A QUESTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2577, 17 January 1889, Page 2

A QUESTION.

TO THIS EDITOR. Sin, —I haveoften asked myself howit is that wo in this country, possessing us we do so many great advantages <>t every description are so behind others of mir fellow colonists, who are not so favoured? Contrast for instance our circumstances with those of the inhabitants of the Falkland Islands. Their disabilities of climate and soil arc such as to actually limit their industry to the raising of wooi and tallow. The scanty herbage in the best parts is only capable of supporting a sheep to three acres. Cattle will not exist there. Any butter or milk consumed on the Islands has to be imported. They have no firewood, as nothing in the shape of a tree will grow, and coal if you wish to burn it c.m be purchased at a cost of £3 per ton, a species of peat is their only fuel. Fish are scarce and of inferior quality. Fresh pork is considered a great luxury. Yet notwithstanding these d rawbacks the i 11 hubi bants consisting of about 1,-100 souls, all told, about the population of Hamilton, are able to earn at the rate of £-10.000 per annum, free of all charges. The colony is a Crown colony, and the whole of the government is successfully and efficiently administered by about ten people. There are practically no taxes, the sole tax being one on spirits, which runs the government of the country and leases a credit balance at the end of the year. During the whole occupancy of the Islands, there has never been an election. The only bank they possess is a Savings Bank. They, in common with ourselves, embarked in the frozen mutton trade, and like us, made a hash of it, (tile trade not the mutton), through bad and expensive management, but unlike us, they have had the wisdom to profit by ttieir experience, and intend to work economically. Instead of fast steamers and high freights, thoy are preparing to content themselves with sailing vo-sels and low freights. Now, sir, contrast the state of this little community with our o.vn, view the immense advantages, both acquired and bestowed by a bountiful providence that we possess, and they have not. We have responsible Government, a House of Lords, and House of Commons. We have banks and millions of borrowed money, communication with all parts of the world, both liy fust and commodious steamers and by telegraph, and above all we possess an inestimable boon in our railways, while they are content with ordinary tracks. Have we not also free education, local self-government, Harbour Boards, Charitable Aid Boards, and last, but by no means least do we not rejoice in a splendidly efficient and grandly organised Civil Service, and an energetic and thriving population of at least half a million, upon whom the slight burden of running the show is thrown ? And yet the fact remains that as a community tho Falkland Islanders are better off than ourselves. How on earth can it be ? Can any of your readers enlighten me?— Yours truly, C.B. Hamilton.