CORRESPONDENCE.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 54, 18 March 1843, Page 215

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor op the Nelson Exaeiner. Sir — As you have edited the Nelson newspaper now for more than a twelvemonth, I have a right to suppose, from the general justice of the opinions expressed in it, that you have paid some attention to the practice of the settlement of a new country ; whether you have devoted the time and thought due to your position, which I believe to be that of having the unfettered and uncontrolled power of the press in your bands, you must be the best judge. Be this as it may and as you may decide, it must be admitted that the press has not succeeded in stimulating the spirit of the settlers, although it gives no cause to believe they have less reason to congratulate themselves on their prospects than heretofore. Although comparisons are said to be odious, I cannot help comparing the interest taken in the formation of a Library and Literary Institution to that taken in the formation of an Agricultural and Horticultural Association. In the first instance we had present nearly the whole of the settlers interested, and in the latter but a fraction. Is it to be attributed to the community being more literarily inclined than agriculturally or horticulturally ; or to mere apathy in the general progress of the settlement ? I fear we cannot make so good an excuse as to lay claim to the former. Then to what are we to attribute the want of interest taken in a proceeding which apparently so materially affects the well-being of almost every individual in the settlement, viz., production from the soil ? Did we come to New Zealand to prey upon each other, in the hope of receiving a share of the in-coming capital, or had we anything like a dream, in consequence of the excellence of the soil and the climate, of extracting something from the country? Do you — does anybody doubt the practicability of the latter ? I speak not of export : the time for that has never arrived in a new country (unless under peculiar circumstances, such as slavery, or convict labour, and consequent extraordinary Government expenditure establishing a market), until that country, by its own production, can support its own population ; then comes freedom from mental anxiety, and muscle and sinew have fair play, and take the place of money-gold, should it be wanting. I need not refer you to the history of colonization in all its phases, from the settlement of Hispaniola, Virginia, and Massachussets, ' to that of Swan River, South Australia, Port Phillip, and New Zealand, to prove the truth of this ; nor need I recall to you how, wherevep> aught else has been attempted, disappointment has ensued, and reluctant recourse had to selfsupport eventually; an obligation, in feet, to seculer pour mieux sauter. But, sir, is it to be presumed that a number of people are to plant themselves in a wild country, however fine in every respect, and to feed themselves without an effort, without a struggle ? Does it not behove each and every one, according to his means and calling, to put his shoulder to the wheel; and, by example, which is so much better than precept, do something towards the primary object to be gained ? One would fancy this was clear to the most obtuse mind, but still it was not thought worth while, by many whose pecuniary interests are at stake, to walk across a bridge to attend a meeting to forward the object in view. A new settlement may, to a certain extent, be compared to a ship, which will not steer well without good way. The individual settlers may be compared to the different sails, and the amount of capital to the force of the wind. Thus, when the wind falls, more sail must be set ; when capital fails, increased energy is required on the part of the actual settlers. I would not be understood to mean that energy consists in speculation, or that any man should go beyond his means; on the contrary, I believe over expenditure, either publicly or individually, to be more pernicious than apathy. Much is to be done by a little personal sacrifice and exertion in our different spheres. As the affair of the Horticultural and Agricultural Association now rests in the hands of the committee, perhaps you will be able to keep the individuals who compose it to their posts ; and if you think the above worth while standing in the place of what you may obtain by the aid of the scissors, it is at your service. From \ / A devoted Nelson Settler.