STEAM NAVIGATION WITH AUSTRALIA. [From the Daily News, October 5. ]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 372, 24 February 1849, Page 3

STEAM NAVIGATION WITH AUSTRALIA. [From the Daily News, October 5. ]

The beginning of the year 1849, which id now fast approaching, will be distinguished inthe history of this country as the period when a steam communication by way of Egypt and India was established between Great Britain and our vast colonies in Australasia. For some months _past powerful and well appointed steamers have been leaving Southampton Water, and wending their way to the Indian ocean, prepared to convey, or to supply the place of those which may be appointed to convey, mails between Singapore and New South Wales. The gradual progress and extension of steam navigation in the East, from Egypt to India, and from India to China, almost prevent us from estimating the magnificent enterprise which is now about to be completed. In five weeks' time, the government will have entered into contract, probably with one single steam navigation corqpany, for the conveyance of mails eastward for upwards of twelve thousand miles. Very shortly a letter posted in England will he delivered in about two months afterwards at the antipodes. The ends of the earth may then be said to he united, and the most distant countries known or dreamt of by the ancient world will only be as resting places for travellers during a rapid, flight round the globe. When the extent and unrivalled fertility of Australia' is considered, as well as the suitability of its climate for Englishmen, and the almost exclusive possession by the English nation, one cannot avoid looking to that country mainly for relief from the overwhelming increase of our population. The establishment, therefore, of a rapid postal commuication between the two countries is a matter of primary and immeasurable importance, and, when accomplished, must be attended with beneficial results. It is the want of this, in * greai measure, that has hitherto limited the number of emigrants to Australia, and confined emigration to those colonies, in a considerable degree, to the lowest portion of the working classes. Hitherto, the long and irregular period occupied in the transmission of correspondence between this country and our most distant possessions, has discouraged those from emigrating whose affections have not been blunted by want or poverty. The/ have known that they would be perpetually harassed by fear and anxiety about friends and relatives from whom they were separated* But when a postal communication, rapid, frequent, and regular, is established, distance from friends will not bt severely felt. The poorest classes also, finding those above their

own rank whom they have known in this country disposed to emigrate, and to whom they Could look up to in a distant land for either employment, assistance, or protection, will be less Unwilling than they now are to leave a place, where both food and labour are scarce, for a spot where they are abundant. Persons of rank, wealth and influence, will be enabled to visit our most distant colonies, and contribute also in some degree to lessen the dislike of emigration. The comforts and luxuries enjoyed on board large and well appointed steamers induce wealthy individuals to extend their travels, and in a short time hence persons possessed of money and leisure will be able to pass by the shores of India and China to view the wonders of another hemisphere, without consuming more time or experiencing greater inconvenience than used to be occupied and felt in a summer cruize to the Mediterranean. In « few weeks two lines of steam navigation will be found branching off east and west from this country. The one to the east yrill, by means of a branch steamer from Sydney, extend from Southampton to New Zealand, and the other to the west, extending also from Southampton through the Mexican Gulf to the borders of the Pacific Ocean ; and at no distant day perhaps an ocean pathway will be formed which will extend around the globe, and be only broken by the Isthmus of Suez and that of Panama. It is consolatory to reflect that, while other nations are fighting for social existence, and preventing an excess of population by fratricidal war, we are bridging over the immensity of the ocean to encourage clamorous and discontented multitudes to fly to a land of exuberant plenty ; and that, instead of slaughtering men at the barricades, we are enabling them to build up a mighty empire in a distant land, iv which they can enjoy every political and social blessing.