VIEWS OF THE COLONY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 2993, 28 January 1881, Page 3

VIEWS OF THE COLONY.

The Taranki Herald has the following : — We have always been under the impression that to make public the contents of a private letter without the writers consent was a great breach of confidence ; but we suppose the code of morals in this respect must have become very relaxed at home or we should not so continually see extracts from private communications —which bear traces of being hastily written, and evidently written without a thought of their appearing in print,— published in newspapers and commented on as if they were facts. We came across an instance of such a breach of confidence in a late number of Truth which we quote, feeling assured that Sir William Fox will be prepared to considerably modify the remark which he is credited with writing. The extract is as follows : —" It may be of advantage to those who meditate emigrating to New Zealand or speculating in the securities of that Colony for us to print the following extract from a private letter of Sir William Fox's, a recent Prime Minister—' Our Colony is at present in an unprecedented state of depression, even proportionately worse than any part of the old world has suffered? " A great deal of unintentional falsehood creeps into the world from simple carelessnes and inattention to statements made ; and the above extract may be placed in the category of many of the highly colored descriptions of the depression that existed during the winter months. Had Sir William Fox thought the contents of this letter would have been made public, he would, wo fell convinced, have been more careful in his statements, because never has New Zealand been "tvorse than any part of the old toorld has suffered." We have, it is true, passed through a period of depression ; but it was so very temporary, that it has almost been forgotten; and as far as the laboring class is concerned, we have long ceased to hear anything about the " unemployed." Seeing that Sir William Fox's name has been brought prominently forward as making a statement which we think he must own reads as being a little " highly colored," he should write to Truth, giving an explanation of the meaning of his words, and showing at the same time the position of the colony—how its industries and manufactories are increasing; how its trade is growing; and its people prospering. That there is plenty of room for honest, sober, and industrious men, who will always find employment: and profitable investments for capital for those who have money unemployed. It is very much to be regretted that a statement like the above, from a man in Sir W. Fox's position, should get abroad, because it will tend to prevent good settlers coming to the colony.