POSITION OF NEW ZEALAND.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1217, 27 January 1886, Page 5

POSITION OF NEW ZEALAND.

The following extracts from a private letter received by a Christchurch resident from a gentleman in London, who takes a deep interest in the affairs of the Coloiy, have been placed at the disposal of the Chriatchurch " Press " :—: —

" In your letter you say that your friend tells you that I hold the most gloomy views about the future of New Zealand. It would be a better expression of my views to say th.it I consider the outlook gloomy unless the ideas of the people and the method of government change for the better. When attributing to me most gloomy views it is possible you have allowed your mind to be too much influenced by the favorable features of the outlook, and I think that if you and myself could sit down to a quiet talk, you would find that we are all pretty fairly in agreement upon the points on which I hold that the outlook is very unsatisfactory. At this distance I shall not attempt any discussion, but I should be sorry if men of whose brains I have a very high opinion, should come to the conclusion that I hold views which are not fairly warranted by the facts.

" I have considered, and now consider, New Zealand to be a land with a magnificent future, if properly handled. I think that much mischief has already been done by bad management, and that the future of the Colony depends npoa. hh.e chances of its falling into the hands of shrewd men, and the prospect of the spread of sounder ideas than those now in the majority. I look with hope for higher prices for our exports, and expect an advance sooner or later ; but I expect none that is likely to cover the effects of reckless management if it be continued as at present.

" Foremost in the troubles of New Zealand I place its would-be popular Government, whose extravagance has not only plunged the country into debt but has demoralised the minds' and habits of the people. This demoralisation I consider the greatest danger of the future. There are masses in the country who will demand the expenditure of borrowed money simply that labor may be found, reckless of the after-consequences, and leaders on all hands who will intrigue for the construction of a particular public work in their district, regardless of its effect upon the colony as a whole. The whole Budget of the colony is extravagant for its circumstances and over-burdensome for its true interests. The taxation is extremely heavy, and in many instances both unfair and unwise. The expenditure on education is ridiculously heavy for the needs and position of tha country. Take the amount spent on education : consider it in the light of its proportion to the total income from property, and you will see what I mean. Then look at the heavy property tax. A much smaller amount would be needed if the windbags who are leading the education craze would be content with the simple three R's, which it may be admitted the State should supply."