THE DAILY TELEGRAPH ON THE CONDITION OF AUSTRALASIA.

Thames Advertiser, Volume X, Issue 2625, 17 May 1877, Page 3

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH ON THE CONDITION OF AUSTRALASIA.

In his recent speech to his constituents at Sheffield upou the condition of British trade, Mr Mundella found somo consolation in tho fact that the depression under which our industries are languishing is not confined to our shores alone, but extends over the whole of Europe, and has reached its climax in tho United States. Instead of rejoicing with the member for Sheflield that, in harmouy with the commercial stagnation of England, the state of Belgium is also post deplorable, that German trade is frightfully depressed, and that the American workman is worse off than his English brother, wo turn with satisfaction to a couutrv which is blessed with'uninterrupted prosperity. Twoof our Australian colonies, New South Wales and New Zealand, have taken advantage of the opportunity afforded by the Centennial Jixnibition iu tno United States to make themselves better known abroad, with a view to showing that there is no portion of the globe which offers greater promise to industrious immigrants than the country upon the shores of which Captain Cook firstplanted the English Hag rather moro than a century ago. We have, indeed, rarely read a more striking record of national progress and development than is contaiucd in a little volumo called "An Kssay on New South Wales," from the pen of Mr G. H. JReid. lie tells us that within tho thirty years between 1841 and lb7l tho population of Australasia rose from 214,000 to 2,000,000 souls, or 834 per cent.; whilst during tho samo period the population of Canada and tho United States increased at the rate of 660 and 126 per cent. Withiu tho samo generation Australian trade rose from an aggregate of £6,000,000 to £03,000,000 per annum; whilo botween the end of 1871, and the end of 1874, the volume of Antipodean commerco was further swollen till it reached £87,000,000 in the latter year, being an increase of 38 per cent, in thoro years. We learn, furthermore, that in 1874, 6,600,000 tons of shipping cleared the colonial ports; that7o,ooo,ooohead of live stock now range the colonial pastures; that there are nearly 5,000,000 acres under cultivation; that 2000 miles of railway aroopen; that 26,000 miles of telegraphic wire connect every part of the country with tho rest of tho world.

Finally, the annual revenues of the several Governments combined amount to £14,000,000 sterling. When we are told thatthe climate isdelightful, and especially so in New South Wales, New Zealand, and Tasmania, there is _ nothing wanted to complete the attractiveness of this astonishing exhibit. Surrounded by evidence of failing' trade and diminished exports in the Old World, we are reminded by the Now World of the Hebrew prophet in tho Book of Judges, whoso fleece of wool was miraculously wet with Heaven-sent dew, while the rest of the land wa3 dried up and sterile. Nor is it possible to conceivo anything more remarkable than the rapid progress whioh New South Wales has made since the adoption by tho Legislature of the Free Trade tariff which has contributed so materially to our own national woalth. Ten years ago it was generally believed that Victoria was destined soon to outstrip her sisters, and to become the Queen Colony of the Australasian Group. Thus, in 1870, Victoria was far ahead of New South Wales in population, in amount of revenue, in value of exports, and in bank deposits. Five short years have, however, wrought a marvellous change in the relative position of the two colonies. Their revenues are now about equal, or not less than £5,000,000 sterling apiece, while in 1875 and 1876 the exports of New South Wales far exceeded those of her southern neighbor.u It is,_ indeed, impossible to comparo the statistics of Great Britain with those of New South Wales, as regards land, revenue, commerce, export of home produce and manufactures, shipping, minerals, and live stock, without marvelling at the amazing success which has accompanied the spread of Anglo-Saxon colonisation over this distant and fa pored land.

New South Wales is perhaps more adapted than any other country iu the world to be the paradise of sheep, cattle and horses. The area of Great Britain and Ireland is about 78,000,000 acres, but that of the original colony of the Austin lias is nearly three times larger, being 207,000,000 acres. Tho population of the mother couutry is 32,500,000; the population of her fair daughter is little more than 600,0C0 souls. Bui when we come to compare tho live siosk of the two countries, the disparity between the numbei'3 of their respective iuhabitanis passes aliogether out of sight, hus Great Britain and Ireland contain rather more than 51,000,000 head of cattle, sheep, pigs, and horses, agaiust more than 26,000,000 head ihat flow South Wales exhibits.' Many generatious must pass before the colony numbers as many living souls as the United Kingdom, but it is probable that within the next generation she will havo overtaken us iu the aggregate of her live stock. Her sheep and cattle are multiplying with astonishing rapidity, and require no legislative stimulation to augment their numbers. Yet when the present Governor of Nosv South Wales, Sir Hercules Bobinson, entered upon his high office at Sydney, he perceived that much good might be done ifho showed his Australian compatriots [how to improve their horses by encouraging the importation of English thoroughbreds. Four years ago tho Australian Turf was in alanguishingcondition, and the wealthy landowners and merchants of the colonies looked askance at a pursuit which bad until then been abandoned to blacklegs and professional betting men. At this juncture Sir Hercules determined, by the i'orco of his example to purify and make the turf fashionable; nor can it be denied that he has already done much to elevate Australian horse-racing by inducing the higher classes in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia to become owners of racehorses. . . • . Marvellous though the numbers may appear, there are nearly 400,000 horses in New South Wales, which contains little more than 600,000 human beings. It is probable that before theclose of the present century Australasia will have more horses than England, and in that case Sir Hercules Bobinson will be remembered as a wise and prescient Governor, who conferred enduring benefits alike upon the colony and the mother country.