Marlborough Times. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1880.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 163, 12 October 1880, Page 2

Marlborough Times. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1880.

It is very satisfactory to hear on all sides that the clip of wool this year is likely to be a remarkably good one, both as regards quantity and quality, and there appears to be every prospect of the Home market remaining firm. As this is still the main staple product of the Colony, and is likely to continue so for many years to come, it is a matter of no small importance to the Colony, and to the pastoral districts it is particularly encouraging. The runs in Marlborough, which not

long ago had a rather unfavorable notoriety, as regarded the prevalence of scab, are getting cleaned and fenced, so that, in the opinion of experts, the j disease will be all but stamped out in this district in a short time, when an era of increased prosperity may he looked for in this direction; and this means an increase in the wealth and prosperity of the whole of this part of the Colony. There is another interest, too, which has been, lying dormant for some time past, that now appears likely to revive to some extent in this locality, namely, that of flax dressing. This industry at one time was entered upon very largely, both here and in other parts of New Zealand, but for some means or other it was not generally a commercial success, and the mills and .machinery, which had been erected in many instances at groat expense were abandoned. Of late the demand for the article seems to have increased, and there is now a market open for at all events a moderate supply. In addition to the mills previously at work here, we observe that a Wellington firm has recently leased Mr Redwood’s mill at Spring Creek, where operations'will be shortly commenced, and it is calculated that this will give employment to about thirty hands. The harvest, promises to be a favourable one .flu's year, as regards the yield and if prices do not turn out as satisfactory as we should like to see them for the farmer’s sake, yet a large number of bushels to the acre must be taken as an equivalent, to some extent. On the whole, • therefore, wo/ 'cordially agree with those who believe that New Zealand has a good, prospect before her notwithstanding the difficulties she has got into, owing to the borrowing system which has been so largely carried on for some year’s past and which, if not arrested in time* would undoubtedly have brought the i country to financial ruin. The firm stand taken by the present Government in the matter and their evident intention to'carry out a policy regulated by prudence and economy has already done more to re-establish our credit at Home, where it certainly

| appeared to be endangered at-one j time and haxl fYCiyj unfavorable conij,meats upon ft jji .some of the leading jjLoudon journals. T!ie' wibihgiliss.s " ;j witli which ffre'pedpleatW bMtfrrfrg tin* j burden of tho large-terxiition which it j lias been found . necessary to-; impose; t iry/J i rOpOliSo ;l; bOJUof’.O I Of i&j* tmsmd *)oA otit -j'S

upon, thorn is..a vci'y hopeful feature in the prospect before ins, and there certainly appears every reason to believe that when the Treasurer announces his next budget he will be able to show a surplus instead of a deficit. The policy of encouragement to local industries and manufactures, ■which we have advocated ever since this journal was started, and which we feel certain must conduce to the general welfare of New Zealand more than anything else, is to be adopted by Government. This was one of the most encouraging statements made in the recent interesting address made hy Mr Seymour to his constituents in which he reviewed the events of the last session and gave an outline of the future Ministerial policy. As regards protection to local industries, we feel sure it will meet with the approval of the great majority of the people.