AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1883. "MEASURES, NOT MEN."

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVI, Issue 997, 8 December 1883, Page 2

AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1883. "MEASURES, NOT MEN."

The Convention of delegates from the Governments of the Australian Colonies which has been held in Sydney during the present week is likely to have its place in history. The first step has thus been taken in the direction of that concerted action and federal union which sooner or later circumstances will force upon the British de. pendencies in the Pacific. The Dominion of A ustralia has passed now from the conception of theorists and the post's dream into the field of practical politics, and as events march quickly in these days and climes, who shall say that a very few years will not see the Dominion a political fact 1 The Convention met for two distinct purposes — the considsration of the annexation of certain of the Pacific Islands and of the federation of the Colonies in regard to certain definite objects. We shall confine our present remarks to the former question, in respect of which the Convention have agreed to resolutions which will be forthwith communicated to the Secretary of State for sub. mission to Her Majesty's royal consideration. Our readers are aware that subsequently to the rather high-minded proceedings of Queensland . in taking upon herself to annex the eastern portion of New Guinea, the Agents-Gene-ral of the Australasian Colonies had been urging upon Lord Derby the necessity of placing the islands off the coast of Australia under the British flag. It was represented that the present lawless state of the "Western Pacific is a scandal to the community which conducts the trade ot these regions ) that the possession, of these lands by a foreign power would be a perpetual menace to Australia in the event of Great Britain being involved in war ; and. that the proposal of the French Government to use these lands nearest to the coast of Queensland as conricb settlements was regarded with horror by the whole body of colonists. It is unnecessary here to refer to the memoranda which passed between Lord

Derby and the Agents-General. The position taken by the English Government will be understood^ by the repi^ 1 of His Lordship to a specific question from Mr Murray Smith (the ' Agent of Victoria) on,Octot>er 24* th. Lord Derby reiterated the .obstacles^ which stand in the way of annexation, but stated thab "if the proposed Con. ference in Australia should decide that annexation is desirable, he would be willing to discuss details and ascertain how far such- a course is'practicable.' 1 If the Colonies would federate, he added, or agree regarding annexation, there would then be less, difficulty in the transfer of Imperial obligations j but '•it is impossible, in the absence of assurances as to how the Colonies would discharge these obligations, to state whether the .Imperial Government would approve the annexation in any case or not." The resolutions of the Convention are, to our mind, thoroughly practical and to the point. In the first place, the declaration is made that the further acquisition by any foreign power of any islands in the Western Pacific would be highly detrimental to the future safety and prospects of the British dependencies in Australia and injurious to the interests of the Empire. The Convention refrain from suggesting the means by which this should be prevented, "in the confident hope that thelmperial Government will promptly and wisely take the most efficient steps to secure the safety and contentment of the distant portion of the Empire." No distinct recommendation as to annexation is made, except in regard to New Guinea; but the opinion is emphatically expressed that such steps should be taken immediately, so as " most conveniently and effectually to secure incorporation with the British Empire of so much of New Guinea as is not claimed by Holland." In regard to the New Hebrides, the Convention urge that it is extremely desirable that the understanding between France and England recognising the independence of these islands should be embodied in a definite permanent agreement in order to secure them against foreign domination. The hope is further expressed that Her Majesty's Government will avail themselves of any opportunity of negotiations with France to try to secure control of the New Hebrides . in the interests of Australasia. The Convention protests, in the strongest manner, against the carrying into effect of the proposals of the French Government to send transports to the Pacific of large numbers of convicted habitual criminals, and urges Her Majesty's Government to employ every means to prevent the final adoption of measures so disastrous to Australasia. Lord Derby has stated, on several occasions, that the Colonies must be prepared to bear the expense of any extension of British rule in the Pacific ; and the Convention had to take this important phase of the question into consideration. With the exception of Mr Whitaker (the late Premier of New Zealand), all the delegates are members of the Government in their respective Colonies, and they have agreed to submit and recommend to the several Parliaments measures providing for the guarantee of a share of the cost of annexation by permanent appropriation; such share to be calculated on the basis of population.

We shall have more to say upon this very important subject, and shall take an early opportunity of discussing the resolutions of the Convention in regard to federation.

The Waitahuna Farmers' Club, in spite of all difficulties and the want of assistance from their neighbours of Tuapeka district, have stuck to their work manfully, and, as will be seen from a glance at the liberal prize-list, have been successful beyond the expectation of even the most sanguine. We feel gratified that the County is possessed of some men with a d«sire for improvement and the wish to develop the resources placed at th«r disposal to the best advantage ; and who can say that, to encourage the breeding of the best stock possible, is not one of the first points in furthering this end 1 The great fault of Colonial farming as a rule is that too much is left to the chance-process and the happy-go-lucky style. It is, therefore, refreshing to find that there are a few who do not incline to stick to this hackneyed and thread-bare style, bringing unsatisfactory results with it, but are inclined to strike out a new departure for themselves in reasonable expectation of being well repaid for their trouble. They are fully aware of the evil of carelessness in stockbreediug, and have, therefore, been prepared at the outset to encounter a host of difficulties in order to educate those deficient in agricultural schooling to a sense of the importance of paying attention to stock-breeding, and thus benefit themselves and the country. Some improvement is beginning to show itself in some instances in breeding of stock in this district, and this can very distinctly be traced to the effect of exhibitions of stock in giving breeders an idea of the true form of well-bred animals. Everyone ought to know that by "paying attention to select the proper forms to breed from, the classes of animals suited for different purposes can be obtained, such as cows which will give the most and the best quality of milk, and bullocks which will carry the most and the primest beef. They also ought to know that if the converse rule of carelessness is adopted, the very reverse will be the case until a class of stock is reared which will neither yield milk nor carry beef. Who hasn't heard of the Australian warrigal — that species of the equine race bred in-and-in until a form of weed is produced with hardly strength sufficient to carry the saddle. This species of animal is surely a very remarkable example of the evil effects of carelessness in breeding, and contrasts greatly with the well-bred hunter or stock horse with so much stay and powers of endurance in his frame. Probably this picture of the effects of carelessness in breeding may scarcely be applicable as yet to this part of the country, but it shows very plainly the evil effects of the careless system and what results can be attained in the wrong direction. But we have every confidence that in this part of the country the evil nas been taken in time to avert such lamentable consequences as

th||p abova^ie^rred to.i The Club are, tlfiefore, en|ij;l«4 to no small amount of crjiait for w'gbod 'effects which are now dlfcfernible ih •" Checking the evil, and undoubtedly tbje good r&ults at present d)Bcertiible are nbtatith^of what will follow injthe fixture. although having to encpuiiter many difficulties at the outset, may now be said to be " through the wood, 1 ' and to be fairly on its legs. We would recommend parties to have a look at the show-programme in order to judge of the success which has attended the efforts of the Club and the elaborate arrangement's made f6r the' "entertainment of the public. The programme, it will be seen, contains 83 items with liberal prizes attached, and cannot fail to induce the turn-out of a good field. It will also be observed that the Industrial School Band (under the supervision of Mr Titchener) is to be on the ground to give a pleasing effect to the proceedings. The Club also, through the influence of the member, Mr J. C. Brown, have been able to procure the running of special trains to suit the occasion. Granted fine weather, in addition to the liberal arrangements made for the convenience of the public, we may safely prophesy a most successful issue on show day to the labours of the Waitahuna Farmers' Club.

Now that the export of frozen-meat trade has become f.iirly established as a source to be depended upon for an outlet to surplus stock, the next question which should be taken into consideration is the plan which should be adopted to make the most of the trade, so as to give our enterprising stock-raisers the best return possible for their produce. On looking at the prices ruling in the London market for , the , New Zealand meat, which, has been admitted to be in no way inferior to English-raised meat, we find to our astonishment, a difference .in price which seems unaccountable — no less a difference than 3d or 4d per pound wholesale. Why the New Zealand meat should sell so much lower in the market after being admitted to be equal to the English article is a matter which wants some explanation ; but the explanation, we think t will not be far to seek, and no doubt li&^ in the fact that some of the London^/ butchers are doing a stroke at the expense of the Colonial breeders. We cannot afford in these hard times to forego any advantage fairly accruing from any of the resources of the country, and this, being now among the chief of the country's resources, should be guarded very jealously. Threepence or fourpeuce per lb of a loss on the quantity of meat which has been exported from New Zealand is a heavier one than should be borne witli meekness, and the stock-raisers will be very much to blame and doing a great injustice to both themselves and the country if they do not endeavor to set about a remedy as soon as possible. It is now very well known that the greater quantity of New Zealand meat is sold by London retail butchers as English, and of course the difference betwixt the wholesale price at which New Zealand meat is bought and the retail price when themeatispalmedbff as English goes into the batchers' pockets. Knowing that this jobbery of converting New Zealand meat into English is carried on on a pretty gigantic scale, we wouldn't be at all surprised if a fair exchange were made in the terms sometimes and the scraggy, unsaleable, and inferior carcasses of English meat get the credit of being the New Zealand article : of course, this would add to the character of the Colonial article and tend to give it a higher standing in the market. Seeing that so many loopholes for roguery' are open, it behoves those having the welfare of this country at heart to try to adopt a cure for the evil which has been developed, and will, no doubt, if not checked, assume larger proportions. A suggestion has been thrown out by a correspondent to the " Lyttelton Times " which ought to recommend itself to the consideration or stockowners and others. He suggests that a strong company should be formed in this Colony, with a capital of £250,000, and that an agency should be established at Home for the sale of the real New Zealand article at its legitimate price, in order that the full returns of the export-trade should come to this country instead of being pocketed by London sharpers. He is of opinion that the company could be floated by getting the four cities of Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland to each take 2000 £5 shares and the smaller towns the balance. It is evident thai some such scheme is wanted to protect the interests of New Zealand, and those alive to their own interests and the interests of the country will, no doubt move in the matter at an early date, as they must see that they cannot afford to be swindled outof their rights in the manner indicated.