CURRENT TOPICS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCV, Issue 10918, 28 March 1896, Page 5

CURRENT TOPICS.

Those very Conservative bodies, the Chambers of Commerce, are not slow to appreciate the blessings of “ Governmemtinterferenco ”

ADVERTISING THE COLONY.

iwhen it is in the interests of the mercantile classes; just as the land-owners and pastoralists lost a good deal of their aversion to Socialism when it took the shape of proposing relief to settlers who suffered heavy losses by last winter’s severe storms. Mr L. D. Nathan, a well-known Auckland merchant, who lately visited ■England, has addressed a letter to the Chambers of Commerce, suggesting that something more should be done towards “the proper advertising of the colony in England and Scotland.” The writer of the letter found, when at Home, that there were millions of capital seeking profitable investment, and a large overflow of population seeking a congenial clime 5 but he found also that dense ignorance prevailed among the masses of the people regarding the resources and attractions, of New Zealand. “How to divert .this stream of brain, muscle and money to these shores,” is the patriotic problem that Mr Nathan propounds; and in doing this he is rendering a real, service, in marked contrast to the action of Opposition politicians, who keep doing their utmost to impress outsiders with the idea that New Zealand is not a safe field for investment or a promising place for immigrants. Mr Nathan’s idea is that “ it would handsomely pay the colony to have a good room somewhere near Cornhill, in London, close to the Stock Exchange, which should be set apart as a place of New Zealand exhibits, particularly at first for auriferous ores and gold specimens, and on the walls of which room there should be illustrations of the many scenes of New Zealand industrial life, photographs of our chief cities, &c., and with a full supply cf pamphlets distributed gratuitously; with a similar room in the heart of the city of Glasgow. These rooms to be officered by gentlemen Of good address and practical knowledge of the colony, and subservient to the AgentGeneral.” A small workable honorary committee of London and Glasgow resi-

dents interested in the colony to assist, in auggeations or otherwise, the officers y ’Would, in Mr Nathan's opinion, be of advantage, and many old colonists would, he thinks, do valuable work as a labour of love. This communication was considered at a, meeting of the Hunedin Chamber of Commerce a few days ago, when a motion was unanimously carried urging upon the Government •the desirableness of “ taking steps to disseminate useful information regarding the colony throughout Great Britain.” It is needless to say that the Government does so already, but we quite agree that something more might and ought to be done. The “new broom” at the Agent-General’s office might well he entrusted with extended powers in this matter. We feel assured that the slight extra expense involved in making the position and resources of the colony known at Home would bring abundant fruits in tho shape of increased prosperity all round.

We published a few days ago the regulations that have been gazetted for the establishment of a distinction to be conferred upon

NEW ZEALAND CROSS — CIVIL DIVISION.

persons who may perform any brave or intrepid action in connection with the saving of human life. This really means tho setting up of a civil division of tho New Zealand Cross, with appropriate and distinctive decoration, for the recognition of bravery on the parti of civilians. The New Zealand Cross, established by Act of Parliament in 1867, is only open to members of the Militia, Volunteers and Armed Constabulary, who may distinguish themselves in war, and hitherto there has been no official means of rewarding brave and humane deeds by civilians. The credit of securing the. ex tension of the principle is chiefly due to Mr Joyce, tho member for Lyttelton, who has for five years kept “ pegging away ” at tho quos-

tion. In the session of 1891 Mr Joyce \ asked the then Premier, Mr Ballance, if the Government would take stops to provide for a Civil Division of the Now Zealand Cross. The Premier’s reply was that the Government sympathised with the object, and would “take the matter into serious consideration during the recess.” Nothing came of the matter then, nor for some years, though Mr Joyce kept agitating the question. Last session, however, the Hon E. J. Seddon stated, in reply to the recurring question of the member for Lyttelton, that his Exaeliency the Governor

had written on the subject to the Secretary of State. A copy of that letter, now before us, ' Lord Glasgow stated very clecSfly and forcibly the reasons actuating “My Ministers” in wishing to have a decoration authorised for bestowal upon those who might save life under exceptional circumstances.; Mr Seddon informed thd House that the Government had given “certain advice” in the matter, and he hoped that the report would bo acceded to. Lord Glasgow’s letter was despatched on April 16 of last year, and we presume it mixst be viewed as an instance of official promptitude that a reply was received in time for the, establishment of the new order of merit to be announced about a year afterwards. The long and persistent struggle that had to bo engaged in before the vis inertias of Governments could ho overcome in this matter, adds to the credit which Mr Joyce has earned by his efforts, now happily crowned with success. Deeds of conspicuous courage, daring and humanity have not been rare in New Zealand at any time, and no one supposes that those who risk their lives for the sake of others do so for any mere decoration; but it has been rather a reflection upon this colony, that it gave no public recognition of such deeds. That reproach has now been removed, and we have no doubt that the medal and certificate of the New Zealand ' Government will he appreciated by those upon whom it may be conferred.

Mr John Cooke, who the frozen recently visited this colony meat trade. to inspect and report upon methods of fattening and preparing sheep for freezing, has, since his return to Australia, stated his impressions to a Melbourne Argus interviewer. There were three things Mr Cooke was forcibly impressed with. The first was the developments and improvements in the utilisation of bye-products; the second was the substitution of the ammonia process for cold air machinery; and the third was the movement in favour of killing and freezing close to pastures. In Mr Cooke’s opinion Victorian growers will never approach New Zealanders in fattening suitable half-bred lambs for the British palates until they cultivate root crops, lucerne, &c., by the use of artificial manures. With regard to the trade in frozen meat, Mr Cooke drew from his New Zealand observations a number of lessons for Australian imitation. We quote from the Argus : —

Pirstly, the absolute necessity of working up with the very newest appliances, aided by the latest scientific skill, every conceivable portion of the animal, it being manifest that if New Zealand by,these processes can almost kill and freeze for nothing, we must follow suit, or drop behind iu the struggle. Secondly, the need for improving our flocks, so that our mutton and lamb may more closely approximate the values secured by New Zealand. At the moment best Canterbury lamb and mutton is of greater value than best Australian by about 2d and Id per lb respectively, while the discrepancy is sometimes even more marked. Many of us justly regard the merino chops or leg as a much choicer morsel, especially, if it is eaten on the station, and yet, instead of being a more saleable article of diet than cross-bred, the reverse is the case. Thirdly, the great importance of (a) shipping only our primest carcases, and (6) of adopting such a system of classification and grading as will enable our producers or their agents to dispose of their surplus stock on a cost, freight and insurance Jpasis, in contrast to consigning it for sale to distant markets. A very large proportion of New Zealand mutton, and lamb,- especially - that ‘of Canterbury origin, is now disposed of in that way, and the incidental risks of fluctuations in the market, losses in weight, storage charges, &c., are thereby avoided. Mr Cooke’s opinion was emphatic that the qualities, descriptions, and weights of sheep now being exported from Australia were so varied and unsatisfactory that no binding contracts could be made in respect to them. Fourthly, the imperative need for keeping all charges for treatment and transport at the lowest possible level. Mr Cooke, even with his long experience of New Zealand, was hardly prepared for the vast strides recently made there, but his greatest apprehension arises from the competition of the Argentine Republic, whose stock comes into more direct rivalry with that of Australia.

It is stated that Mr Cooke intends leaving for England next month to investigate the ramifications of the trade there; and it is satisfactory to learn that he expressed' himself hopefully regarding the ultimate triumph of the industry, despite present low prices. His opinion is that the glut of stocks at Home is due to defective arrangements for distribution, and that when this is remedied there will be another period of payable prices.