THE Otago Daily Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1872.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3247, 3 July 1872, Page 4

THE Otago Daily Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 1872.

Amongst the various subjects of great public interest to be brought before the General Assembly at its approaching session in. Wellington, not the least in importance is that of Intercolonial Free Trade. This matter is perhaps attracting more attention in some of the Australian Colonies than in New Zealand—possibly because we are not quite aware of the benefits that would accrue to this Colony by such an arrangement. On the whole, we believe this Colony would be a greater gainer by such an arrangement than anyone of the Australian Colonies, possessing as it does agreat variety of soil and climate, and also the natural facilities for manufactures and trade, such as an abundance of coal, water-power, harbours, <fee. It is only necessary to find a market for such articles as we can easily produce, to turn these great advantages to account ; but it is above all things essential to find such markets, otherwise we fear it is almost useless to attempt to foster new industries by grants of public money. With a fair prospect of reward for their enterprise, private capitalists would establish many new industries amongst us without any assistance from Government, except in rare instances whore the difficulties to be overcome at first starting are more than ordinary. Fortunately for us, we have in the Australian Colonies, on the whole, the best of markets in the world for such articles as we are capable of producing, and nearly all these Colonies are now inviting us to enter into an arrangement which would be mutually profitable to all. Hitherto the Imperial Government has pi'ohibited such a thing as Intercolonial Free Trade in the Australasian group of Colonies ; but judging from the tone of a recent despatch from Lord Kimbeblby to the Government of South Australia, this prohibition appears likely to be withdrawn, and it would seem that it now only practically remains with the Colonies themselves to complete arrangements- with each other. We are glad to find that the Imperial Government appears willing to withdraw its objections to the matter, and thereby prevent much annoyance to the Colonies). We have always held that

it would not do otherwise than sanction ifc, provided the Colonies united and persisted in their efforts to obtain ifc. Having granted to Canada the privilege of reciprocal commercial intercounie with the United States, it was, as an act of common justice, bound to grunt somewhat similar privileges to the Australasian Colonies. The ostensible reason advanced by the Imperial Government for its objection to:such a measure hitherto, has been that it might be held to interfere with Treaties concluded by Great Britain with various Foreign States. As the Australasian Colonies are within the British Empire, ifc is probable that in the eye of International Law any reciprocal arrangements entered into between themselves would not be held to interfere with Foreign Treaties.

It is gratifying to find that this matter is tending to a satisfactory conclusion, and we hope the General Assembly will endeavour to bring about a final settlement without much more delay. In the present circumstances of the Colony it cannot afford to allow any of its best industries to languish. The articles of local production that will be most interested at the present time are beer, grain, dairy produce, timber, and cordage, for which New Zealand is preeminently fitted to supply the Australian Colonies. Beer would in a few years.probably become a leading article of export. To quote the words of the Jurors' Reports on the New Zealand Exhibition, 1865, Class 111. :—

' The climate of New Zealand is eminently adapted for the successful brewing of ale and portw, and, in this respect, the brewers of this Colony have a great advantage over those in Australia, where the 'temperature is so high, and subject to such great variation in the course of twenty-four hours, as to make brewing at almost all times a risky operation. In New Zealand every condition that is considered necessary for the production of first-class ales may be found ; a plentiful supply of excellent water, and a moderate temperature, equally suited for malting as for the operations of brewing. The soil and climate are also well adapted to the growth of barley and hops, although the cultivation of these is not so extensive as it ought to be. With the possession of such eminent advantages for the manufacture of ale and porter, the brewing trade of New Zealand will no doubt become one of the most important branches of Co lonial industiy. This hope is much strengthened by the result of the inspection of the various samples submitted to the jury, and it can scarcely be doubted that New Zealand will become the great brewing, as Australia will become the great wine-growing, country for the supply of the Southern

markets.'