Colonial Prosperity.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 61, 2 August 1884, Page 6

Colonial Prosperity.

Sir Jimpus Vogel, in a recent letter to the newspapers, took creditto himself for having, since his advent in the political arena a few months ago, caused a revival of confidence and prosperity in commercial and industrial circles in New Zealand. Sir Julius was never conspicuous for diffidence, and this claim of his has doubtless more foundation in his own good opinion of himself than in actual facts. The only facts to hand bearing upon the colony's condition industrially and commercially considered are the statistics of Customs revenues, &c, and these do not by any means corroborate the self-adulatory statement of Sir Julius Vogel. During the quarter ending 30th June last, the total Customs revenue collected in the colony was £320,304, which is £26,000 less than was collected in the corresponding quarter of 1883. Telegraph revenue for the last quarter was £22,924, against £23,480 for the corresponding quartei of 1883 ; and postal revenue £39,106, against £49,062 in the 18S3 quarter. These figures do not point to an access of prosperity, but arc confirmatory, on the contrary, of the conclusion that industrial and commercial depression is still the rule in the colony. One redeeming fact is brought out in the statistics of money order transactions. These show that the past quarter has been much brisker than the June quarter of ISB3, and in so far as these returns indicate commercial activity, they are calcu- 1 lated to inspire confidence. The transactions for the three months first oncled totalled up to £257,526, against £250,598 in the corresponding quarter of last year. A slight advance of" 1 5, 000 in money order transactions does not count for much, however, in face of the falling off of £36,000 in Customs, Telegraph and Post-ofllce revenue. As the depression was partly the result of over-importation, Customs will naturally be the la&t to show signs of recovery, and there is some ground for believing that the colony has pretty well emerged from the dull cloud under which it has been crushed for some time, and that the dawn of better times may be expected soon, independent of the presence of the brilliant Vogol in our midst. In making a hurried comparison of the colony as disclosed by these returns, ue arc glad to find Auckland well to the front. Hitherto her great commercial rival, Dunedin, has led every list, but this time she is backward in every item except Customs. The figures for the Northern and Southern capitals arc as follows :—: — Auckland. Dunedin. Customs £70,732 £57,877 Telegraph ... . 59,628 47,499 Postal . . . . 5,509 5,301 WSuyec?ldClS}W Su y ec? ldC1S } -• 27 ' 557 19 > 307 Money Orders J 25j954 25}154 These added up show Auckland in the aggregate to be ahead of Dunedin, the totals being : -Auckland, £159,410 : Dunedin, £185, 135. This may not prove that the " Queen of the North " has got quite ahead of the great commercial city of the South, but it shows that Auckland is enjoying a large amount of prosperity at the present time, for which all in the district ought to feel pleased and grateful.