NEW ZEALAND AND HER PEOPLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9027, 4 November 1892, Page 11

NEW ZEALAND AND HER PEOPLE.

ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS OF 1891. I.—RELIGION, EDUCATION, AND MORALS. The Government has just issued a new official Handbook. It is edited by the Registrar-General, and contains in condensed and portable form tho results of the last) census of tho colony. Wo like the book, and hope that it will have an extensive circulation both in and beyond NewZealand. To a colonist who would under stand facts as they aro, or to an intelligent intending immigrant who would look before he leaps, this Handbook is indispensable. Its price (Is 6d and 2s) places it within the reach of all, and is very much below the cost of production. It is our intention in a brief series of articles to giva our readers the main facts of this book in an interesting form, we will do our best to clothe with flesh these "dry bones" of statistical tables. We begin with tho questions of RELIGION, EDUCATION, AND MORALS. How do New Zealand colonists of to-day Stand in these important respects? Tho 620,658 persons in New Zealand thus sort themselves in the matter of religious belief : — of Enjjland... 250,945 Church of England .. 200,945 Protestants (undescnbcd) ... -.•™ Presbyterians ~.,'",! Methodists ~\T, Baptists ... l *'°£ Coniircj-ationahsts o.Wsa Lutherans ».»« Unitarians 0 ? Society of Friends >i\o • Church of Christ ... ... ... 5,241 Brethren—Christian. Open, Exclusive, and Plymouth 3,537 Miscellaneous 263 Salvation Army 9,383 Christadelphiatis 700 Swedeuborgiann 1/8 Seventh Day Adventist 410 Students of Truth 325 Other Protestants y.% Roman Catholics 55.856 Catholics (undefined) ... ... 1,416 Greek Church 56 Mormons 206 Catholic Apostolic 150 Hebrews 1,463 Spiritualists 339 Buddhists, Pagans 3,928 Various 154 Freethinkers. 4,47.3 Agnostics 322 Deists, Theistg 51 Doubtful 405 No denomination 2,999 No religion ... ■ 1,558 Unspecified 1,288 Object to state 15,342 Thus, in round numbers, 32,000 of our population, or nearly one in twenty, put themselves outside of all Christian belief. It is a little surprising, considering the amount of agnosticism one reads about, to find only 322 in the census returns. The "Students of Truth" are the declared disciples of Mr. Worthington of Christchurch, for whom a large and costly Temple " ha 3 lately been erected. The Society of Friends number 315. We draw attention to this to point out the consideration shown by this body for the scattered members of the denomination, seeing that visiting ministers are sent from time to time ail the way to New Zealand to look them up. The " Buddhists and Pagans" doubtless include the Chinese, of whom there were in the colony 4444 when the census was taken. Of the 600,000 declared Christians we note that there is church accommodation for 278,114, with 177,055 in actual attendance at the principal services on the Sunday. These figures may be considered as highly satisfactory Jrom a Christian standpoint when we remember that about 40 per cent, of the population are under 15 years of age, and many of these are found in the Sunday-school, and are there receiving Christian instruction though they do not attend regular church services. The Roman Catholics number 13'96 per cent, of the population— not quite a seventh of the whole. Since ISS6 the ratio of increase has been :—Methodists, 1461 percent.; Church of England, 902 per cent.; Presbyterians, S'29 per cent.; Roman Catholics, B*l2 per cent. Of the churches, tho Methodist shows the highest ratio of increase. The ' Sunday-schools of the colony contain 101,975 ] persons. The number attending primary ■ schools increased 14 per cent, since 1886, i while the number attending Sunday-schools < increased only 209 per cens. The popula- i tion between 5 and 15 years of age i increased during the quinquennium by ' 1020 per cent. The small increase in > attendance at Sunday - school should be carefully gone into by those who are interested in this question, as far higher rates were obtained at previous censuses. In males there is an actual decrease of Sunday-scholars of 081 per cent. The increase in female scholars is 4'84 per cent. In the matter of

EDUCATION There is steady progress. There were at the time of the examinations last year 118,440 children in the primary schools, 2205 pupils in the secondary schools, and there are now 324 graduates on the register of the University who have obtained direct degrees. The number of undergraduates on the roll of the University, of June Ist, 1891, was 1161, but only 575 were keeping terms. In the Otago University there are no less than 33 medical students. The

statistics show steady advance on the part of Roman Catholics in the support of denominational schools. There were, in 1880, S3 Catholic schools with 7991 scholars ; in 1887, 90 schools with 8940 scholars ; in 1888, 96 schools and 9348 scholars ; in 1889, 95 schools and 9024 scholars; in 1890, 108 schools and 9474 scholars. These figures indicate a steady determination on the part of the Roman Catholics to educate their own children apart, whether at their own cost or at the cost of the State. As there is a brisk controversy going on upon the subject of teachers' salaries, the following figures are interesting : —There are 5 teachers who receive £400 per year or more ; 56 receive £300 or more ; 'Jls receive from £'200 to £300 ; 1004 receive from £100 to £200; while 1879 (including 987 pupil teachers and 154 teachers of sewing) receive less than £100 each. The provision for education is gradually overtaking the needs of the population. We are not surprised to learn that the proportion of those who can read and write steadily gains upon those who can "read only" or those who can neither read nor write. Fifty years ago half the persons who presented themselves to be married in Great Britain could not sign their names uponjthe register. A young man or woman in that predicament in this colony will soon be as rare as the raoa. With all this provision for the religious and secular instruction of the people, we naturally ask what is the effect upon PUBLIC MORALS ? Do the facts show that crime is diminishing with ignorance? We are glad to note that the answers to this question are on the whole satisfactory. Such wrong-doing a3 can be tabulated is steadily diminishing. There were last year 283 convictions in the superior courts after commitment. This is slightly in excess of the two previous years, but so was the population. On the other hand, the convictions in 1888 were 308; in 1887, 347 ; in 1880, 330; and in 1878, '292. On the last of these dates the population of the colony was only 402,000—onethird less than in 1891. Again : The number of charges against various persons in the Resident Magistrates' Courts in 1890 was 18,701. These figures of course include repeated charges against the same person. In 1889, the number was 18,845; in 1888, 19,167; and in 1887, '20,330. We find it difficult to decide under what head to include bankruptcy, whether under one that deals with morals or with finance. Our readers can settle that point for themselves. Whatever view they adopt they will be glad to know that bankruptcy is diminishing. The petitions in bankruptcy last year numbered 605, and were fewer than in any one of the last six years. In 1890 the number was 652, in 1889 724, in 1888 881, and in 1887 1036. One of the chief causes of crime is undoubtedly strong drink. The tables before us yield satisfactory results under this test. The consumption of beer, and spirits shows a tendency to decline, though there has been a alight backward movement during the past two years. The annual consumption of beer per head, excluding Maoris, was 10'5 gallons in 1882, and 7 6 gallons in 1891. The average New Zealander consumed I'll) gallons of spirits in 1882, whereas in 1891 he was satisfied with 0.69. This shows a slight advance when compared with the two previous years. On the other hand; the quantity was 0"82Q in

1888. Temperance reformers, therefore, have no real ground for discouragement, although they are a long way yet from victory. There were 638 illegitimate children born in New Zealand last year. These represent 34-91 in every 1000 children born. The ratio in the United Kingdom, according to latest statistics available, was much higher than that, viz., 47 per 1000. There is ono cloud over these figures—a cloud made by tobacco smoke. About 21bs of tobacco are consumed in New Zealand every year for every man, woman, and child. Mow much of this is used in killing vermin this Handbook does not show, but no ono can walk our streets without the feeling that a great deal too much of it is injuring, if not killing, our Now Zealand boys. The consumption in the United Kingdom is 23 ounces, in the United States 59 ounces, and in Germany 72 ounces. Outonly consolation in this respect is that there are greater sinners in the world than we aro ! lI.—WELFARE, WEALTH, WORK. In our first article of this series we confined our attontion to such facts as could be gleaned from tho census returns in the new Official Handbook upon tho condition of tho people of this colony in respecs of religion, education, and morals. Our object in this article will be to take note of such facts as bear upon tho material welfare of the people. How do matters stand as to health, occupation, employment, wages, savings, and comfort of the people gonerally ? This is a largo and miscellaneous order, wo admit; jet wo think it possible to pick our way through this Handbook with those questions uppermost, and to note some at least of tho most interesting results. The pulse of tho commonwealth is tho death-rate. People cannot live long if they live under undesirable conditions. If this dictum bo accepted, then Now Zealand among all the countries of the world stands alone. Comparing New Zealand with her six sister colonies in the Australasian group for 1891, we gob tho following result. The death-rate per 1000 people is— Western Australia ... 16 96 Victoria ... ... ... 16*24 Tasmania 15' New South Wales 14*26 South Australia 13"26 New Zealand 1035 j In 1890 the death-rato in New Zealand was only 9'64. The average in the United Kingdom for 20 years has been 21*2, and this is tho lowest in Europe with the oxcep tion of Denmark 19"7 and Sweden 19 2. New Zealand must surely be a paradise for life insurance societies and a purgatory for doctors ! One wonders at the temerity of tho 33 young men who are studying medicine in Otago. Possibly, however, they are studying with the intention of following their profession in other lands ! The most serious cause of death is phthisis. This diseaso carried off 495 of our population lust year. Yet our deathrate from this cause is lower than in any of the other Australian colonies except Tasmania (from which it differs but slightly), and is a little more than'half the death rate

in England from phthisis. Of the consumptives who died in New Zealand last year 28S were born in tho colony, the rest brought the disease here. But of those born in tho colony many were doubtless the children of parents who came to New Zealand with this disease, or with a strong predisposition to it. As people must bo born before they can die, we ought perhaps to have begun with the birth-rate. It is not a little curious to note that this was lowor in New Zealand last year than in any other of the Australian colonies, and lower than any on record for England and Wales. dur young New Zealanders are manifesting an increasing indisposition to accept the responsibilities of marriage. The marriage-rate in the United Kingdom has averaged, per thousand inhabitants, 7'63, for the past 20 years. In Victoria it reached, for the year 1890, B'2l per thousand; in Queensland, 8'49; in New South Wales, 7'14 ; while in New Zealand it was 6*ll in 1890, and 6 - 04 in

1891. In 18S2 our marriage-rate reached 7 07, a respectable ratio, but it has been under 7 for the last ten years, and for four of these years has been under 6 per 1000. It is easier to regret this circumstance than to explain it. Those who might marry if they would are certainly here. There are 70,197 bachelors over 20, and 100 spinsters to every 105 bachelors. In Canterbury and Otago the spinsters are even in excess of possible husbands. Why, then, do nob our young people marry ? Here is an interesting question for theorists, into which, however, we must nob enter just now, as our main business in these articles is with facts and not opinionsas far as our observation goes the persons who might marry and do not, belong chiefly to the middle and upper middle classes. How rarely one sees an old maid among working people ! Does not this fact point to social ambition rather than poverty as the cause that keeps marriageable folk apart ? There is a table upon the OCCUPATION'S OF THE PEOPLE which is full of food for thought. Wo print the table as it is— Occupation. P'is'ns.l Males. Fern's. Breadwinner* 1. Professional _ .. 15,821 10,052 5,7.19 2. Domestic 24,928 5,h37 18,391 3. Commercial 43,196 40,330 2,808 4. Industrial 70,521 59,106 11,325 5. Agricultural, Pastoral, Mineral, etc 90,546 87,86' 2,080 6. Indefinite 7,751 4,34! 3,410 Dependents or non-bread* winners .. .. _.. 373,89. 125,531 248,304

We call particular attention to a few of these figures. It will be seen that 60 per cent of the whole population are classed as dependents or non-breadwinners. Of the remaining 40 per cent, who carry this burden 6.89 per cent, belong to commercial pursuits, 3.98 to domestic pursuits, and 2.52 per cent, to professional pursuits ; so that we have 25.80 per cent., or one-fourth of the population only, who are directly adding to the wealth of the country. This statement, we know, requires to be qualified in many ways, but we are content to leave it as it is, and let our readers qualify it for themselves. We would also point out that according to this table about 46,000 of the women of New Zealand are earning thoir own living, and that 11,325 of these are engaged in industrial pursuits. It will bo seen, therefore, that the organization of the tailoressea and other wage-earning women is not a movement too soon. The woollen mills of the colony employ 1175 hands, as compared with 867 hands in 1886. The public; hospitals of the colony contain generally from 700 to 800 inmates. Benevo lent asylums (not orphanages) contained 667 persons at the close of 1891. One person in every 3)8 in the colony is insane. It is not easy to arrive at a reliable estimate of the AVERAGE WEALTH per head of the population. Property tax returns are likely to be under-stated. One way by which this is estimated is to divide the amount of property bequeathed by deceased persons by the number of deaths, and thus strike an average. If this method of calculation be adopted, the result is £214 4s 9d per head between 1882 and 1886, and £229 18s 4d between 1887-91. We ought to add to this the public estate, such as railroads, lands, and buildings, as this belongs to the people as a whole, and each resident has a share. Mr. Giffm estimates the wealth of the United Kingdom as £270 per head of the population. New Zealand, though so young a country, is certainly not behind the Old Land in this respect. The average wealth in this colony cannot be set down at less than from £1200 to £1500 per family of five. Suppose such an equal division took place—what then ? The Handbook before us contains an article on " Labour in New Zealand " from the pen of Mr. Tregear of the Labour Department. lb is evidently intended for expectant immigrants, and the facts are fairly put. It seems to us, however, that in statements about work and wages sufficient allowance is seldom made for the fluctuations of the New Zealand labour market. New Zealand would better deserve its reputation as a " paradise for workingmen " if some way could bo found of securing steady employment for willing workers. Eight or ten shillings per day of eight hours sounds very sweet to workers in other parts of the world ; but it needs too often to bo qualified by the statement that the worker in many branches must be prepared for many idle days in a year. The tables showing rate of wages in each provincial district seem to be carefully prepared, and show how wages vary in different parts of the colony. Auckland is generally near the bottom of the list, and (except in Westland, which is I exceptional) Hawke's Bay is near the top. ! In agricultural labour, wages appear to be exceptionally good in Taranaki. Reapers, with board, are stated to get from 15s to 258 per week in Auckland, and from 48s

to 60s in Taranaki. The samo difference also appears in reference to mowers and threshers. Artisan 3 are reported as obtaining from 30 to 50 per cent, more in Hawke'a Boy and Nelson than in Auckland, but tho demand in Nelson, e.g. is probably very limited, and workers must guard against being allured by very high wages in print without careful inquiry. We are surprised to see tho statement that general houseservants' wages, which are from 5s to 10s per week in Auckland, are from 153 to 18s in Canterbury. Is there not some mistake here? We commend to Miss Morrison's notice the statement that tailoresses receive 5s per day in Auckland, and from 5s to 8s in Wellington. But if wages vary considerably in New Zealand so does the cost of living. When fresh butter is 6d per lb in Blenheim it is Is 3d in Haw keg Bay. A 41b loaf, which costs from 7d to b'd in Auckland or Wellington, is sold for 6d in Canterbury. Beef costs from 50 to 100 per cent, more in Auckland than in New Plymouth. The price of milk varies in different parts of New Zealand from 2Jd to 8d per quart. The study of those tables has impressed us once more with the conviction of the folly of those who want to insist upon a uniform tariff of wages in every part of New Zealand when the prices of the necessaries of life are so far from being uniform.

The number of immigrants last year was 14,431, but wo are sorrowfully obliged to set against this the emigration of 17,629 persons, showing a loss to the colony of 3198 souls. When wo add to this a low marriage-rate and a diminishing birth-rate the question demands serious consideration. There were 44 nominated immigrants among the arrivals in 1891. but the system of nomination has now come to an end. The figures we have quoted in the course of this article show that New Zealand wants more produces on her sdil, and she wants more than, she is likely to grow. All tho facts indicate that we still need to import this class of colonist if no other.

AGRICULTURE. It would be much easier to write a dozen articles on agriculture in New Zealand than one. The former task would simply require us to describe the climate, soil, and products of each principal centre—the latter seems to require us to combine in one description tho methods and rosults of agriculture, say, in Italy, Devonshire, and Scotland. From the agriculturist's standpoint there are several New Zealands. We state this for the sake of readers of this article beyond the bounds of tho colony. The man who wants to farm in New Zealand may choose his climate and the sort of farming to which he will devote his energies. He will find one district in which oats predominate, another famous for wheat, and another devoted mainly to barley. In one part ho can gat heavy crops of Indian coin, in others he must not dream of anything of tho kind. From the banana to the hardy currant ho may grow any fruit he likes, only ho must not only know how but where. In short, agriculture in South Australia means grapes and wheat ; in New Zealand it covers almost everything which man can want, only the area for producing any given product in anything like perfection is often limited. Now Zealand does not embrace a very wide area, or a very numerous population, yet it does embrace almost every peculiarity of climate and product known to sub-tropical or temperate lands. We often regret to notice that many of our own colonists have little idea of the variety of climate, scenery, and productiveness within the limits of their own colony.

We have known many a man to leave this country for some other because he did not like the part in which he happened to be, who could have found all be wanted within the colony without going elsewhere, if he would have only taken the trouble to go and see for himself. In April, 1891, there were in the colony 43,777 occupied holdings of one acre and upwards, covering an area of 19,397.529 acres. Many of our readers will be glad to know the size of these holdings. Let it be noted that Crown lands rented for pastoral purposes only are not included in this table. Area of Holding. Hold' I Freehold •> aseh ; ,d jugs. Acrea « e - Acreage. 1 to 10-teres .. .. 11,116 28,124 24,34.'! 10 to 50 acres .. .. 8,899 149,905 105,751 50 to 100 acres .. .. 5,013 277,135 158,128 100 to 200 acres.. .. 6,851 I 654,729 374,022 v 320 acres.. .. 3,916 619,857 403,402 320 to 640 acres . .. 3,802 I 1,057,070 660,070 040 to 1000 acres .. 1,321 | 66&.612 395.849 1.110.1 105000 acres .. 1,075 2,144,627 1,280,558 5,000 to 10.000 acres.. 247 1,208,810 550.980 10,000 to 20,000 acres.. 189 1,911,063 788.341 20,000 to 50,000 acres.. 117 2 507,84s 833,083 50,000 to lOO.OOOacres 24 801, 723,000 Upwards of 100,000 .. 7 397,140 650.700 Totals 1801 .. | 43.777 12,410,242 6,987,287 Totals 1880 .. I 30,48". ,11,728,230 5,348,838 To als 1881 ■. i 30,832 10,309,170 4,897,727 It will be seen from these figures that there has been an increase of 7,292 in the number of holdings during the last five years, and an increase of 12.945 during ten years. In 1870 the number of occupied and cultivated holdings was estimated to be 14*88 to every 100 adult males; in 1881, 17.30; in 1886, 2017; in 1891, 2279. In 1892 the average is 2443 to every 100 adult males. These figures show nob only an increasing number of people going on the land, but an increasing proportion of the people so employed These facts can only be regarded as highly satisfactory. Some of our readers may think that it is hardly necessary to print once more the average yield of crops in New Zealand in comparison with that of the other Australasian colonies. Our observation convinces us that it is necessary. These figures, as a rule, are entombed in statistical returns, which are seldom read, but they ought to be known and understood, and talked about by our colonists generally. This would make the people more buoyant and hopeful. Comparisons of debt and taxation are utterly absurd, unless the countries compare'! are similar in their wealth and productiveness. We should all see the absurdity if two estates were regarded as equally involved because they were mortgaged each for the same sum, while the fact that one was worth twice as much as tho other was ignored. In our opinion it is not less absurd to speak of a country with a wheat average of 25 bushels to the acre as if it could carry no more debt than one with an average of 10 bushels. Yet this absurdity underlies most of the croaking about New Zealand which appears in outside newspapers, and a good deal which is heard within the colony. Let the following figures be studied and remembered. They compare the crops of the seven Australian colonies for the years 1891-2 :—

Much comment might be made upon these figures if we had space. The impression of the productiveness of New Zealand will be deepened if the areas under cultivation be compared with the average yield. It is quito possible for any country to show a high average if cultivation bo confined within a narrow and carefully selected area. The more carefully these figures are studied the deeper will be the persuasion of the brilliant future for the agriculturists of this colony.

D THE FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY 1 Has not only given a wonderful stimulus • to farming, but has brought in a new era. 3 At one time woo) was the chief considera--3 tion for the sheep-farmer, the surplus stock ? finding their way into the boiling-down vat, t the tallow being the only available product. t Things have undergone a marvellous change 1 since 1882, the inaugural year _of the • frozen meat trade. Sheep have risen 100 » per cent, in value. Small and large flocks ' of pure and cross-bred sheep are now kept 6 on all farms which are suitable for them, > the object being the production of early 3 lambs for freezing, which readily sell at . from 10a 6d to Pis each. The day when f good legs of mutton in pastoral districts > could bo bought retail for Is each " seems to have gone never to re- » turn. It is amusing now to " read i how the Duke of St. Alban's wrote , to the Times, when our first shipment of > frozen meat arrived in 1881, protesting I against fresh meat being brought from the Antipodes to compete with English meat. ' His Grace, however, sought to allay the i alarm of the English farmer by assuring > him that " the thine could not last, and that > oven if the supply could be kept up from f New Zealand, which was impossible, the i inferiority of the meat would soon render it unsaleable." We are glad to find in the new Handbook the result of the experiment I made by our late Governor in fending ) frozen mutton to a number of distinguished > gentlemen, and asking for their verdict. f The gentlemen selected were Baron Henry ' de Worms, M.P. ;' the Earl of Rosebery, > Sir Augustus Harris, the Sheriff of London, Sir Morell Mackenzie, and General Sir r Henry de Batho, " one of the committee of the Beefsteak Club, whoso members have « a house dinner once a week, at which ) one member of the committee has to - select the principal dish, and to be '- responsible for its excellence." The ver- > diet in each case was as satisfactory f as could be desired. General de Bathe Wrote as follows :—" Last Friday we had a large assemblage of the B.S.C. to eat your mutton. The consensus of opinion was that it was most excellent. Dick 1 Grain, Frank Burnard, Bancroft, G. A. 1 Sala, and some others all so agree. I, who 3 am a dweller on the Southdowns, can safely aver that your sheep was better than 1 can buy in Chichester. It was as tender as a ' chicken. Could the club make arrangeJ ments for a regular supply of mutton of ' the same quality ; and, if so, should we have to pay more than our London butchers' 1 prices?'" The export of frozen meat ' amounted in 1882 to 15,244cwb. value £19,339. In 1891 it had risen to 1,000,307cwt, value £1,194,724. Who would venture to forecast the expansion to this trade during the next ten years ? Another of our agricultural industries that is full of promise is the production and export of butter and cheese. One illustration will show that the dairy factory has come to stay. " Experience has demon strated to a certainty that 27£lb (or 24 gallons) of fairly good milk will produce lib of butter which averages 2d per lb more than ordinary farmer's butter, whereas it take* three gallons of milk treated in the old-fashhioned way to produce the same quantity of butter, which mean* 50 per cent, more returns from milk treated on the factory system." There are now 71 cheese and butter factories and three creameries in the colony, employing 218 men and 51 women. Tho production of cheese and butter have both doubled during the last 10 years. Tho figuros for 1891 were: Cheese, 6,975,6981b5, and butter, 16,310,012 lbs. The outlook for this industry is full of encouragement. No New Zealand product is so fluctuating as tho FLAX INDUSTRY. A glance at this table reminds us of the up-and-down lines one sees over the head of a fever pationt in a hospital which indicate tho variations in his temperature. In 1860 New Zealand produced 61 tons of tlax ; in the year following only two. From 1869 to 1875 the annual output varied from 2000 to 6000 tons per year, but the year following the figures fell again to 639 tons. From 1881 to 188JJ tho total fluctuate? between 1000 and 4000. Then in 1889 there was a sudden jump to 17,084 tons ; the next year 21,158 tons, then it) 1891 a fall to 15,809 tons. These figures show how many are always ready to avail themselves of any improvement in tho flax market, but they also show how serious is the risk to any who venture their all in flax because the market is encouraging at any given time. Bub if flax fluctuates » THE WOOL EXPORT creeps steadily up. During the last ten years this has advanced from 59,415,9401b? per year to 106,187,114. During the one year 1889, the wool product wont up 9,000,0001b5. Here is a market about which we need have no misgiving as to the supply in New Zealand, or the demand elsewhere. IV.-STATISTICAL POINTS. Wo propose in this article to note somo points of general interest that illustrate the growth of New Zealand ; its present position and prospects ; or any respect not noticed in previous articles in which New Zealand strikes us as peculiar. It was found in the last census that 55"61 of our present population were born in the colony. Of the remainder, 35 per cent, were born in Great Britain and Ireland, lb will surprise many readers to find how small a proportion of our New Zealand residents were born in Australia —only 2*55 per cent. This will partly account for the apathy of New Zealanders on the subject of Australian Federation. To attempt to get up any enthusiasm on tho subject was trying to kindle wet wood. Few of our people have roots in Australia. Ireland has three natives in New Zealand for one Australian. In all the seven Australasian colonies there is still a preponderance of males. In Western Australia the proportion of males is 6079 per cent. ; in Queensland, 7604 per cent. ; in New youth Wales, 84 - 12 per cent. ; in New Zealand, 8825 per cent. Victoria is of all these colonies best supplied with women. There are 90,371 husbands in New Zealand, and 90,765 wives. How many of these 394 husbandless wives in this colony are in the desolate posit ion of desertion ? Few aspects of our social condition are more shameful than the heartless way in which men, when the burden of supporting their family becomes inconvenient, shulllo that burden upon the country and "clear out." If ever we wish to sou a return to the flogging system, it is when we think of scoundrels of this class. At present it appears bo be almost impossible oven to catch them. During every year of her history but three, New Zealand has received more people by immigration than have left our shores. Tho three exceptional years were 1888, when we lost 9175; 1890, when the balance against the colony was 1782 ; and 1891, when we lost 3198. It is comforting to know that in this year the scale is turning again in our favour. The returns for tho March quarter were: Immigration, 4575; emigration, 3972. The balance in our favour has been very largo during some years. During 1863-4 we gained 56,000 people in this way. Ten years later we gained 63,000 persons in two years. After ten more years, 1883 4, we again gained 20,000 in two years. Wo think it more than likely that the next decade will show a similar result in its last-named two years. The excess of births over deaths was 11,755 in 1891. Ib is, however, disappointing to note that this has been our smallest increase from this source in any one of bhe last ten years. The excess of births over deaths in 1884 was 14,106, yet the population in that year was less by 69,754 than it is now. This striking fact shows how many who have left our shores during recent years have consisted of young men who, under ordinary circumstances, would have married and become heads of families. All our colonists who visit Australia and the United States tell the same tale of the number of young New Zealandors with whom they meet. We must nob lose heart, however, as the consensus of testimony is that most of these wish themselves back again, and that many are coming soon. Of those who came to our shores during 1891, 2435 came from the United Kingdom, 3712 from Victoria, 6704 from New South Wales and Queensland, 9 from South Australia, 719 from Tasmania, 199 from Fiji, 389 from Hawaii and the South Seas, and 264 from other ports. Only five Chinamen | were bold enough to set foot in New ! Zealand last year. The Chinese in the colony have dwindled from 5004 in 1881 to 4444 in' 1891. The most re-assuring facts for any that are inclined to despondency about our prospects are to bo found on turning to the tables of exports and imports. Year. Imports. Exports. 1882 ... 8,609,270 ... 6,253,650 I .1883 ... 7,974,638 ... 6,855,204

1884 ... 7,663,888 ... 6,942,486 1885 ... 7,479,921 ... 6,591,911 1886 ... 6,759,013 ... 6,386,682 1887 ... 6,245,515 ... 6,551,081 1888 ... 5,941.900 ... 7,255,128 1889 ... 6,308,863 ... 9,042.00S 1890 ... 6,260.505 ... 9,428,761 1891 ... 6,503,849 ... 9,400,094 These tables speak for themselves, and need no comment. Wo will simply point out a few facts that ought to be known as to matters of detail. The gold export last year exceeded a millionthe first time that this has been the case since 1879. The value of the kauri gum exported last year was more than in any previous year in our history by £57,000. The increase of our exports must not therefore be all put to the credit of frozen meat and dairy produce. The imports per head ten years ago amounted to £16 18s Id ; the exports to £13 Is sd. Now the imports are £10 6s 6d and the exports £15 3s lOd. When wo glance at the tables of imports we cannot but notice the scope there is for the further development of our own industries. We select the following from last year's imports :— Value. Apparel and slops £324,515 Boots and shoes 149,495 Hats and caps 55.493 Woollen piece goods and blankets ... 149,991 Ba#j and sacks 165,289 Machinery 178,151 We have often heard it said that our New Zealand woollen mills were too many for the colony, yob wo still send away £150,000 a-year for woollen piece goods and blankets. It is generally supposed that the manufacture of boots and shoes has been developed in the colony to a surprising extent, yet for some reason or other we still send another £150,000 a year to employ shoemakers in other lands. More than double the amount sent away for woollen goods and boots is spent for imported "apparel and slops." On reference to the Customs Tariff we find that the duty on apparel and slops is 25 percent., and on blankets, boots, hats, and caps 20 per cent. There must be something wrong. Are the shoemakers and factory hands over paid ? We do not believe it. If that were so what folly were the present outcry about low wages and sweating Is our New Zealand labour wanting in skill and thoroughness ? If this be so, let the outcry, "support local industry," be changed for a determination on tho part of the workers to see to it that their workmanship shall hold its own in the opan market against any that can be brought from elsewhere. Support to local industry that meant a premium to inferior workmanship would not benefit anyone in the long run. There is, however, plenty of room for increased loyalty to local production, which, other things being equal, would give a preference bo tho article produced on the spot. Wo fear that tho bias is very often the other way. There is a common idea that New Zealand colonists are taxed much more heavily than their neighbours. People ought to know better than to talk such nonsense. The fact is, that in this respect thero is little to choose between one colony and another. The following table, showing taxation per head for 1890, will show this : — Western Australia £4 10 7 Queensland 3 8 2 New Zealand 3 6 11 Victoria 3 4 11 Tasmania 3 3 3 New South Wales ,2 9 10 South Australia 2 4 4 In tho case of children at school the whole amount collected in taxation is returned in education. In tho case of adults, who are presumably earning their living, the dif forence between the best colony and the worst in taxation is covered by a very few days' work in the year. We have shown in a previous article that farmers must com pare the amount they pay in taxes with the value of the products yielded by the soil. In that point of view it would be difficult to find a country under the British flag in which taxation sits to lightly as here. The public debt, per head, is higher in Queensland and South Australia than in New Zealand. Our load is heavy enough, but it is growing less. The debt, per head, was £60 12s 2d in 1889, £00 5s 4d in 1890, £59 lis lid in 1891, and £59 2s 2d in March, 1892.

We note on page 91 of the now Hand book some remarks by the editor which should bo seriously pondered by the members of tho various friendly societies, lodges, etc. "The surplus, or deficiency ascertained at the la«t valuation of the different lodges, tents, etc., hasbeen stated by the registrar. Of 328 bodies of whose funds and position valuations were made, only 77 were deemed to bo solvent— showing a surplus. In 251 cases there was a deficiency which varied from a few shillings, or even less, to as much, in one case, as £34'50 per member. The registrar, in his report published in 1891, remarked on the futility of any attempt to generalise the results. The widest divergence between average values in the lodges, which are thus accidentally brought into juxtaposition, appears in a surplus of £20 7 per member, contrasted with a dificiency of £22 3. Even within the smaller field of vision, which embraces one society only at a time, the branches exhibit marked contrasts in respect of their financial position. The adoption of insufficient scales of contributions, the neglect of the close investment of benefit funds, and to some extent the sinking of the capital of benefit funds in unproductive buildings, instead of having it invested at interest, are the chief factors in the present unsatisfactory position of many of the societies ; and it almost appears as if the members of many of the bodies will not be convinced of the importance of those questions so frequently urged upon them until disaster has overtaken them."

V.— THERMAL SPRINGS—MAORIS— THK LAST ASSESSMENT OF PRO-PERTY-CONCLUSION. A very valuable part of the now Official Handbook is the chapter contributed by Dr. Gintlors, tho Medical Superintendent at Rotorua. It seems to us to bo a clear duty, not only to New Zealand, but to suffering humanity, that the facts stated by Dr. Cinders should bo widely known. The doctor writes clearly and dispassionately. He carefully guards against the impression being created that Rotorua is a cure for all disease. Ho says: — "Some six years ago, when I first took up my present position as Superintendent of the Sanatorium at Rotorua, I found that numbers of patients were being sent to tho district; who ought never to have left their homes. Advanced phthisis, chronic Blight's disease, spinal caries, were a few of the ailments supposed to be cured by hot water." Yet cases aro mentioned in detail that show that some classes of sufferers should not abandon hope, until the thermal springs have been tried. The ARIiA OF THE THERMAL SPRINGS DISTRICT is upwards of 600,000 acres, or nearly 1000 square miles. The length of the district is 50 miles, with an average breadth of 20 miles. The temperature of the springs ranges from 60deg to 212deg. Sir James Hector thus classifies the springs that have been examined: — (1) Saline, consisting chiefly of chloride of sodium ; (2) Alkaline, containing carbonates and bicarbonates of soda and potash; (3) Alkaline-Siliciou.B, containing much silicic acid ; (4) Hepalic or sulphurous ; (5) Acid waters, containing an excess of sulphuric or hydrochloric acid, or both. TheSanatoriumreservecontainsabout 50 acres. It is planted with trees and shrubs, enlivened with fountains and flowers, and supplied with commodious buildings for the accommodation of invalids, in addition to tho Sanatorium Hospital. This hospital accommodates 21 patients, who, if unable to pay full hotel charges, and if likely to be benefited by treatment, are received at a nominal tariff. Thero were about 3000 visitors to Rotorua last year, and the number steadily increases. From THE CASES ESPECIALLY BENEFITED, according to Dr. Cinders, we select the following:—"The Rachel Bath ... is useful in all forms of skin disease, indeed, in eczema it may be considered a specific if continued long enough in conjunction with a suitable regimen." Some surprising statements are made as to cures effected in cases of rheumatism and paralysis. " We have many instances on record of patients who, on arrival, required the aid of crutches, or to be actually carried to the bath, and yet went away enjoying the full use of their limbs. . . . Primary functional paralysis, in which there is reason to believe that the nerve-centres have undergone no organic change . . . aro likely to benefit by treatment at Rotorua. A lady aged 36, after a long attack of malarial fever, found herself completely paraphlegic. After a long time she was able to move on crutches, bub had a ten-

I dency to fall backwards Fearing she I might be crippled for life, she determined to try the thermal springs at Rotorua. I found her able to swing herself along on crutches, bearing her weight on the left leg, the right being perfectly powerless. In addition to the battery she had two hot sulphur baths every day. In three weeks she was perfectly well. Another more recent cure is even more remarkable. H. C, a bushman, aged 23, had become perfectly paraphlegic, presumably from exposure to wet and cold. He had been for many months dependent on a Charitable Aid Board, who sent him to Rotorua. For three weeks he was carried to his bath, at the end of which time he was able to stand alone. At the end of five weeks he could walk with two sticks and ride on horseback. In three months he was as well as he had ever been in his life. ... In rheumatism and rheumatic gout we have much success. Hot acidic sulphur baths, at a temperature not exceeding 104deg., or sulphur vapour up to 115deg., taken twice daily for a carefully-regulated time . . . forms our routine treatment. . . . We are able bo quote several cases of cure even where a considerable amount of fibrous anchylosis has existed. A young man became affected with rheumatism while serving as a sailor on the coast, and was reduced to helplessness. He had spent his all without gaining relief. When he had got half-way bo Rotorua,* he found himself at a roadside hotel unable to go further, but a good Samaritan coming along conveyed him in his own carriage to-Rotorua. In less than a month he was completely cured. I think ib is only due to the good Samaritan to state that he was Sir Robert Stout, then Premier of New Zealand. Neuralgias a3 a rule do remarkably well. Patients suffering from sciatica are a numerous class with us, most of them presenting a very chronic history. When the disease is not distinctly associated with gouty or rheumatic diathesis, is not of longstanding,and hasbeen caused by exposure bo cold, it is very quickly cured. A few baths relieve the pain, and there is rarely any stiffness or weakness remaining. . . . Congestion of the liver, biliary catarrh, with jaundice and hemorrhoids, have been cured by the aid of acid 'sulphur waters, which also prove useful as a topical appli cation in ozaena and ulcerated throat." We do not want to make this article read too much like a quack doctor's advertisement, but we print these statements with confidence because they are official and free from exaggeration. We are the more ready to do this because the diseases cured at Rotorua are of a class that are peculiarly distressing, and before which ordinary medical skill is frequently baffled. As many sufferers may read these lines we would venture to suggest that if they think they find hope here, it might be well to gel their own medical attendant to state their easo in writing to Dr. Cinders, and thus obtain his opinion as to the probabilities of benefit before undertaking an expensive and possibly fruitless journey. Our object is to bring these facts before the widest possible circle of readers without sending any sufferer, if we can help it, upon a boot less errand. We have turned with interest to those pages in the Official Handbook which tell of the present position of THE MAORIS. Tho population of the Maoris is stated to be 41,993-22,861 males, and 19,132 females. These numbers are calculated with all possible care, bub are only approximately correct, as natives do not generally register their births or deaths unless well looked after, which is not always possible. It appears that the Maoris are about stationary as regards number. Their birthrate is, however, less than ib ought to be. They have 33.22 per cent, of males under 15 years of age, while the European average is 38.08 per cent. Of females the Maori average is 35.22 per cent, as compared with 42.20 per cent, of Europeans. There are many causes for this low birth rato, the chief cause probably being sexual immorality among the young people befor> marriage. There are twenty principal tribes still existing, the largest, the Ngapuhi, containing 3452 persons; and the smallest, the Muaupoko, containing only 89 persons. As this tribe has only eix males and two females under 15 years of age, its extinction cannot be far off. Of tho 534 prisoners in the gaols of the colony at tho end of last year 94 were Maoris. Tho natives are the landlords of the colony. .It is not generally.known, we think, that the 41,000 Maoris still own more than 10,000,000 acres. Last year they had 75,833 acres in crop and grass, and owned 262,763 sheep, 42,912 cattle, and 86,259 pigs. Tho number of horses owned by them is not given, though this must be considerable. In December, 1891, tho Maoris had 3775 children at school. They certainly take their full share in the politics of the country. Thero are four Maori members in the House of Representatives and two in the Legislative Council In tho last general election, 7086 Maoris voted—i.e., more than one-sixth of the* whole population, including men, women and children. We think ib would not be easy to match that fact in any civilised community ! LAND VALUES.

We are now drawing near to the end of our task, which has been to select for comment the facts of most general interest in the new Official Handbook. There is an important addendum, which contains an interesting report from the Commissioner of Taxes upon tho valuation of the land of bhe colony, recently made under the Land and Income Assessment Act, 1891. Here are figures showing tho increased value of property in New Zealand during the three years, 1888-1891. 1888. 1891. Increase. N. Island £49,607,873 £57,441,115 £7,833,242 M. Island 61,529,841 64.783,914 3,254,073 We note here an increase of £11,000,000 in the value of property in tho colony in three years, and those years in which thousands of people have left our shores, under the impression that " the bottom had gone out of the country," and that we were rushing headlong to financial perdition. Lot it be noted, too, that more than twothirds of this increase is in the North Island. Of the £8,000,000 increase in this Island, £6,500,000 is in the counties and £1.300,000 in the boroughs. The Middle Island is still tho wealthier of the two, but if the present ratio of increase is maintained in this island there will be little, if any, difference between the two when the next valuations are made in 1894. "In considering the results of this assessment, it should be- remembered that it has been raado aba time when in no part of the colony did any excitement in land dealing exist, and there was nothing like a boom, if one or two small local districts are excepted." Here is the result of the assessment for our four largest cities — Auckland £4,934,288 Wellington 5,865,778 Christchurch 3,403,566 Dunedin 4,193,422 It must be kept in mind, however, that Wellington has no valuable boroughs close to it as the other cities have. Ib may be interesting to compare the assessors' value of several of the best known towns and boroughs of the colony : —Napier, £1,275,853 ; Invercargill, £959,140 ; Nelson, £942,370; Lyttelton, £851,730; Sydenham, £821,060; Oamaru, £612,571; Wanganui, £543,403; Palmerston North, £489,618 ; Timaru, £442,830; Devonporb, £407,333. CONCLUSION. Our space is now filled and these articles must come bo an end. They have been written in the beautiful springtime, when field and meadow, hedgerow and garden, are bright with hope and full of promise. In this fresh, study of " New Zealand and Her People According to the Census of 1891," we have felt that it is early springtime in the financial history of our colony. The winter of depression and discouragement is past. Even while it lasted ib has been less severe than our fears led us to think, for healthy and substantial progress has never ceased. New Zealand has never known three such years of progress as the last three, when our exports have leaped up from six millions to nine, and settlement and cultivation have been quietly spreading in all directions. Never were our farmers doing so well as now, and their prosperity means the prosperity of the whole community. We are learning to believe in one another, and in the future of the land which is to be the home of our children. There are many sure indications that the last decade of the nineteenth century will see New Zealand in wealth , and well-being of her people, as she is already in climate and resources, second to no country on the face of tho earth. The opportunity is ours if we are wise enough to-seize id. .<; ;

WHEAT. 1 Area. i Produce. I Yield Acres. Bu-hels. per acre. Queensland .. ..I 19,306 392,309 20.33 New south Wales .. 856,666 3,»6t,668 11.11 Victoria .. .. 1,332,033 13,679,288 10.20 South Australia .. 1,1,5:,4 3 0,630.488 4.90 Western Australia.. 20,800 295,020 11.00 Tasmania .. .. 47,584 937,080 19.25 New Zealand .J 402,273 10,257,738 25.50 OATS. Area. | Product;. Yield Acres, j Bushels, per aciv. Queen-land .. .. 715 10,009 23.31 New South Wales.. 12,958 276,259 21.32 Victoria .. .. 190,157 4,45.",451 23.43 South Australia .. 12,037 80,870 0 16 Western Australia. 1,801 18,214 14.00 Tasmania .. .. 28,300 870,573 30.91 New Zealand .. 323,508 11,009,020 34.03 barley! Area. . Produce. Yield Acres, i Bushels, per Acre. Queensland .. .. 739 21,302 28.83 New South Wales .. 4,450 93 440 20.90 Vict ria .. .. 45,021 844,178 1875 South Australia .. 11,401 107,183 9.18 Western Australia .. 3,738 48,591 13.00 Tasmania .. .. 2,650 71,080 27 05 New Zealand.. .. 24,268 688,633 28.38 POTATOES. Yield" Area. Produce, per Acre. Acres. Tons. Tons. Queensland .. .. 9,173 25,018 2.73 New South Wales .. 22,560 61,320 2.72 Victoria .. .. 57,334 200,523 3.50 South Australia .. 6,832 27,824 4.04 Western Australia .. 531 1,693 3.00 Tasmania .. .. 16,393 63,100 3.84 New Zealand .. . . 27,206 162,040 6.94