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Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2690, 8 October 1889, Page 2

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Tiii*isik have not boon wanting convincing evidence that lS r ew Zealand has well turned the corner of her long period ot' trouble. The depression, us it was felt and understood during several successive years, niay be .spoken of now as a tiling of the past it exists only in in the form of a departing shadow, oi' in the vivid recollection of those who suffered from its oppressing gloom aud look with a vague sense of fear to its return in some fresh shape, Since the downfall of the Stout-'Vogel Ministry, and with it the baneful inlluences of an extravagant policy with which the people were surfeited, can be dated the dawn of a new era of healthy prosperity, such as may now be witnessed advancing around us. The colony shook itself free of the spell by which the oriental genius, who had guided its destinies for good and evil so long, held it by means of his fascinating and corrupting schemes. This, though a figure of speech, literally expresses the feelings of the bulk of the people when the result of the general election in 1887 proved so disastrous to the appeal of that (lovernnient, and carried with it in such an unmistakable manner the condemnation of the country of the reckless syste.n of administration with which it bail become burdened. A new spirit of hope at once inspired the community and it became pervaded with a strong tone of confidence and revived energy to which it had been n, stranger for some time. 1 lespondency gave way l;o enterprise and a determination to lace the dillieulties into which New Zealand had fallen, by practicing strict economy, both public and private, and to meet engagements honourably. 'It is this .strong faith in the resources of the

uolonv and its future, this bracing up of the peopled nerves to overcome unci eonijuer, that enables them to bear the heavy load of taxation, that past folly has heaped upon their shoulders, sucli as no other nation is afflicted with. The evidence of improvement is found iu the remarkable expansion of the Made of the colony during the last two years. Its elasticity has been demonstrated by veritable leaps and bounds. And it is on the side which tells of substantial and financial soundness that we find it recorded. The exports of the colony have increased amazingly, and have far outstripped the imports in value. In ISSS the exports were in excess of imports by nearly two millions; for the year 1889, judging by approximate returns, the excess will be fully three millions. The meaning of this, to a country circumstanced as is New Zealand with a hu«e foreign debt, is that we are not only paying for the commerce that enters our port, but that we are also paying off our indebtedness the margin goes to our credit and serves to ease our backs of the colony's debts. Although this refers principally to private and speculative engagements, the fact that the restriction of those liabilities is loosened, and the spirit of enterprise freed from their pressure, is an incalculable benefit to the country at large. It is not desirable that a young country should embark in excessive importations. To do so is unnatural, and leads to ruinous consequences, as we now know by bitter experience. To export largely, beyond its purchases from outside markets, is certain proof of its natural wealth, and of the energy and industry of its inhabitants. Our staple products, amongst which flax has suddenly and unexpectedly taken a first rank, I have gained a favourite place in the markets of the world. The increase of frozen meat from this colony creates astonishment everywhere; and, what is more to the purpose so far as we ourselves are concerned, it is in greater demand than that of all our competitors. To use the italicised words of a writer in the Melbourne Argus, '• Ever//lit in;/ produced in New Zealand is lit present in ettr/er diuiunul in the world's inar-W-ti." Then, again, to show the renaissance of New Zealand, we hare before us a still more cheerful outlook in respect to the public revenue. Retrenchment in the public services has not been effected to that extent which was desired and thought possible. It will, probably, not be possible to procure a thoroughly economical form of administration until the existing system is entirely revolutionsed or reformed. So far as reductions go, however, they have materially helped to save the country from a recurrence of the usual deficit. If there was not the surplus claimed by the Colonial Treasurer, last year, wo had the satisfaction, at least, of learning that expenditure had balanced with revenue. That was a decided gain. This year we have promises of something far more than that. Six months of the current financial year have expired and the Government are enabled to announce that they can safely anticipate a surplus of revenue for the year of fully £100,000, and possibly of .£150,000. The increase is contributed by the customs, railway and land revenues. The revival of trade, in spite of the high duties, including the primage, imposed for the explicit purpose of obtaining revenue, will naturally respond to the fillip given by the general improvement. So also with the railways, in consequence of the large increase of productions and phenominal expansion in the exports. The chief increase in the revenue, however, appears to be in the land revenue, which is stated to have already nearly some up to the estimate for the whole year. The estimated land revenue for 1888-9 was £139,000 ; therefore. . if that amount has been nearlj reached, it shows that the predicted surplus for the year will be almosl wholly contributed from that source

and not, to any extraordinary ex tent, from the other sources named The land revenue, so largely beyonc the estimate, is an indication of tlu awakened desire on the part of tlif colonists to settle on the land, and the advantage that is being taker of the more liberal land regulation! now in force. All this clearly point! to the renewal of confidence in tin country and its re-habitation as ; whole; and a very gratifying posi tion we can consider it to be. " lele machus,'' the writer above referrec to, says that if the Australiai colonies do not " mend their way: and act up a little better to the trui instinct of our race, New Zealam mav yet be to Australia as Britaii to Europe, the crown, if not thi head, of the body, which once re garded it as an excresence or ai appendage to be endured than de sired."'

Undoubtedly there is much upon which we may congratulate ourselves. Yet, we are not sufficiently clear of the woods to safely indulge in halloos. Much remains to be done to retrieve the errors of the past, and many serious impediments lie in the way before our national life can be deemed unchequercd. Not the least amongst these drawhacks, if indeed, it is not the worst, in our Parliamentary machinery. The politics of the colony can never be pursued in a way to win the confidence or admiration of the people, until it has undergone wholesome reformation, and become moved by the dictates of higher and nobler principles than those which have characterised them during the last fifteen or twenty years. When we have remedied the evil which lies uppermost and gives birth to many others of a grevious nature, we shall then reap to the full the fruits of the exceptional advantages and opportunities with which the colony has been, and will

continue to be, favoured. Only let the people exercise the powers they possess wisely and by a careful selection of representatives secure that reform of the Legislature which all devoutly pray for. That accomplished, taxation, railway, local government, Civil Service and other burning questions of reform will be properly * dealt with, making the country tolerable and the population contented. Then would our boast be justified that no land under the sun could compare with New Zealand. When we think of the. inanity of our legislators and of wasted opportunities

through their acts, we are tempted to cry, in anguish of patriotic spirit, Oh, that Folly could be dethroned from her seat and that Wisdom take her place in the midst of our councillors ! Then would some liighsouled statesman arise who could guide the destinies of the colony with sagacity and righteousness and who would be blessed by future generations.