ENGLISH OPINION OF NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8846, 25 November 1889, Page 4

ENGLISH OPINION OF NEW ZEALAND.

Mr W. Montgomery, at one time M.H.R. for Akaroa, has just returned from a prolonged visit of two years to England. He says that a great change has come over public opinionin theOldCountryrcgarding this Colony. When ho arrived in London two years ago he was assailed everywhere with the cry, “ Are not things in a very bad way out there ? Aren’t you very heavily in debt'? Do you think you’ll be able to pay the interest ?” The idea in people’s mind was that we had borrowed very largely; that we were constantly having recourse to fresh loans ; that we had annually recurring deficits in our budgets ; and that a great many people were leaving the Colony. Mr Montgomery says a great change has taken place in public opinion during the last six or eight months. People have seen by the published statements that we are making the two ends meet and had a surplus in our public finance; that the Parliament had decided not to borrow for at any rate three years ; and that our exports were large. The conversation ran thus ; —“ Well, things are looking better out there ; 1 think you’ll pull through.” The general impression now is that New Zealand has recovered considerably, and is still recovering rapidly, from a state of depression in which she has been for a long time, that economy—public and private—has taken the place of extravagance, and that if this economy continues and the seasons are favourable, the future of the Colony is assured of success.”