OUR DOMESTIC RESOURCES.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3192, 9 October 1867, Page 4

OUR DOMESTIC RESOURCES.

To the Editor of the Daily Southern Cross, Sib, — We must return to first principles. We must retrace our steps and try to make the country out of the country. However dazzling the prosperity of a country, however rapidly its leading men may make money, though thousands of people should flock to its shores, yet if at the same time its general interests are not attended to, if no attempt is made fairly, honestly, and perseveringly to develop the natural resources it may possess, if no patriotism exists in the breasts of its inhabitants, the result will be, as surely as effect follows cause, unfortunate, and a darker cloud will encompass it than if it had not been or rather cursed, with a season of seeming prosperity. I am glad to see that there is such an interest manifested in the preparation of flax. The attention of the community is also being directed to the growth of wool. Wheat has been grown to some extent. These are facts which it is refreshing to see. These are symptoms which show that the delirium which has so long affected this community is about to take its departure. When the present depression is over I trust we shall be satisfied to go on slowly but surely. The sordid spirit that has actuated us must be dismissed. Every citizen must take his fair share in promoting the good of the province at large. We must be charitable, more disposed to help the distressed, — in a word, more patriotic. Then we shall be laying the foundation of a sound future prosperity, with the assurance that, whilst we do not grudge spending a little time, and, it may be, money, in advancing the^ material interests of our adopted country, and in helping our deserving neighbours, we are at the same time doing the best to conserve our own individual interests in the widest sense of the word. — I am, &c, Richard Matthews. Symonds-street, October 8, 1867.