JOTTINGS FROM NEW SOUTH WALES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2867, 27 November 1890, Page 4

JOTTINGS FROM NEW SOUTH WALES.

[By Qui Vive.]

Having noticcd at various times what a pronounced spirit of opposition is displayed against tho cause of Protection by somo of tho otherwise) interesting writors to your valuablo journal, with tho Editor's kiml sanction I propose to devote a portion of this article in tho endeavour to domcmatrato to our unboliovinp brethren of tho free trade colours that protection is not such a national calamity in our colonial policy, as they would wish to represent it. Oar two "Australian colonies of Now South Wales and Victoria so often brought forth to illustrate tho workings of either policy certainly afford good examples of the effects of a Free Trade or Protcctional regime; but as a rule tho votaries of Froo Trade overlook certain disparities oxhibited by those two colonies, when they so fondly advocate the cause of tho former policy. Was not New South Wales on a firm national basis in tho year 1851, when Victoria was her dopeudency, and only on the eve of emerging forth to enjoy independent national privileges. If we take note of tho relative progress of the two colonies from that period, we must candidly admit that Victoria assisted by her Protectionist policy has considerably overshadowod the glory of her parent Now South \\ ales. Then again has Victoria tho natural advantages of Now South Wales? A porson, who had only for a short time studied the matter, would arrive at the conclusion that New South Wales with a territory four times the extent of Victoria has natural advantages, which preponderate iu a remarkable degree. Has not New South Wales magnificent deposits of coal and iron unknown in Victoria and is she at present producing enough iron, or oven a fraction of that quantity for her own-consumption ? Would Victoria act in this manner under her present focal policy ? Let us hope not. Then again, observe the vast tracks of pastoral and agricultural country New South Wales possesses in excess of her southern offspring. Yet we find that uumy of our pastoral holdings are the property of Victorian capitalists, and that, while in the year 1888 the value of the agricultural productions of Victoria amounted to £7,330,000, those of New South Wales amounted to only £4,150,000. We own in New South Wales magnificent wheat lands, yet wo depend upon our neighbours for a very large supply of that precious cereal, while Victoria usually manages to produce a surplus. Wo must thank nature and our broad pastoral plains for the only superiority we possess over Victoria. Our wool brought tho sum of £9,120,50S for the year ISBS against the ,C' 2,457,000 of Victoria for the anno period. Were it not for our wool and coal wo should under our Free Trade polir-v compare very unfavourably with Victoria. Our southern neighbour has the sense to manufacture her harvesting machinery, which at least we might do ; but no, it is moro to the benefit of our merchants to inuudate the country with machinery from England, the United States, Canada and—Victoria. A very lirgo quantity of our agricnltural implements como from Victoria. Ajraiu, of late years, Victorians find the value of their property so much enhanced by their national prosperity, that they lind it profitable to sell thoir land and come over here to purehaso property of a superior quality at a lower price ! I know that h'ree Traders aro not easily convinced, and if they are, such conviction is not, as a rule, honestly admitted; but if these persons who so loudly condemn Protection would ponder over theso few eimplo statements, they would find food for reflection.

Although there has not yet been a withdrawal of the unions from the present disastrous strike, it may bo virtually considered to be terminated as far as tho stoppage of public business is couccrncd. in our democratic communities tho present issue is rather a surprise. The fact of labour being so badly worsted in its stronghold as one might say indicates a good many inevitable conclusions not before anticipated. In the first place there must be a vast <|iiantity of surplus labour in the colonies to bo able to supply, as was the ease, what was required to carry on the work abandoned by those who belong to the unions. In the next place it has been nlmwn that our people, although fully sympathetic with the cause of the working mau, have shown much good reuse in opposing the encroachments of socialism and anarchy. Again, the present strike lias clearly demonstrated the evil resulting from the afiiliation of labour unions. The bare fact of one body of men who suffer from a real or supposed grievance, being able to influence the whole working class of a country in such a manner as to cause a total cessation of public business, is too illogical for even tho most rabid socialist to countenance. It is a notable fact that our Press too. either influenced like tho proverbial straw by tho wind of public feeling, or acting on its own conviction, has not favoured the strike even from the beginning, and has been a great motive power in influencing matters up tn the present. It is to be hoped that Cuptiai and Labour will learn a profitable lesson by this first very remarkable act of wilfulness on the part of our labouring bodies. Plie one will r. quire to acquire forbearance and foresight in cl'-aling with if.s dopemleni mulliludes and ir:trn that it has its duties as well as privileges, while t.lio other will require to exercitio more discretion and selfsaciilico, and learn that it* fv.wiumai d.-ponds us tuuoh on doing its duty honestly, as the former does upon ii in like manner. If a proper feeling of security is not established between the two great factors of society, there will be no guarantee of immunity from similar disastrous outbreaks in the future, and a consequent suspicion on the part of both will seriously retard national progress and prosperity. All through this present strike one silent feature has been visible, viz., the great respect that has been shown to law and order. With the exception of some minor ofTenccs, there has been a marked absence of anything like organised rioting, and our Australian eilimuuiiilicH must be congratulated on that instinctive rcypcc.t uliicli they always render to authority. In consequence of tin: present rupture there is a great limitation of the coal supply of the colony. The Railway Commissioners have been obliged to use wood as fuel for (lie locomotives. This has bem Found adangoroin experiment, as on S '.veral occasions, fires have resulted to wood and other goods carried on the railways. A rather clever, and it appears legitimate swindle, has been rceeutly perpetrated al. the expense of ;i great number of our people, especially those living in the country, Some time ago iigent i canvassed Ihe country with the apparent intention of lollcctiug the biographies of per.-oun who were so iuclitied to give I,hem, for Mio purpose they represented, of being published in t book to be entitled " Men of Mark." Many persons gave the necessary particulars, and were then asked to sign thoir statements. It has now transpired that, these poor deluded, if not rather vain individuals, had signed a bond (uuwittingly of course), to purchase these book* when published. Tho law Courts as a rule, uphold tho claims of tho publishing company, and give vrrdietN for tho amounts ,-laimcd and expenses-. This is no doubt rathm- sharp business jm seller on the part I U<- company who ar : producing Unhooks, but not at all appreciated by the numerous victims, who if not satisfied with their forced literary purchases, must be content with having bought useful experience at rather an expensive figure.