New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4559, 30 October 1875, Page 2

New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30.

The return of the Customs revenue for the September quarter, 1875, published in the last New Zealand Gazette, and referred to in our issue of yesterday, is worth considering somewhat more in detail. The table gives the following totals:— CUSTOMS REVENUE. September quarter, 1874 .. .. £311,031 September quarter, 1875 .. .. 312,472 The increase for the last quarter, as contrasted with the corresponding period of 1874, was therefore £842, or at the rate of £3368 for the twelvemonth, assuming that the remaining nine months are equally productive. The increase on the year, however, to realise the Colonial Treasurer’s estimate, would bo £102,614. Of course, we do not say for a moment that this increase will not be realised, but

we think it is hardly wise to anticipate any very sudden increase in the consumption of dutiable goods, notwithstanding the large access to population. The fact is, that the new arrivals, being principally of the working classes, do not contribute very largely to the Customs revenue, for the first twelvemonth they are in the country, unless they are improvident. But the police records prove that .they are well-behaved ; hence we infer that although the Customs revenue does not show any appreciable increase, the permanent wealth of the country is being enlarged by their savings, which are invested in houses, furniture, and that household stuff which thrifty people, from the first, set themselves to gather round them. This, however, while it satisfies the economist, will not exactly suit the Treasurer, who applies the revenue guage to every line of colonial development. It is, however, whatmighthavebeenanticipated, and it by no means augurs ill for the colony. Considering the access of population, however, there are those who may forecast disaster. We do not do so. We simply say that in our opinion the Customs revenue has touched its highest point for some years to come, and that the colony must be content to go on introducing and locating population without any marked increase in the indirect revenue as the immediate result. But the country notwithstanding will become all the stronger, and richer, and abler to bear its burdens. A change in the incidence of taxation will then be less burdensome than it would be now, as the population will be better fitted to bear a change which will affect property as well as consumption.” Reverting to the returns before us, we have the following comparative results for the principal ports of the colony. Thus : ... '

Now, a glance at the foregoing table will bear out the truth of our former remarks. If the new arrivals had been consumers proportionably with the “old ‘ ‘ identities ” the Treasurer’s estimate would have been more than realised ; but the fact is that they are simply getting on their legs, and in due time they will spend their surplus cash in the purchase of dutiable goods. Looking at the revenue returns for the four leading ports of the colony, the progress of Wellington' is most conspicuous. Auckland shows an increase on the quarter, as compared with the corresponding period of 1874, of a few hundreds ; Lyttelton’s increase is only £24 ; while Wellington gives an increase ef £7858, and Wanganui, £1574. The decrease in Dunedin was £9848. Indeed we may safely say that but for the province of Wellington the Customs revenue for the September quarter would have exhibited a considerable deficit. This is satisfactory, and we have to congratulate our fellowcitizens on the fact, although we were taken to task for doing so last quarter by a Canterbury correspondent, and the New Zealand Herald. Our Christchurch friend assumed that we were ignorant of the actual state of the import trade of the colony, arid predicted a severe reverse to Wellington importers from over-stocking. We happened to know, almostas well asbur correspondent, the actual state of the case. We were aware that Christchurch had overimported, and was gradually working down stocks ; we were likewise aware that Dunedin was in precisely the same position ; but we knew that Wellington was steadily superseding Dunedin and Auckland in the supply of the coast settlements adjacent to Cook Strait. Hence it is that the Customs returns for Wellington are steadily on the increase. This city is becoming a great centre for the distribution of merchandise, and every year will only add to its importance. Our Auckland contemporary thinks that the seat of Government has a great deal to do with it. Possibly it has something to do with it. We do not despise small mercies as Auckland did, when one of the prophets it delighted to honor declared at a public meeting that he did not attach as much importance to the seat of Government as he did to one of the sawmills of the province ; —timber was then dear, and Mr. Thomas Macfahiane, the prophet in question, had an interest in kauri. Now, we attach more importance to the seat of Government than to many sawmills. As we have said, we are thankful for small mercies, and the seat of Government is a consideration for Wellington ; but the progressive increase in the Customs revenue at this port is attributable to two causes —the extension of our wholesale trade, and the progress of settlement. Let there be no mistake about it: there is more honafide settlement in the province of Wellington than in any other province in the colony. Our land fund may riot swell out, but men and women are being located on the soil. Population is increasing, industries are springing up on every hand, and the enterprise of our merchants is keeping pace with our progress in other directions. Returning to the revenue tables once more, we find the following as the principal heads of revenue :

September Quarter, 1875. - Spirits (imported) £94,610 do. (Now Zealand) 4,680 Cigars and Snuff 3,012 Tobacco 29,570 Wine .. 9,123 Alo and Beer 3,098 Tea 10,874 Coffee 1,952 Sugar and Molasses 20,400 Goods, by weight 18,077 Ad valorem, 10 per cent 93,297 Unspecified 8,997 The increased duty on imported spirits for the September quarter of 1875, as compared with the corresponding period of 1874, was £0895. If the Good Templars had prevailed, what would have become of the revenue !

Auckland Sept, qr., 1874. £63,540 Sept. qr. 1875. £63,809 Thames 2,944 2.526 Poverty Bay 1,146 1,840 New Plymouth .. 1,530 2,000 Wanganui 5,919 7.493 Wellington 34,647 42,505 Napier 10,743 10,884 Wairau . 1,195 1,349 Picton 460 309 Nelson 10,860 10,318 Westport . 4,154 4,163 Greymouth 10,609 9,231 Hokitika 8,648 7,537 Lyttelton 43,946 43,962 Timaru 4,647 5,734 Oamaru 2,492 2,270 Dunedin 94,212 85,364 Invercargill 7,373 8,091 Riverton 1,102 1,524