Impressions of Melbourne

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 304, 3 October 1888, Page 3

Impressions of Melbourne

Mb WaddeliL, of Oamaru, , having just returned home after a round of the colonies, has been giving the f Mail ' his impressions of things on the other side. The following are the material parts of the- interview :—: — Are you of opinion that the prosperity and progress of ivlolbourne are likely to continue without a serious check ?— My firm impression, as a business man, is against such belief, , as trade of nearly every sort appears to be of a very unsound and superficial nature. I made myself acquainted with the prices of goods, both wholesale and retail, and contrasting the prices paid for goods by retailers with their selling values, I am of opinion that these do not warrant the paying of the enormous rents which are so general. It must be remembered that the rush to Melbourne has not been confined to those seeking work merely, but that many business people have also gone there, consequently competition in every branch is very great. I fiad conversations with a number of business people, many of whom dread the crash which they believe to be inevitable. This question does not appear to trouble the working classes somuch, as most of them are fully employed, and are full of the glories of Melbourne. • Did you meet many New Zealanders ?—? — Yes; and a number from North Otago. Most of them were in work of some sort, and "the single men especially seemed at a loss how to find words strong enough to express their dislike of New Zealand. The married men did not appear so enthusiastic, a sthey had found that the expense of keeping house was much greater bhere than here. To show that this is so I might mention the fact that for the vent of a chree-roomed cottage, three miles from the business centre of the city, 16s per week is paid. In Oamaru 10s would be considered a good rent for a cottage for which 30s has to be paid in Melbourne. Would you advise people to leave here and go to Victoria? — Very much depends upon circumstances. If a man can get employment here I would advise him to stay,' but if work cannot be got, his chance of earning a living would be greater there than in New Zealand. Did you observe any great difference in the prices of goods in Sydney and Melbourne ?— Soft goods, ironmongery, etc., were about the same in bobh places, but rents were fully one-half less in Sydney 'than those in Melbourne. In wholesale houses in the latter place prices for all kind&of goods are higher than in New Zealand;' cfcho ugh retail values are about the same in both colonies. Bread is 6d<-per loaf in Sydney and Melbourne, and meat all round about Id per lb dearer than in this colony. Of course you visited the Exhibition and ' formed your opinion of it ? — Yes ; I was there on several occasions, and each time experienced a feeling of disappointment. This feeling -might have been created by the incomplete state of several of the courts and the general litter of case 5 ? and packages ; but the whole ■ affair appealed too pretentious. What do you think of the New Zealand Court?— As intended to represent the products and wealth of New Zealand, I think the collection simply execrable, and more like a museum than anything else. The pictures, photographs,- etc., were a good collection, but far too numerous for the space at command '; besides, their arrangement was bad. The chief feature of the court is the Mosgiel Woollen Factory Company's exhibits, next to .which McLeod Bros.' collection of candles, soaps, etc., must rank. The Victorian Court is certainly the best of all, next to which comes Greab Britain and Germany. The American Court was in a very incomplete state. " The music, at the Exhibition is superb, and highly praised on all sides," tho conductor, Mr Cowen, earning high^encomiums. The exhibit of pictures |is magnificent, and attracts general attention. There are lots of beggars to be met in the streets ; but, in contrast to these, the people, as a whole, appear well dressed and contented. The hotels, and most of the theatres, are largely patronised, the Gaiety Burlesque Company drawing full houses every night. On my way home I paid a visit, to Hobart, and found there existed a strong feeling among the people there in favour of New Zealand' as a Held for speculation. -Many capitalists consider that this colony offers the best inducement'of any for those having capital, and consider chat now is the time to invest. If a crisis were to come in Victoria, do 3^ou think New Zealand would benefit to any great extent by it ? — Beyond question it would ; but New South Wales would, get the first beueh'b of an outgoing of soinc of Victoria's spare cash. Comparing the Australian colonies with our own, I am strongly of opinion that we might? be much worse off hero than we are.