A NEW ZEALANDER IN MELBOURNE.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7172, 6 October 1888, Page 5

A NEW ZEALANDER IN MELBOURNE.

PROSPECTS OF VICTORIAN CAPITAL BEING INVESTED HEBE.

AN INTERVIEW WITH MR J. I, MATSON.

[by oce special beporteb.] Mγ John T. Matson, who was appointed by the Government as one of the Commissioners for New Zealand at the Melbourne Exhibition, returned from Melbourne os Thursday. Yesterday a representative of The P&ess had an interview with him on subjects of interest to the public, particulars of which will be found below. Aβ regarded the New Zealand court at the Exhibition, Mr Matson said: — " Doubtless you are aware that there hav e been a number of contradictory aud conflicting statements as to the position held by the New Zealand court in the Exhibition. I will at once admit that It I s not all I could desire as a New Zealand colonist, but there are potent reasons why this should be so, and I will give them to you. In the first place this arose from the small sum of money placed on the Estimates for this object, and the lukewarm- | ness of the various local bodies through- i out the length aud breadth of New Zealand. There was also a feeling of apathy displayed by the people generally when the Government attempted to enlist the co-operation of the Chambers of Commerce and other bodies. Let mc give you one sample of the replies to the circular from a Chamber of Commerce: —' We re. gret we cannot see our way to aid the Government in the matter of the Victorian Exhibition. Our views are those of rigid retrenchment, consequently we cannot see our way to aid the Government in this matter." This to a large extent was the feeling manifested towards the Exhibition during the roar for retrenchment. It is only since the Exhibition has been opened that the people of New Zealand have recognised that they have adopted a penny wise and pound foolish policy in not having mare freely advertised the colony. For doubtless every one who has visited the Exhibition will admit that it is the arena in which the various nations advertise themselves. For instance, New South Wales and Victoria are moving in competion with each other, and their exhibits are of such a massive and extensive character as compared with our colony, that New Zealand has a dwarfed appearance in consequence of the limitation of exhibits. As Victoria builc the pile M. Joubert only had to spend sixpence in a telegram to New South Wales, and immediately truckloads arrived on the scene. , In our court we have many exhibits which are unique in the Exhibition. For instance, our grain is a wonder to those living in the Australian colonies. As an instance I was present when a South Australian was viewing the beautiful samples of grain exhibited by the Hon. M. Holmes, of Awamoa. On these was placed a placard showing the yield to have been 66 bushels to the acre. The South Australian however, thought there had been a mistake as to the number of bushels per acre, and that it ought to have read 6.< L Indeed, the exhibits of grain fairly astonished the Adelaide visitors, aud givee a grand advertisement for New Zealand. The woollen goods of the Mosgiel and the preserved meats from Wellington are also greatly admired, and provoke interest in the colony. The timber exhibits are splendid in quality, but very limited. The quantity of timber exhibited in the New South Wales Court completely puts our exhibit in this line in the shade. The exhibit of the Midland Railway Company should have been most certainly thrioe the size. As to the mineral display about which so much has been said, there is no douot we have samples fairly represent*- 1 tlve of our mineral wealth, but in comparison with the other courts we are again overshadowed by the very large exhibits. The meeting of New Zealand colonist» with regard to the minerals in the New Zealand Court waa composed of old Auoklauders, who, having left the colony and become engaged in sharebroking, were anxious to float their companies. I can speak quite 'impartially on -this point. I went to the meeting on purpose, because I considered the outcry unjust, and I prevented resolutions being carried which would have been altogether derogatory to our hard-working commissioner, Sir J. Hector, the whole court, and the colony. Let mc ask why did not these growlers lend a helping hand at the proper time by sending exhibit*, and thus helping to advertise the colony properly, instead of coining upon the scene at a later.hour, and, as it were, crying stinking fish in the face o! the other colonies. I would wish to say that I think a fcood deal of blame attaches to a portion of the Press Of the colony for circulating hulf-trutha with respect to the display of minerals. Such reports could not but have a prejudi cial effect on the colony, and were made much of by the opposing colonies. "As to the prospects of capital finding its way to New Zealand, this is a large question, but I will endeavor to bring my remarks into as small a compass as possible. Let mc say that although the name of New Zealand is known, there are very few people interested in commercial and financial circles who have but the faintest idea of the powers of production and the grand j natural resources of our colony. It has afforded mc much pleasure on many occasions to enlarge upon tnis subject, and I may say I was listened to by willing ears, and I had many a pleasant hour of social intercolonial conversation during my visit to Australia With gentlemen from all parts of the world, who were delighted to obtain j from an authentic source information which was reliable on the resources of New Zealand. Now let mc at once say that however much New Zealand might be appreciated in the eyes of the Victorians, they are too busy making money in the great whirl of finance which at present exist* in Melbourne to bo led offin to fresh fields and pastures new. Think for one moment tha>. from the first to the thirty-seventh week in this year there has been no less than thirteen millions and a-half worth of properties which have changed hands through auctioneers and agents, to say ! nothing of the large number of sales which have not been recorded. While tnia goes on there is not much chance of New Zealand being looked to as a field for investment, but when the fever which is just now at its height cools and calm reflection takes its place, many of those— and there are a great many—who have made handsome lortunes will be ready and willing to seek for openings, for investment ia this country. It has became common talk in Melbourne that New Zealand, above all the colonies, presents the soundest and best securities for investment. At the suggestion cf Sir W. J. Clarke, a meeting of some of the principal men in the inner circle of flnauce in Melbourne was arranged, at which Mr M. R. Miller, of Napier (representing the North Island) Mr T. T. Ritchie, of Dunedm, and myself' from Canterbury, were present. It -wwuld be unfair and impolitic at present to enter into particulars as to the business transacted at this meeting, but I may aay that the result will I beUeve be found to be in the near future highly favorable to the colony. The opinion was universally expressed that so far as New Zealand was [concerned her depression had reached what the AmericanT call bed rock, and now was the time to invest. Already there are in New Zealand several Victorians of indepen. dent means, who are travelling through the colony with a view to seeing the best part for investment. Naturally they do not wish to advertise their mission, and so raise values from a normal to an abnormal condition. I am firmly convinced that before January next a stream of investors in real property will set in i towards New Zealand. -_...• ~„, > " Aβ to the prosperity of Victoria little need be said, as it must be evident to even the most assured observer that she is the boss colony of these seas. Her fame has gone forth, and capital is flowing into her shores in millions. One firm to my knowledge received one million sterling for investment in city properties. The internal wealth of Victoria is a treat to think about. Its self-reliant population furnishes a lesson and a grand picture to all young countries. One only requires to travel by tram or by rail, and look at the mansions of the wealthy colonists who having amassed an independence in the country, exhibit a patriotism by a determination to live within the colony, which it would be well for New Zealand If our colonists imitated. This creates an amount of internal wealth from the expenditure in the community of the people I have referred to, which is perfectly marvellous. I hope I shall not shock |ou when I tell you that it is estimated that there is close oa one thousand people in Victoria whose wealth is calculated at a quarter of a million each. Despite the

"croaking" element which persistently isserts itself and preaches that general ruin will speedily overtake Victoria, from my observations, after travelling the length and breadth of the wuntsT, Jgspeotlng alike ite mining, agricultural and pastoral lands and its manufactories, I aave come to the conclusion that the solM foundation of the prosperity of the country is not likely to be disturbed. It is quite true that individuals will probably go to the wall through rash and undue speculation, and that the same revulsion aa took place over the silver boom may come at anytime. But they survived that, ana, no doubt, should the other come they will get over this too. . " As to what protection has done witn regard to Victoria, it has employed its own people; it has stolen some of our people, and almost devastated Tasmania.. You ask mc why is thie, and I reply because Victoria has determined to carry out a self-reliant policy that she would trade with the world, but that the world must trade on her terms and these only. Her people are happy and contented, and each ana every one has money in their pockets. Go to the theatres, go to the churches, and you see at a glance that prosperity reigns triumphant in the land. Let mc just briefly say as regards the question of the comparison of Australia with New Zealand, that 1 can apeak impartially. I am a Victorian born, with, of course, national feelings for my birthplace. I am also a New Zoalander, perhaps possessing in the opinion of some, a very large amount of patriotism as my adopted country. I must at once admiA) that if we had in New Zealand people ot the same pushing, go-a-head. enterprising calibre as they have in Victoria, New Zealand would hold the premier position as a colony to live in. I look on Victoria and Melbourne especially, as the London and Paris of the Pacitic Its geographical position, immense wealth, connection by rail with all the other cities andTast territory of Australia, ensures for it an everincreasing population. It is a remarkable fact, I may tell you, that while Victoria only owns ten million sheep and New Zealand sixteen millions of sheep, the former exports eight-seven thousand more bales of wool than we do. You ask, How can this be! 1 will tell you. It occurs throogh the monetary iuiluonce of Victoria, because she is the head centre of the Australasian group in matters appertaining to finance. The wool which is grown elsewhere, outaide of Victoria, ia dragged by means of this financial power across the border, and thus it is that her export is so much larger than her possession of sheep would eeein to warrant. Her wool market, too, has become the resort oi European wool buyers. Aβ to the many virtues of New Zealand, they are so well known that I need not enlarge upon them. Our power of production of cereals, meat, and vegetables, is unequalled anywhere in the world, and all we want is people. We continually are advertising our public indebtedness. It is true we owe thirtyBJx millions of money, but have we not assets to represent this sum and over. Our assets if realised to-morrow would cover our indebtedness a hundred times. Look at our railways, our roads,~ our bridges, our harbors and public buildings, are these not assets. Our money has not been spent in war and bloodshed. We can render a good account how we have spend our money. Facilities for locomotion, &c, are afforded equal to the wants of a population of five millions of people at least, and we have the land, powers of producing food, and climate, so that every member of that population could live in eaee and comfort if he desired to do. Australia does not possess these advantages, and before long when they know •Uβ better those who can will seek this country in preference." Mr Matson then proceeded to give hie views on the subject of how universal intercolonial reciprocity is to be accomplished. "I am," said he, "a strong advocate, and always have been* for intercolonial reciprocity, and my late visit to Australia has deepened my faith in It. I have not travelled with my eyes abut. I have made it a point of duty to fulfil the objects of my visit to Australia hi the interest* of the people and Government of this colony. It is patent to all that wo have recently been losing our population, and if any -word of mine can tend IntllHj least degree to stay that excHiue I trasU. be happy. Victoria's great capifcHflr for the internal employment of its people jg developed in a large degree by the met that ite neighbor. New Soath Wales, has been weak enough to receive and pay for Victorian goods free of duty. So lone as New South Wales persists in such a policy, whilst Victoria continues the antagonistic line she has adopted, no reciprocity can eventuate, and New Zealand ana Tasmania must look after themselves. If NewSouth Wales could be induced to build up the walls of protection as against arrogant Victoria, it would soon bring her to a cotnpromiee. So long, however, ac Victoria is a protected country it behoves this colony to insist upon a policy of eelfrellanoe in ite own interest, if It wiehee to retain its population. It is no use fighting with a short sword so long as an opponent is provided with a longer one. If we could once establish intercolonial reciprocity instead of Australasia having only three and a-half million people within its borders, it would at once become the great centre of attraction to European Immigration, and its population would be largely increased. Aβ regards what is being done now, look at Tasmania, a> beautiful country, with a population reduced to 143,000 people. Under its foolish policy it has allowed its bone and sinew to emigrate to Victoria, and its people have now become too indolent even to produce sufficient meat and vegetables for their own consumption. They ar« supplied from Victoria with cattle and eiheep, and crates upon crates of vegetables to feed their population. So much Is this state at things felt in Tasmania that even the squatters are now going in for protection. In concluding the interview, Mr Matson said—"lt would be most unjust and ungrateful on my part if I did not acknowledge in the warmest manner the courtesy extended to mc by the Premier. Mr Gillies, Sir James Mcßaln (the President; of the Exhibition), Colonel Sargood (the Executive Commissioner for Victoria), Major Bull, Sir James Hector and Mr Cafiis. One and all did all they could to make my stay pleasant, and the Victorian Government did all they could to entertain mc whilst I was in Australia, and also afforded mc every opportunity of seeing the country from one end to the other."