, our gold yield has done us no good. We cannot think miners will return, like dogs, to fawn and lick the foot that kicked them, and again pay heavy tribute. It is unreasonable to expect it. The hopeful drafts on the future in this respect are drawn without fair consideration. If another favorable opportunity occurs in Otago, we sincerely trust it will be under changed circumstances, Some of these conditions are perhaps worth a considerations from the too-ready agent of the task-masters—the Goldfield Secretary : First, then, we want roads; without these we cannot progress. The expenditure upon such roads as those of the Blueskin and the Green Island, is of minimum benefit to the Province at large. Had even the name of a track existed through that splendid valley to the West Coast, discovered by Dr Hector, what a different result would be ours to chronicle. Amongst the army of malcontents leaving us, some might have returned aud induced others to come with them. A road to the West Coast would not have benefitted Dunedin interests. These are of their own and of themselves. It is the fable of the " Belly without the members " that is being exemplified. What will it do by-and-bye when its feeders are lopped of and.perisn,

If a fresh tide does set in, for the sake of common justice, let us be a little less selfish; let the effect of legislating for the up-country districts be tried, and it will prove that, with the real prosperity of the country at heart the capital will increase in opulence and wealth. Otherwise let us rest upon no de-

lusive hopes of the return, via Dunedin, of a large population. Open Dr Hectoe's route at any sacrifice, promote a more intimate connexion with West Coast interests, and last, but not least, remove the Goldfields Secretary from the control of the goldfields and his pernicious management. With some ameliorations, we may tempt back to develope, under a better system, the indefatigable undaunted, who have fought against climate, floods, and unheard-of difficulties. Otherwise Australia will reap harvest it has not sown.