MELBOURNE AND VICTORIA.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7169, 3 October 1888, Page 3

MELBOURNE AND VICTORIA.

MELBOURNE. September 25. Mr J. T. Matson. of Christohurch, returns homo by this steamer. He has thoroughly enjoyed his trip to Victoria. He has made it his business, like every other New Zealand visitor, to endeavor to arrive at the cause of the great prosperity of the colony. With this view ho has travelled throughout its length and breadth, and had a good look round him in the country districts. The result has been to confirm him in the belief that New Zealand, through its superior soil, climate, and producing capabilities, is bound in the course of time to outstrip even this colony, which is so far ahead in population and prosperity at the present time. Like so many others who have investigated the circumstances of the colony, Mr Matson has been struck by the congregation of the population in the cities. Melbourne and suburbs contain nearly half the population of the colony, ■whilst Ballarat, Sandhurst, and Geelong are each large cities. The proportion of the people actually settled on the lands is remarkably small. Mr Matson is sorry that New Zealand does not make a better show at the Exhibition. The Government have lost a big opportunity of advertising the colony. A large sum of money ought to have been provided by the Government for the purpose, and the local Chambers of Commerce should have taken the matter up vigorously instead of doing nothing. He holds that the Exhibition will be a payable speculation to the colony of Victoria, even if the deficit on its account should be half a million of money.