NEW MUNSTER EXTRACTS. THE GOLD FEVER.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 684, 3 November 1852, Page 2

NEW MUNSTER EXTRACTS. THE GOLD FEVER.

[Prom " Spectator," Sept. 22,] The gold fever which just now seems to be raging throughout the Australian Colonies, and hasat last extended its effects to New Zealand is productive of many strange contradictions. Just at the time when it may be proved to demonstration that the country settler has an unlimited market before him, when the countless thousands who are about to emigrate from Europe to the Australian gold fields, must inevitably enhance the value of all agricultural produce, and ensure him better prices than he has ever yet obtained, many of the country settlers in New Zealand, inflicted with this prevalent and all absorbing idea, we may almost say mania, of trying their fortunes as golddiggers, seem bent on foregoing the certainty of success that awaits their labours to the cultivation of the soil for the dazzling but delusive chances of the lottery in which they are about to embark. That a reaction will eventually take place there is hardly any reason to doubt ; still less do we doubt that many of those who are disappointed in their haste to get rich, as well as many who have been successful in their pursuit of wealth will seek New Zealand as a permanent home. But the practical question which presents itself to the colonists, to those who have no intention of leaving New^ Zealand and who desire to see its advancement, and as far as they can to contribute to so desirable a result, is what measures had best be adopted at the present juncture One great object should be in every way to avail otivselves of the assistance of the native population. E/eryE /ery effort should be made throughout these Islands to stimulate them to extend their cultivations as much as possible, and to avail ourselves whenever practicable of their labour, in the place of that more skilful European labour of which we are likely in a great degree to be deprived. The effect of the present movement will be to increase Ihe wealth of" the colony by the enhanced price which the natives will obtain for their produce, and to render the connexion between the settler and the native more intimate than it was before, and thus more rapidly to extend among them the advantages of civilization. Every influence has we believe been exerted by the Government to induce throughout this Province, the natives to cultivate as largely as possible, and to explain to them the advantages that are likely to reward their industry ; as far as we can learn the natives are fully alive to the consequences of the present movement, and are greatly increasing the amount of their cultivations, so that during the next twelve months we may probably witness a very extensive export trade from New Zealand to the neighbouring colonies. Where the prospect of steam communication is 'so immediate, steps should be taken to render the coal at Nelson immediately available, since, in the event of steam 'communication being introduced, especially if as there is every reason to believe the Panama route is established, it is impossible to overrate the immense importance of having the means at hand of a plentiful and cheap supply of good coal for these vessels j neither need we en,-

large on the advantages likely to accrue from the coasting- trade which would be certain to spring up in such a case, in supplying the different settlements with fuel. These are stirring- tunes, and these and similar objects should occupy tno public mind with a view to thcii 4 practical development for the good of the colony.

(Fiom tlie " Inilepi'ivlcnt," Ort. 2.) As to the prospects of the (liters, we are not very sano-iiine, after the conversation we have had ■with a very intelligent and candid person, a man of energy "ami used to out -door labour, who has returned to this place, after an absence of eleven months. His success does not appear to have been very encouraging; and his admissions, as to the privations and misery endured, are occasionally quite appalling. It is nil very well for n single man. who feels himself to be a kind of "chartered libertine," if not a homeless vagabond, to go to the diggings ; but for the married man, who has good employment, to give up everything and go; at least without making ample provision for his family ; would be most discreditable, and will be followed bv the reprobation of society.