THE New Zealand Herald. SPECTEMUR AGUNGO. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1874.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XI, Issue 3824, 13 February 1874, Page 2

THE New Zealand Herald. SPECTEMUR AGUNGO. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1874.

Alheadt Yicioria is taking alarm at the v/iso and bold fiscal policy of New i'outli Wales. ller people, misled by Uiq superficial reasouiugs of superficial men, imagined themselves wiser in their ceneration tlian the teachers who had devoted great minds and laborious lives to the consideration of economical questions. They now find political economy ainany-sided science and jN T e\v South Wales threatening to take in the commercial and political world tho rank so long held and so stupidly thrown away by themselves. The Argus of tho 18th December devotes a long and able leader to the respective positions of these two colonies in the interesting race oh which they are now entering. Tho alterations iu tho Sydney tariff are, it says, a source of disquietude to Melbourne manufacturers. At first they hoped to find in these alterations greater facilities for selling their own goods. Further experience dispels tho illusion. Tllo3' are exposed iu the Sydney market to competition with England—a competition which, their forced aud

premature manufactures cannot face. In the more natural manufactures for which colonial conditions are favourable, they find that Sydney will herself beat them. The protective system must always make living more costly than it ought to be. Every industrial pursuit is thus affected, and what are called par excellence the manufacturing ' interests suffer most from this cause. They can produce to supply their own limited market, but there production must cease. They can find employment for a certain number of trained hands, but the limit is soon reached. The great defect of the whole system is the absence of any principle of growth and the derangement of society by artificial inducements to capital and labour to divert themselves from their natural course. In the unhealthy condition of society which ensues, they lay the foundation for trouble and difficulty, and their only consolation is seen in a small number of shrewd capitalists making money by the sacrifices forced on tho rest of the community. To this miserable result have all the glowing visions of protectionist prophets led them. Instead of universal prosperity they find thoinselres creating powerful and rich classes whose interest it is to see labour reduced in price, without reforence to the greater cost of living which their system of high taxatiou entails. The mass of the people, unreflecting and readily captivated by the glittering prospects held out to them, find that they were shewn only a small side of the question. Experience, tho greatest of teachers, is rapidly opening their eyes to the mistake into which protectionist theories have led them. " New South Wales," says the Argus, " will be able to produce goods at a much cheaper rate than ourselves, and they boast of their ability under their new tariff to sweep away the whole of our Eiverine trade." Nor are Victorians blind to the imminent probability of Melbourne manufacturers transferring their capital and their skill to cheaper markets in which they can employ them to greater advantage. Goods will also be imported for foreign trade from England and other countries into Sydney in preference to Melbourne, because roexporfc in the one case is practicable if the market be glutted. In the other, despite the cumbrous and vexatious system of drawbacks, this re-export is generally impracticable.

Quoting the Argus again, vre find it stated that the Melbourne manufacturers were asked to try the tariff of IS7I "as a piece of experimental legislation. That trial has now been made, and with here and there au exception they pronounce it a failure. Doubling the duties all round has not placed their business on a more satisfactory basis. It has increased competition and rendered their business operations more risky aud hazardous. With regard to the farmers, the only effect has been to increase the cost of living and to double the price of all they require to ouablo them to till the land. No class in the community could be more emphatic in declaring that they lose more than they gain by the attempttoshut out foreign productions." Can any sane person ask a more decisive testimony to the delusiveness of high duties imposed with a view to what is so singularly miscalled the " protection" of native industry ? The result is only what every student of economical science, who had taken the pains to look beneath the surface foretold. The peoplo of Victoria, impetuous and misled, were the first in theee colonies to make the experiment. They made it under conditions the most favourable to success. They find that it has established certain largo capitalists in new and lucrative occupations. But they also find that the occupations are becoming speedily overcrowded, aud that the limited market precludes all hope of continued satisfactory employment to the workmen induced to take to these callings by fictitious prospects. They see their position still further threatened by the policy of their rival working freely and vigorously while they have forged fetters for themselves impeding every operation on which they enter. The vast internal resources of the United States have- enabled them to work under the weight of similar shackles though at enormous sacrifice to the grand prospects always- before them. In these colonies the field is

smaller and the punishment more immediate. Probably Victoria has also to learn that shackles once on, arc not to be easily cast off. Vesrod interests of magnitude hare been created, aud will fight hard for their existence. Jn the end they will be defeated. That we do not doubt. We hope also soon to have heard the last in these colonies of the delusions to which so-called protectionists are continually giving vent. The true protection in a new country, is to open it up by roads and bridges, aud to give facilities for inter-communication. Industries suited to ita condition will then arise in number and extent amply sufficient to employ all the spare capital, skill, and labour they have at command, without running into ruin, oua rivalry with other countries in occupations for which they are better adapted. Temporary encouragement by way of bonus or otherwise may bo sometimes wisely given. But the system called protection, making that the rule which ought to be the rare exception, can only end in failure, ruining poor countries and weakening those whoso resources are richer and ruoro abundant.

A TEW days buck thero appeared ii> our leading columns an arlielo on New G-uineo, which we are told hus been read vrilli deep interest by those who aro looking forward to fresh fields and pastures new, nuil who regard aa important the extension of our colonial empire by the annexation of a country eo wonderfully rich in natural resoureos as Papua. It is satiefaetory to learn tliat Captain Moresby has received instructions to return to New Guinea and complete the investigations he so successfully commenced. The cruise made by the Basilisk last year in Torres' Straits aud in tUe viciuity

of New Guinea resulted in discoveries at once interesting and important. Wβ are told that "On the coast a safe passage was discovered through tbe barrier reef, end two harbours were found, which hare been named respectively ' Fairfax' and ' Moreeby.' Tbe discovery of this safe pasaage and of two magnificent harbours surrounded by lofty hille, having water deep enough for ships of the heaviest draught, and free from dangers to navigation, is a matter which-would be deemed of considerable import by any country at all thoughtful about its surroundings. The natives were friendly—for they probably had not been unjustly dealt with by unprincipled men who hang on to the ekirts of civilisation and thero is little doubt that Captain Moresby was careful to see that their confidence was not abused." The recent discoveries made by Captain Morosby and tho taking possession of the Hayter Island and of the islands adjacent in the name of Her Majesty will doubtless tend to bring about important results in connection with navigation and commerce. Papua is not likely to remuin for any long time a terra incognita. Writing on the subject, the

. M. Herald says : — " The discoveries in New Guinea during the cruise of tho Basilisk have naturally oxcited much interest among the Imperiu.l authorities, uud now we learn that Captain Moresby has been directed at once to proceed again to Papua to complete the survey of his former discoveries, and to set at rest the queelion in regard to the existence of a ship channel round the north end of New Guinea, which, if found, will bo considerably shorten tho distance between Sydney and China. Captain Moresby ia also anxious to introduco cattle, goats, and fowls on the newly discovered shores. It would be a graceful act of co-operation if the New South Wales Government and people of this colony were to furnish Captain Moreeby with some or all of these requirements in order to enable him to prosecuto with perfect success an enterprise in which these colonies are specially concerned, nnd which is of uaiversal interest." New Zealand will shortly be asked with the eoveral Australian colonies to participate in a large expedition to follow upon tho discoveries made by Captain Moreeby, and we have no doubt thero will be sufficient spirit of adventure among us to respond to the call.

The School of Mines at Ballarat, to which we lately drow attention in these columne, 13 making most satisfactory progress, and its sphere of usefulness is largely extending. Wβ again draw attention to the subject to bring about a desire for the establishment of a kindred institution at the Thames. It. should be the wish of every ruining company to subscribe funds for such an excellent purpose, aud it would be by no meana out of place for our Legislature to impose upon the companies an annual tribute of, eay two guineas eaoh, to tho local school of mines as a condition of existence. As a Melbourne contemporary remarks writing on the subject of "Sohoola of Mines," the outcome of these schoole is a raco of sUilled miners, and all of us must look with some apprehonsion on the tendency of the times to reduoo the miner to the level of a day labourer. Instead of toiling like a mill horse —knowing nothing, and caring nothing —ono would wieh to see the intelligence of the minor brought unceasingly into play. The application of geometry uud underground geology should be familiar to him. Ho should eagerly follow the rein or lead, and study its various phases with all the ardour of a savant. His contributions to science should be made daily. From Germany, which has taught us bo much latoly, we may also tako a loeson in tho training of miners. The mining captains there all come from the celebrated schools of mines of which Freiberg in Saxonv aud Sobemnitz in Hungary hold tho foremost rank, and consequently tho occupation is honoured. The Baying of Iho country is that So-and-so is " proud as a miner." Tho assistance tho Victorian schools of minos require carries nothing degrading with it, aud it is only thus in this country that assistance should be rondoroc*. Charity is an insult to our working classes, but capital itself is interested in paying toll to the causo of technical education.

The New South Wales Parliament has boon alarmed. The alarm h«a ceased, aud Tarliument has becomo defiant. Aα attempt bus been made to infringe upou tlio rights of one of the articles of tbo colonial Magna Chura of Now South Wales. The Parliament has learned that' an utterapt has been made on the part of tbo Governor in Sydney aud tho Secretary of Slate in Great Britain, to interfere wilh tho appointment of members of the Legislative Council. Tho Parliament objects to ullowing any Miuietor of the Crown sanctioning such interference so us iu any way to limit or restrain tbo power of the Government of the colony in making such appointments, or to permanently limit tho number of members, or confine sueh number to a fixed standard, ae being contrary to luw aud eubveraire of tho rights and privileges of the Legislature. Wβ have not heard undor what circumstances Sir Horculea Robinson or the Secretary of State in Great Brilaiu has attompted to interfere with the appoiutmeut of members of tho Legislative Council, ami wo ehould almoet feel inclined to think it wus a falso alarm. However, the Legislature, very properly thero can bo no doubt, feels jealous of its rights and privileges, und so a protest has been laid in a way that cannot well bo disregarded.

Yictobia is doing now what Now Zealand will have to do ere many years ore passed. It is enquiring into the elato of its timber foreete with a view to tboir conservation. So sorious has been tho timber wasto in Victorian forests during tho past fow years that it has been deemed the duly of the Government to make earnest enquiry into the matter, and with thi« end in viow the Hon. Mr. Casey, accompanied by tho Aesielant-Commiesionor of Lands, Las been paying a visit to tbo Blale forests of that colony, and it is now found that this visit has not been paid a day too soon. We are assured by those competent to speak on tho subject that a similar visit to our timbor regions would display as reckless a vraete as any Mr. Cuecy uppenre to have come across in hie trip. In Victoria licences are issued to fell limber which allows tho licensees to roam the forests without let or bindranco, tho consequunco of which, wo are told by tho Melbourne Argus, is " that all the best treos are singled out and felled, without anything approaching to system or economy. Attempte have been made here and there to form temporary reserves, but it ie with the utmost difficulty that the sawyers and eplittera can be kept out of them. Whenever theee ' demons of destruction' cast covetous eyes on any particular tree, it is found almost impossible to save it

from their clutches, feacea and prohibitions to oontrary notwithstanding. But it is not bo much what they take as what thej waste that ie to be regretted. The branches of the trees, which would make excellent firewood, are never used, but left on the ground to decaj, or else furnish fuel for the first bush-fire that may be kindled. The amount of stuff these ' deetrojiug angola' send to market • benre n very insignificant proportion to the quantity of limber they-waste in getting the same." The chance of young treea springing up to supply the place of those remored does not seem very great, for those which are spared by the fires are ' too generally cut down for props or other purposes.' " In fact, as far as we can gather from the report, it would be difficult to devise a system better adapted than the present to promote the waste of the national property, and to secure at an early date the destruction of all the native timber in the neighbourhood of every centre of population." We venture to say that inspection would disclose the same syetem pursued in any one of our forests. The spirit which actuates those who conduct tho trade, in euch a manner is pure selfishness —they care not to take any thought for the morrow, but live for thcmsolves, lea-ring as a legacy to those come after them, the task of repairing their ravages. We truet that some nction will be taken during tho next session of our Parliament, to remedy and stay the eyil so loudly proclaimed against. As showing what the Auckland provinco is likely to suffer from being recklessly denuded of its timber, it will not be out of place to reprint the remarks of tho Hon. Mr. McLean as uttered in the Assembly last year. The Natire Minister said : —"The rivers were gradually shallowing owing to the disappearance of the timber. The climate too had very materially altered. He beliered that in some parts of the Province of Auckland thero was much less rainfall than there was some years ago when those parts wore covored by forest."

San Feanctsco city is about to try an experiment, the successful issue of which those who are deeirous of soeing education carried to a practical issue should anxiously look forward to. The Education Board of that city has oaused to be drafted and introduced into the State Legislature a bill authorising the establishment of a system of mechanical labour in connection with tho coinmoa schools of the city and county. By tho terms of the proposed enactment the Board of Education will be empowered to provide, as soon as practicable suitable rooms or buildings, either within or contiguous to eiich of the public school-houses as they may designate, to furnish the neceseary stock, materials, and machinery for carrying on tho eeveral trades which it may be considered deeirablo to introduce, aud to engage and determine the remuneration to bo paid to the several instructors who are to bo employed in the meohanical departments of the schoole. The Board of Education will havo the designation of the trades to bo acquired, but the bill stipulates that whatever those ore that shall bo first taught ehall bo such as eball require only small capital and small space, also that the coet of giving effect to these provisions shall be defrayed out of the school fund of tho city and county of San Francisco. A Melbourne contemporary wisely remarks upon this proposition that experience will probably shew that this kind of instruction will be even more raluablo than tho usual sequence of primary education ; for, after a boy or girl has mastered the " three B.V what follows is too often a more cultivation of the memory,—tho loading it with fucts and date 3 wearisome in tho acquisition and worthless in tho possession. But to teach a pupil how to use his hauds, and how to exeroisehis powers of observation, comparison, calculation, aud reflection, while engaged in an occupation which intereste him now, and will qualify him to gain his livelihood hereafter, is to confer upon him a very great boon indeed. The greatest thinkers of our own lime aro coming round to the conviction of the ancients, that education ie something more than mere book learning. As Mr. Herbert Spencer admirably puts it: —" This faith in lesson books aud readings is ono of tho superstitions of tho age. Even as nppliauces to intellectual culture books are greatly over-estimated. Something gathered from printed pages is supposed to onter into a course of education ; but, if gathered by observation of life and nature is supposed not thus to enter. Heading ia seeing by proxy—is learning indirectly through another's man's faculties, instead of directly through one's own faculties ; and such is the prevailing bias, that the indirect lenrning is thought preferable to tho direct learning, and usurps tho name of cultivation."

TnE Government of New South Wales appears to be taking the lead of most other of tho colonies in abolishing nil kinds of imposts whicb tond to place a restriction on trado operations und the industry of tbo producer. Following on tho abolishment of ad valorem duties aud tho reduction of many articles hitherto subject to impost, we now understand that tho following resolutions will be submitted to Parliament: —" Hint it ia desirable to abolish tho tolls immediately on the entrance to towns which catch the producers living near and going into tho towns. That the Government has the matter under their consideration, aud the opinion of the Government is that all lolls ought to bo abolished iu cascß where they juot caught people at tho entrance of the towns. Tolle, undor all enlightened Governments are being rapidly abolishod, aud in no long time will ouly be remembered by reference to history.