THE MAORI MESSENGER. Auckland, June 17, 1852.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume IV, Issue 91, 17 June 1852, Page 2

THE MAORI MESSENGER. Auckland, June 17, 1852.

We have considered it an especial duty, in our conduct of the "Maori Messenger," to direct the frequent attention of its native readers to the influence sure to be exercised over tlic Agricultural countries of the Southern Pacific by the immense tide of population flowing towards the gold fields of Australia ; and by the abandonment of the certain fruits of productive toil by men impatient to become rich by an uncertain and unhealthy search after gold. The diminution of tillage in consequence of the depopulation of the agricul-

lural anil pastoral districts of Australia, taken in conjunction' with tltc imperative requirements for food caused by the shiploads or people daily arriving from every quarter of the world, are now beginning to he sensibly felt; for although the compulsory labour of convicts will, no doubt, be the means of a certain amount of production in Van Dicmen's Land, yet it must be obvious to all, who know anything of the unskilful character and lazy indifference of convict labour, that it never can be putin any degree of successful competition with the sturdy and anxious toil of the free and honest yeoman. Wc have striven earnestly in impress upon our native farmers that by the patient and persevering culture of their own fair and fertile soil they will infallibly derive a much larger share of the golden spoils of Australia than they could ever hope to acquire by adventuring in the fierce and uncertain scramble which is converting the gold fields into a disgusting scene of misery, privation, and crime. Tho endeavours which wo have used to incite the native people of New Zealand to profit by their own vast available industry, may be appreciated at its just value, when we tell them thai the government of Queen Victoria, sensibly impressed with the great and growing demands for food thai musl inevitably arise,, have been organizing measures to induce an extensive emigration to Van Dioincn's Land, so that the culluro of its soil may be greatly enlarged, and thai island, if possible, be rendered llie great corn marl of ihc Southern Ocean. Now, if tho necessity of such an extended culture be obvious lo the Queen's government, it must surely convince the native farmers that the " Maori Messenger" has all along been pushing and pressing them to prosecute acourso the most sure to accomplish the enrichment of individuals, —the most infallible lo advance the prosperity of Now Zealand ? With respcel to Van Dicmen's Land, a long and extensive acquaintance with every portion of thai country enables us to affirm that it cannot hope eventually lo compete with New Zealand, even in the production of wheal, in which it. has hitherto surpassed it. Even the pastoral portion of Van Dioincn's Land is small; much of that, from the high internal range of the country, and tho consequent severity of the climate, being merely available for the summer pasturing of its overcrowded flocks and herds. In such localities, cultivation is altogether out of the question; and even were cultivation, in such situations, practicable ; as Van Dicmen's Laud possesses none of those internal navigable creeks and rivers so universal in New Zealand, the very carriage of corn to a port of shipment would equal if not surpass, the price at which, in New Zealand, it might be profitably sold. With the exception of a few inconsiderable and doubtful patches, the productive soil of Van Dicmen's Land may be safely affirmed to be mostly under culture. Willi respect to lire cultivable soil of Now Zealand, il may, on ihc contrary, be unhesitatingly affirmed lo be as yet but very triflingly broken up. Millions of fertile acres arc untouched ; —and the abundant

means of supply not only for a dense population at home,but for the sustenance, l>y exportation, of a dense population in the neighbouring colonies, invite (he combined energies and industry of the native and European fuishanduicn. These arc cheering prospects for the great future station which New Zealand is destined to occupy in die civilized world, [t depends much upon the present industry of the native land owners to advance that mighty futtire. Great progress has been made, and is still making, Until last )'ear, New Zealand was, if not a wheat importing, an extensive flour importing country. Lust year she became, on a small scale, a wheal exporting country. Her fanners obtained liberal prices for their produce, and every encouragement to perseverance was held out. This year the prospect of profitable exportation is also good, fur the (lour and wheat markets nf the Australian Colonics are not only remunerative but rising. All these arc strong inducements to Spued the Plough ; anil, as we are again in the midst of seed lime, we cannot sufiicicnlly inculcate the deep imparlances of breaking up ground in every direction, so that should the Austratralian Colonists at any time clamour for food, they may be answered in the like cheering language that Jacob was answered uf old " There is corn in New Zealand." Willi Van Dioiiicu's Land, the lill'e trade We once possessed has almost entirely ceased; and as that trade was principally confined to (hi; importation of flour, potatoes, and the like, its cessation is a matter of benefit lo this country. Willi Sydney, hilhcrlo, our principal trade has boon conducted; and although we have no doubt that thai trade will go on annually and largely extending, yet, we have recently entered upon a trade with Melbourne, the capital of the great and flourishing province of Victoria, which it will bo Ihe fault of our native farmers if il be nol materially and beneficially extended. Two vessels, the "Glencoe" and (he "Zillali" have recently sailed for Melbourne with fit'l carries of colonial produce; consisting of oats, maize, cheese, butter, onions, potatoes, hams, bacon, limber, Kcc. ; and other vessels, we feel confident, will b c likely to follow. If the natives are wise, they will by untiring perseverance, increase and multiply the means of freighting these vessels. This Is the way lo acquire the gold of Victoria and to advance the prosperity of New Zealand. The culture of golden grain is Ihe most certain m cans lo the acquisition of golden coin. Now is Ihe moment for the native yeomanry to win and wear the frtiils of native exertion. Let the watchword by which England rose to greatness bo the watchword of New Zealand. We cannot too oflen enforce it. Thai watchword is SPEED THE PLOUGH.