The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 1885.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5116, 10 June 1885, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 1885.

It will be learnt with no small degree of satisfaction that steps are being taken to bring prominently before the public the industrial resources of the district. We hare been pursuing the subject of local industries for so long a time, that the task was almost becoming a wreary one; still, recognising its importance as bearing on the welfare of the community, we even risk the chance of being charged with dreary reiteration by once more reverting to it. Our present reference is of a more hopeful and encouraging character than have been our past allusions. Steps, with every promise of success, are being taken to illustrate, in a thoroughly practicable manner, what tbe district is capable of producing, and where: so many interests are involved, the movement made should meet with every success. Our natural wealth has long been neglected, and surprise has been wamntably [expressed at its many sources not being turned to profitable account; but this deficiency, we are promised, is to be remedied, to some extent, by an exposition of our products to be held shortly. We learn that a local industrial exhibition is being organised, and no better method of showing what a district can do has ever been thought of. In our midst exist various industries, which, by the aid of publicity, must become prominent; here, amongst us, are the very.germs of lasting sources of employment for our rising generation, languishing only on account of the back-, wardness of the people. Times out of number almost, it has been mentioned in these col urns thai the prosperity of the place lies at its own door, and " won't be taken in;" but let these things be forgotten and a new leaf be turned over, with a promise attached to " be good." An effort is being made to inaugurata an industrial exhibition, and it should be needless to point out that it is the duty of every man, woman, and child to aid by their very best exertions the carrying out of this project/and the reasons for their combined action is easily set forth. The place is not to entirely rely upon mining; a growing population lives here; those approaching age are not, migratory ; em ploy men t must be found for bread-winners; the future has to be provided for; large natural advantages present themselves, and—although a dozen more parenthetical arguments might be adduced —the people would be foolish indeed were they to neglect the advantages Nature offers them by not rendering this district, which is gifted with to many opportunities, every assistance.when it evinces a desire to help itself. The range of production granted to the Thames would not remain unavailed of were it situated in American or other territory, where enterprise is rife. The pursuit of wealth has in our case been in oue direction,'and thus do we see oar other natural advantages dwarfed. Perhaps the lull which has occurred in connection with our mining property may have had a good effect in bringing to tbe fore oar other natural resources.

Taking our whole administration into consideration, there is little to cafil at, but certain methods of dealing with the matter? attached to different departments

may bp taken exception to. One source of trouble which appears to be staring the Ministry in the face is in connection with ! native affairs, and the common obstacle in the. way of carrying on good Government is likely to be furnished by this subject. Ministries have before had trouble over the same rock, and when nil else fails, the opponents of the Vogel— Stout administration will fall back upon shortcomings always to be found in native dealings. Where such a conglomeration of interests prevails, it is a very difficult matter to immediately settle it, more especially in the case of a nest of troubles having been left by predecensors in office. Mr Bryce attempted to put matters down with his proverbial " firm hand," but neither justice or humanity could justify even the exercise of the iron will of the ex-Native Minister. The land undoubtedly belongs to the people, and no mana or other title should deprive them of it. Maoris, rs well as Europeans or other countrymen, have a right to make use of the area provided by a bounteous nature. None of it should be locked up and kept from use, owing to racial superstitions or disinclinations on the part of a small disintegrated portion of the community, being possessed of notions peculiar to themselves, and not being involved in a general benefit. Although Mr Ballance may have erred in the matter of lenioncy, his predecessor went wrong in the opposite direction, and tended more to close up native latfds than any of his antecessors. in office. We are in earnest hope that the present session will turn out a measure which will settle this question; there is from a governmental point of view nothing very much in it, but when individual interests are allowed to intervene trouble cannot but arise. There is little doubt that during the coming session some satisfactory legislation as regards native affairs will ensue, and experience be brought to bear with what has been in the past a very troublesome matter.