JOTTINGS FROM NEW SOUTH WALES

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2820, 9 August 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

JOTTINGS FROM NEW SOUTH WALES

+ . (By " (,>t:i \'ive.") I NOTiOEn an allusion in ono of your past issues to a certain typo of litorature, which [has emanated from tho genm of the larrikin element unfortunately so predominant in nur midst, That ho vile and worthless a class of journalism should have sprung up and be tolerated by a civilized community (as wo fondly suppose ourselves to he) is indeed a matter for painful reflection. There has been for many years past, a country journal of this class, viz., tho " Hathur.it Srnlinel," which has in a most sueee.-sful manner represented the intellect and aspiral inns of that class of society whose prurient minds are but anim ited cesspools, anil whose one ambition appears to be that of seeing all tho (ilthinesi of corrupt human nature that can he culled from any .source whatever paraded before the eyes of our people throu-rh the perverted medium of the press. Encouraged by the success of this charming journnlistic production the capital has recently out-herodnd Herod by the publication of a paper known as the " Dead Bird" (the same alluded to by your journal). Whatever .short comings might liavo been in the previous mentioned paper arejill made up for by the latter in a manner which must give entire satisfaction to the supporters of this abominable species of literature. If. is a lamentable matter that, such virulent, poison is allowed to circulate unchallenged from oho end of tho country to tho other; i and that there is no public censor of the press appointed, w'jo might rogulata, if not entirey suppress papers of this typo. While such journalism is allowed to flourish and corrupt tho minds of the rising generation, we may as well close our schools, and in their place substitute prisons and reformatories, which will ha amply stocked by the bountiful harvest of crime, which will undoubtedly bo the result. Some of thc.-e remarks would also apply in u miMur form to a few of our metropolitan dailies, whose style of information, and whose advertisements by quacks and iuiposters are such as "to make the angels weep," aud the spirit of the mighty Addison to blanch with horror and dismay.

The fact of no man being :i prophet in his own country appears to be fully exemplified in the c:ise of our drought prophet Mr Egeson. The time for tho beginning of the stato of the affairs prognosticated by that worthy gentleman has more than elapsed, and yet the awful conditions of his stern deoreo remain unfilled as yet, whatever the Fates may decide in the future. Not only has it rained for tho last two months, but mined in such a persistant way as to make it appear as if Jupiter Pluvius has been trying to make amends for his former seuity attentions. Farmers in manj' parts of tho country havo experienced great dilliculty in getting in their crops, owing to tho superabundant rainfall.

Tho recent aquatic contest between Stansbnry unci O'Connor, on tho Parramatta River, for the championship of the world, would make it appear as if New ■South Wales is determined to maintain her prettigc in tliat form of pre-eminence, It is indeed a remarkablo thing that we are producing one man after another who is able to overcome the muscular fWco and skill of both America and F/t!g----l.ial; and yet such is the case. The.se sculling contests engage a vast atmunt of attention on the part of Australians, who probably believe in the raor.to that " Nothin<r succeeds like success " ; for it, is probable that one or two reverses of fortune on the part of our champions might bo the means of damping our enthusiastic ardour considerably. Ni'vit-theli'-ss, I'lihivtin nui Mrr'tit firi'l" is a just, decision still.

A v<!)y interesting , work, " Tho S;ven C'.lonies of Australasia,'" has been issued from tho ofliuo of tho (loverninenf,Statistician. It deals entirely with the various statistics of the colonies, with a t-hort history of each, and shows the progress inadu by each for some years past in the ditt'eiptit industrial pursuits, as well as thi; advaud's made by population and properly. From one series of statistics it appears that New Zealand is foremost against tho world in capacity per ,'icro for the production of that very valuable! tuber—tin- potato. It, is well "to lead in some respects, even if only in humble ways. The nvinnor in which our I'ro-'iiur, Sir ilenr , ,' I'arkcs, has recovered from his recent accident shows that, tint gentle man, though considerably advanced in years, is still a rock of physical strength. 'i Us intellectual c ipacity,'to;>, ap;i",irs !o remain unimpaired by Iho lapse of timi>, and he undoubtedly now remains one of the groites'. politicians of Au-.tnha. His great power is his long experience in the politics of th(! country ; for lie his not • luly witnessed the birth of our constitution, bu 4 ; has also materially assisted in its subsequent development by a long cari-'er of pirli im:nt,:uy labours. If his political morality and stability of character only matched his masU'rly powers of generalship and public oratory, ho would in all probability remain at present the most popular of our politicians, as well as the most gifted. Hut unfortunately past experiences have shown the unreliability of his luetics, and ho is at present, admired by the majority for his brilliant powers of mind, but trusted by few whenover lie unices :i fresh move- on the political uhoHi-bonrd.

Tho iiiit:iifoni.si> feeling existing between l''iiiiißo-(.!erman communities appears to undergo very little modification after being imported to our Southern hemi-phero. It was displayed in a very marked degree on tin; occasion of the French National Fete at ]"> itany the other day, when some excited members of thi (ralUe race endeavoured to tear down the German colours, with which the pavilion was partly decorated. This feeling in our citizens is to be deplored ; fur unfortunately thero are inoro than snllioi"iit fends existing between tho various people of tho British ICiipire iu our midst ; and the addition of the .spirit of antipathy existing botween two continental nations is neither sought for nor desirable. A policy of peace has hitherto blended the various people of Australia into one nationality, and any contrary state of feeliujr, if fostered, will iu the future greatly retard our progress. Tho very vexed questions of Free Trado and Protection appear to he lying in abeyance at present, probably awaiting a further trial of strength at, tho next general elections. The advocates of the two policies are very nearly equal iu numerical strength, if not iu commercial and political inrliionoe. Tho Protectionist policy has been the growth of about only tho last decade, and has indeed advanced with great stridss among the farming and labouring classes, who are its chief supporters By theso two classoj, Protection is held to bo an infallible panacea against all evils —bad seasons mil commercial depressions included; while on tho other hand, the merchants, etc , who are makinu, a fat living from tho profits of t'u'ir imports and the lenity of the Custom.-., hold Free Trade us tho only possible i policy which cau save our country from utter desolation and failure. An eclectic might probably discern good points in both policies, but there can bo no doubt, that, it is time to develop our splendid natural resources, and to practice national economy and the spirit of self reliance. The burden of the naiionid debt of £10,000,000 is at present lightly fell, but may not ho so iu tho future, and wi'h the prospect of increased population, and keener competition, our people should be on the ulert to establish industries to meet tho wants of the present and future generations. At the same time, there would be little wisdom is a iir-avy nrolcclivo _ hint! which would extend to the nun-sMties of life, at many times not, produced by our own community, thus in mi.ny c:im-s wh tt is absolutely necessary, or by creating monopolies ot niiiimfacli'irers. If mi inorensed spirit "f emulation, nMf-sacrifico and self-re!i;;i,ee were manifested by our population, our

national progress would not depend so very much on niiy Government pol'c/ ; but, uuiortiinat'ly, Mm idea r.f letting tilings drift on iho current of ehaniv, and holding out our Ivinds to tbe Government for help is ro> strongly rooted in our people, it is l> be hoped that the ful.uru e.ont.iins a solution of many present diHii'-ultio.", which aiv 100 cumplicaled for immediate in:jn-t incut.