The Outlook in New Zealand.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 3021, 5 October 1888, Page 3

The Outlook in New Zealand.

Melbourne, September 25, The Argus in a loading artiolo on Friday last deals with the recent Bpeeoh of the President of tho Chamber of Commorco in Cbriatcburcb. It says—"At last tho Canterbury Chamber ofCoirimerce bogina to feel the long-expected breath of a more stirring commercial atmosphere in •New Zealand. 'I feel every-confi-dence,' said tho president omphaticaUy at its kit annual meeting, " in asserting arwe are on the ere of of better times.' That the prediction may prove to be true is a wish which will be, uttered almost as heartily in Australian New Zealand itself, whore thjngs have come to such a pass that tho authorities had difficulty hi retaining their population at home and preventing thorn from deserting their own valleys and cities to sack their fortunes in the more prosperous colonies." The article goes on to say that, though it is truo no large improvement is yet visible and palpable there are signs of better, times. Tho change'is one that can. be folt by commeroial'men'justasona blazing hot day .the refreshing south wind may be felt before it actually come 3. Tho article then goes on—" The immediate prosperity of New Zealand is not expected from hor rich coal beds, or from her goldfields, but from wool and grain, from sheep and cattle from the plough and tho stookyard; but what in that case, will be the 'effect upon tho rural industries of the new dutykvhich have been recently The Canterbury Chamber of Commerco goes no deopor into tho question than to deplore the increased taxation, and to suggfeHrthat tho Government sbouldinake still "further savings i]i pxMdjture." Such' a protest js' wortiftni'othuig at all, The real guestfn' at issue' is not merely oiie of revenue and expenditure, _ but Whether'a protective tariff is fair to jihp'fafmei's and pastbralists from whosp labor so much is expected. New Zealand is essentially an agriculture} country, yet it'is precisely upontlio agricultural class, as tho pxperionce of Victoria conclusively shows, that tho tariff is likely to press rnost heavjly. Tg put a higher price upon implements' and upon the neppssarips of oxistpnco'is practically |pl flam lip f,]|o ycry source of rural prosperity. To fill farmers of New Zealand are expected to run the risk of diminishing values, Whjlp thpy pro saddled with ;the steady, persistent, and dragging weight of the higher taxation. Their coursy&ce in tho nature of things they rrJR have a large surplus to export, is to.take the best means of conquering the Qutsido market, and that is a feat to the accomplishment of which the high tariff lends no aid." Tho Argaa concludes by agreeing with the Canterbury Chamber-of Ccwtasrce, that 'toe vwt"of;.tb«

country districts'is population, and concludes.:-"New Zealand in tho mcantine is to- bo congratulated on her improved irapjctt and her increasing industry, uiidtho revival of enterprises.which the i-pijuircmonts of .tho outside markets aro creating, It is to be hoped that after the experience of brilliant financing, sho will not,fatigue hor energies, and waste hor resources by pursuing another unsuitable policy too far," .