The Manawatu Standard. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. MONDAY. AUGUST 31, 1885. PROSPECTS IN SOUTH AMERICA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 1442, 31 August 1885, Page 2

Manawatu Standard. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. MONDAY. AUGUST 31, 1885. PROSPECTS IN SOUTH AMERICA.

From various sources we learn that the River Plate country m South America, is occupying a considerable share of public attention just now as offering very advantageous inducements for the investment.of capital m the purchase ot land for pastoral purposes. From jin interesting letter of a London correspondent we gather that Captain 'Baldwin, of Dunedin, accompanied by Sir John Hall, ex-pre-mier, have been on a mission of inquiry and investigation to the River Plate country, and have expressed themselves very favourably with regard'feo its resources, capabilities and future prospects. Sir John Hall's tour seems to have been more of a pleasure jaunt, as he did not stay long m the country and contented himself with principally visiting " show" places, or m other words, localities which tourists would resort to when on pleasure bent. Captain Baldwin, on the other hand, made an extensive inquiry into the possibilities of the various provinces as sheep country. He arrived on the Plate from Rio de Janeiro m March, and after visiting the river Uruguay, Baiida, Orientale, and other districts, m all of which he was received with the greatest hospitality, he passed through the south west district of Buenos Ayers, where he saw some of the finest land m the world. 1 1 comprises a block about 100 miles by 150 m extent, and carries between 25.000 to 30,000 sheep to the league (6600 acres), or m other words four sheep to an acre. This land fetches ,£20,000 a league easily The most interesting portion of his visit was when he called on a MiDavid Shennan, an ex-New Zealand colonist, who is the great man of his province. He owns two of the finest " estancias' in the country on one of which the house alone cost £ 10,000. Captain Baldwin speaks m glowing terms of the stock and management of one of the estates owned by Mr Shennan. It . consists of 25,000 acres of splendid grazing l anc l, carrying 30,000 crossbred sheep, and 10,000 head of pure to three-quarter bred cattle, besides 2000 mares and well-bred Clydesdale entires. The annual sale of pure-bred and surplus stock alone yield some ,£20,000. Mr Shemnan's other estate consists of 70,000 acres, and is worth about ,£SO an acre. Captain Baldwin also visited an immense estate covering no less than 70,000 acres of splendid sheep country. The Banda Orientale is a far better cattle than sheep country, but m all directions the visitor is struck with the indications manifest of active industry and enterprise. One of the chief places of interest generally inspected by tourists is a great horse-breeding establishment, generally recognised as one of the chief "show" places of South America. According to the Lon|tyn .correspondent from whose interesting letter we have taken the above particulars, Captain Baldwin considers South America offers extraordinary advantages to youths brought up on an Australian or New Zealand sheep station who possess a little capital. Excellent land can be bought far out for .£BOO a league (6600 acres) and about the same sum (£800) will ssocka league fairly. Two of Sir E. Stafford's sons are there, and their .speculations have proved amaxingly fortunate, though they have only settled there comparatively recently. One of them bought three leagues (19,800 acres) for which he paid 0 i*2400. With about capital, and if steady, persevering, and industrious, a young nym s can do well. It is alleged that ! Sir John Hall formed much the sarnie conclusions as Captain BaldwTN'with regard to the advantages offered by South America to young sheep farmers possessing capital. They differ, however, on one important point. Sir Johm Hall thinks that m course of time the River Plate " estancias" will be able to place as fine frozen mutton m the London market as New Zealand Captain Baldwin says *« Never, They can't grow turnips. The sheep will get too fat." As a matter of fact, the River Plate shippers of frozen mutton have not been successful m their speculations. And m Buenos Ayers according to report some ,£28,000 has been lost m the frozen meat trade. There can be no doubt that there is ample scope for enterprising young men m the vast areas of pastoral country awaiting settlement m the districts referred to, and the fact of Sir John Hall and Sir Edward Stafford having settled their sons there, and that the young men are succeeding m their speculations, will have significance specially its own, and which will be remarked and commented on by not a few. Notwithstanding the glowing eulogiums of Sir John Hall and others who have visited the country referred to, we incline to the opinion that persevering, steady, industrious yminjr men " possessing a capital of £5000" can do just as well m New Zealand,

Nothing is said about the social aspect of the question. Nothing is said as to the comparative security of life and property m the two countries, or which has the best form of Government, or whether the squatters arcadia m South America has any recognised form of Government at all. All these things should be carefully considered when a young man is about deciding on the important question of where he shall settle. How about the institutions of the country — its legislature, its churches, its schools, its means of inter-com-munication? The correspondent says nothing on this head. Was there nothing to be said, or was it more discreet to leave these topics alone. There can be little doubt that the yield of wool from the vast areas of pastoral country m South America will m course of time be enormous, and must necessarily tend to keep down the price of one of our staple products. But with regard to frozen meat, we do not think New Zealand has much cause for apprehension. In a recent conversation with the manager of the Auckland Freezing Works, who held a similar position m one of the largest concerns m Chicago, he expressed his opinion that as regards the quality, flavour, and appearance of New Zealand meat, it need fear no competitors, within or outside of America. Its quality, which, as a matter of fact is unsurpassed, will ensure for it a sale and an annually increasing consumption which no adverse or counteracting influence could prejudicially affect. We dare say many young men, possessing capital, will find their way to South America. But we maintain that such young men could do equally well m tiiis fine colony, and that they would enjoy life under more pleasing conditions, and be subject to more beneficial influences m New Zealand than m South America. How many could we mention who have left iN'ew Zealand for remote countries, where distance had lent the proverbial enchantment to the view, and found when they reached their destination that they had forsaken the substance m pursuit of a fleeting shadow. This truism has been realized by men m every position of life — men with means, as well as those whose only capital was their labor or mechanical skill. We say to those who are anxious to roam m pursuit of the paradise that is said to exist m South America, Australia, the South Sea Islands,, New Guinea, or elsewhere : "' Stay where '< you are, and seek to advance your- " selves by habits of contentment, *« industry, and perseverance. You " may go farther and fare worse. " Here you have security for life " and property, freedom and equality, " a grand country with limitless re- " sources ; a climate surpassed by " none m the world for salubrity. "Here you have scope for your <♦ energies, and a certain reward for "your labor m whatever direction " expended. Though the bright " sky of prosperity is now temper- " arily overclowded, the turn of the «' tide must soon come. Where " there's a will, there's a way. You " can be as happy and prosperous ' " m your New Zealand home, as m " the distant South American para- " disc, if only contented. You have " all the advantages of free institu- i " tions, good laws, and the associa- ' "tion of loyal and order loving fellow- " settlers. What, more could you <k desire ? The great work of colo- " nization is only m its infancy m "this colony; bear your share of " the burthen of responsibility like " men and scions of the brave race " from which you sprang, and as you "have made New Zealand your " adopted home, identify yourselves " with its rise and progress."" This is the advice we give to any restless, j and adventurous young men who would sacrifice a certainty m New Zealand for the shadowy and delusive attractions of South America. We have boundless faith m the J future »f the Great Britain of the j Southern Ocean, depressed though J its prospects may be just at present, and we are firmly convinced that there will be sorrow and vain regrets m store for those who leave its friendly shores m search of the dazzling but deceptive allurements of distant lands beyond the sea.