THE SOLUTION OF A PROBLEM

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 837, 18 July 1871, Page 2

THE SOLUTION OF A PROBLEM

Never in the history of the world has there been so " fast" a colony as New Zealand. Only thirty years colonized, and a debt, in proportion, to its population, double that of England —that most tax-ridden country. But in England the interest is expended on the spot, and maintains a healthy circulation, while here all the profits of industry leave the country to enrich people on the other side of the world. But how has all this arisen? The Canterbury " Press" hit the truth last Monday when it said: — " It has been the fashion in nearly every community in the colony for a number of years past, to look upon all the public luxuries which belong to old and wealthy countries as positive necessities. The fact has never been recognized that our debts are heavy, our population scanty, and our income comparatively inconsiderable. There are probably few who have not shared the general inclination to discount the future." This is the real truth. New Zealand in its sfate of infancy has coveted all the appliances of ease and comfort possessed by old countries in their high state of civilization. This was not the way in which the foundations

of prosperity were laid in vbe American colonies, and before New Zealand caa reach the greatness promised her, she will have to " try back," and grow up from a harder and more healthy basis