CURRENT TOPICS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1715, 11 January 1905, Page 49

CURRENT TOPICS.

Amongst cur illustrations this week is a likeness of the late John Blimmer. It is given to few men to resell the great age of ninety-tiir-eo years. The death of the ‘‘Father of Wellington” as the deceased was familiarly known, comes as a reminder that one by one the pioneers of this colony are departing. There is with most of us a feeling of reverence for those who have borne the heat and burden of colonisation. John Blimmer was one of these. Hrt name has b en closely associated with the early history of this city, m which he resided for a period of over sixty years. He was one of the foremost of its citizens in the display of enterprise, and a concern with which his name is indelibly associated is the Manawatu Railway. Mr Blimmer never swerved in his advocacy of tins important work. He bad a firm belief in the benefit such a line would confer upon Wellington, in the country it would oneir up, and in its financial prospects. Indeed, wi bout hie personal support the line might never have been made. Another matter to which reference may justly bo made is Mr Plimmer’s intimate connection with the ‘‘New Zealand Times” and “New Zealand Mail.” He was a thorough believer in the advantage and benefit to a community of the press, and supported the proprietary of th so papers in the most practical way on several occasions during their hr ory. Ho bad the satisfaction in his later years of knowing that, largely owing to his support, they had attained a prosperous and respected position in the community. Mr Plimmer saw ike city gradually develop inre the mo„t mportant business centre ol New Zealand. He ever took an interest in its welfare, and p ussed away .n> with years, leaving behind him amongst the residents of Welk'ngton feelings of the highest respect for his memory and for the work lie accomplished in the “prime and vigour of manhood strong.”

The pictures of the young men drowned in the yachting fatality off Wellington Heads, reproduced in this issue. will recall to mind the sail bereavement which the relatives of the deceased have suffered by this tragic calamity. It is rendered all the mere regret table because of the fact that the accident

happened at a time when most people were “making merry” in ce.ebration of the New Year holidays. The sudden removal of three young men with prospects bright and h p;hly respected members of the community, is very sad indeed, and leaves its impress upon those who ponder over the seriousness of the lamentable incident.

This fatality has.given rise to some correspondence on the- advisableness of having an official sum rvision over yachts that sail from Wellington harbour, in and out, and across the Strait to the Sounds. The competency of those handling the Tea Roa is in no way brought into' question. The main noint for consideration rt that the yachts should be thoroughly equipped in the matter of life-saving apparatus. It is clear that very little has been done m the past in this direction. Few, ii any, of the yachts in Wellington harbour have life-saving gear on board, uid the late fatality will doubdess make che controlling authorities of yachting in Wellington realise that some good might be accomplished by seeing that the yachts sailing about \velungi :i harbour are properly furnished in this respect.

Australia is a land of extremes, that is, o far os climatic conditions are concerned. The recent beat in the neighbouring continent, with its loss of life and property, and the disastrous drought of a year or so back, show to what extent the people there are subject to the varying conditions cf the seasons. Christmas- time in Wellington saw cheerful fires, and the women dressed in furs and mufflers. “There

doesn't appear to he any summer here this year at all,” said those who were wont to illumine Iximbton Quay at Christmas in summer gowns and light and airy costumes. Yet tlie drawbacks we have suffered in regard to tin season’s vagaries are as nothing compared to what our neighbours across the Tasman Soi. have had to put- up with. “I travelled for miles and miles in Australia without seeing a running brook or streamlet,” said a. New Zealander who saw life on camel back over the desert of Western Australia. “Here in New Zealand you can’t go a mile without striking an artesian well or a river,” ho added. For which New Zealanders will be thankful. Our sympathies go out to those in the Commonwealth who at this season of the year have met with such serious misfortune.

The dairying industry continues to prosper in tins colony. Last season New Zealand exported butter and to the value of close on a million and three-quarters sterling, and at the end of the 1904-5 season the total quantity of dairy produce exported is estimated to reach the valhe of two million storing. lliis must be gratii'ying to everyone wlm has the welfare of the colony at heart. The dairying industry m New Zealand has of recent years developed by “leaps and bounds. * 5 In proof of this fact, it need only be mentioned that in 1895 our total exports of butter and cheese oniy reached the sum of £378,510, against £1,513,065 in 1903, and against the still larger tctal last season and the anticipated increase for the present season. Our dairy export trade is rapidly overtaking the frozen meat exports, and although the latter industry and the wool exports are still on the top of the list, the dairy expoits continue to become more and more important in the aggregate total of New Zealand’s outward trade.

The land policy of the government, „ Inch gives “small” people an opportunity of taking up suitable dairying areas, must be credited with a share of the success which is attending tins industry. In addit.on, the Government has instituted a system of grading that is not surpassed m the Amralasian colonies, and may justly be the envy of our neighbours on the island continent. There the producers have raised considerable objection to the of compulsory grad.ng in vogue in New Zealand, but lengthy experience of the System must convince all interested in this industry that to our perfect system of grading must in great measure- heart ribu ted the success which has rewarded the efforts of New Zealand prouuoens. New Zealana nutter stands high in the London market to-day, notwithstanding the advantages which Denmark and Argentina, by reason of then' close proximity to the Home Oorts, have over the New Ze .land product in this respect. Mr Pedersen, the Dniish expert whose services were secured by the New Zealand Government some time ago, is of opinion that the dairy nroducts of this colony are in no way nferior to the Danish m uiutactured article, although, naturally, the latter will always be abL to get on the marker first. Our producers, too, are devoting more attention to the better lion mm cf their cattle and to the improvement of their land in the matter of fodder for their stock. The best milking strains are being procured by degrees, as experience begins to convince the settlers that the weedy stock mart be sorted out to give place to themed preliable producing strains.

During tlie session the leader of the Opposition took the opportunity on several occasions of assailing tne policy of the Government in the matter of expenditure on agricultural interests. He alleged that too much money was being spent'on the farming community. This seemed a strange method of criticism from one representing the farmers, and lie was, not unnaturally, taken to task for it by the Premier, who expressed the hope that the country people would take note of the actions of the leader of the Onnosition. In the course of an interview at Invercargill last week, Sir Joseph Ward dealt with some comments made by Mr Massey in regard to the poultry industry. “It was not to be expected.” declared the Minister of Railways, “'that starting a new industry it should pay at once. That the Government had done the right tiling was shown by the fact that the returns of the second year were much larger in proportion to the department’s expenditure on the poultry section, and he expected that as in other branches the Government had taken up in the interest of producers, the industry would soon be on a self-reliant footing.” 6ir Joseph Ward’s remarks are timely. Too often opponents of the Government overlook the fact that considerable initial expenditure is involved in starting an industry, and that some time must elapse before any adequate return can be expected for the outlay. The promoters of private industries will readily appreciate this point- In regard to poultry, there can be no question that this industry has come to stay. It is only in its infancy in this colony, and with the necessary expert guidance, it gives promise of developing into a very important industry. The orders from South Africa for thousands of head of ] poultry which this colony is unable to fulfil alone indicate that there is plenty of scope for development.