The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1885.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5177, 20 August 1885, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1885.

It is not alone on its mining industry that the colony must rely for its future pros* perity, unless it be the desire of the people to see future generations plunged into conditions of unutterable financial woe. " The Goldfields " are quoted as having been the cause of the greatness of many countries and colonies, but this notion is an incorrect one; true it is that in Victoria, mining was the great first cause, but as popula- > tion increased and other sources of wealth betrayed themselves, attention was be- j stowed upon them with the result that, as a colony Victoria is one of the greatest manufacturers known. The gold attracted a large population to Otago, and its production enriched that province considerably, giving it a foundation which it has since built upon ; but it has not entirely relied upon its auriferous returns for its permanent, or eren temporary, prosperity. It is not upon mining alone that the colony must depend for its eventual prosperity : it must extend its business arms in other directions, and encourage the development of the many industries it is capable of giving birth to and fostering. The Auckland province has a brilliant future | before it if it embraces tbe opportunities Nature has , given it, and it may be noted that in Southern portions of the colony this important part to be played in its lifetime has not been lost sight of. Where Otago and Canterbury have been producing their wool and grain, and manufacturing from them, clothing, blankets, flour, &c, several of the Northern portions of the colony have, comparatively speaking, remained idle instead of pushing into use the natural gifts they have had bestowed on them. To neglect our mining industry would indeed fall little short of a crime, but it should be needless for us to point out that while a very large number of the people are employed in following such pursuits, other occupations are open to our large and increasing population, and should not be neglected. We have no fear that this most important industry will cause due attention to be paid to it, and there can be no possible doubt that its moment demands every care, but while this is being given it, other matters calling for serious thought should not be neglected. Various industries might, and could without difficulty, be established in the place were an Industrial Association formed to collect information regarding them. .