A National Policy for New Zealand.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume IV, 1 April 1901, Page 545

A National Policy for New Zealand.

By C. Cargiu

3sßs\ ■^^ ne recent course of events has ,J^fey- directed public attention to the (lwsl consideration of the best means of "f^x developing the resources and extending the commerce of this favoured land, it will surely not be out of place to outline a scheme by which this undertaking might be accomplished.

Though the following remarks are necessarily imperfect, yet they will have served a useful purpose if they arouse an interest in this subject, so that others more capable of dealing with it may be induced to take the matter in hand with a greater chance of success. No more important subject than the one dealt with in this paper could claim the attention of every section of the community. Therefore no apology is needed for briuging this question before the notice of the public in a magazine which deals with matters of special interest to New Zealand.

But in order that a national policy should have a fair chance of succeeding, it is first necessary that two preliminary conditions should be understood and accepted. If these are rejected, the whole scheme will fall to the ground when an attempt is made to formulate it.

If a national policy is to become possible it must be outside the range of party politics. It takes for granted that there are certain problems to be solved for the advantage of the whole community, and that this solution may be best accomplished by the united effort of politicians of every shade of opinion. It does not imply that these politicians will be forced to surrender other opinions that more strictly belong to party, but that they will

be reserved for occasions more suitable for their exposition and propagation.

Again, it must be distinctly understood that personal ambition is to become subordinate to the higher interests of the country. The temptation to advance mero party interests must be suppressed in order to promote a cause superior to the gains and triumphs of political ascendancy. The disunion of faction should be replaced by the united effort of all classes to discover a secure path for the further development of the country. If these two conditions cannot be accepted in their integrity, then it is useless to attempt to construct a policy that may be regarded as national. The following remarks are, therefore, based upon the assumption that a national policy is both possible and expedient. Before examining the scope and purport of such questions it would be well to first suggest the means by which they might be brought within the range of practical legislation. The Government of the day might introduce some such measure when the time was ripe for its discussion. If the House of Representatives on the voices approved of the principles and aim of the measure, it might be proceeded with in the usual way. If it was evident thft this view of the matter was not unanimous, then the measure would be dropped for that sessiou. In the next session, provided the interest in the measure had been maintained or even increased during the recess, it would be again introduced into the House of Representatives, and if not approved on the voices might be

put to the vote and cai'ried by a majority. Supposing the measure had been assented to in one of these ways, it would then be referred to a general committee of members most capable of dealing with the subject, and would be thoroughly threshed out in committee, dealing with the question purely upon its mei'its. When the measure as a Bill was brought back to the House, it would be passed in the ordinary way. If the Legislative Council materially altered or rejected the Bill, it would be submitted to a referendum of the people, and their decision either way would settle the matter for the time being.

It now remains to consider what kind of questions might be considered as national in their bearing and insults.

(1) Those which relate to the most profitable methods for disposing of the pi'oducts of this country by discovering the best markets for their sale. Upon this subject reports have frequently come from agents and experts abroad telliug the same tale. It is remarkable that they are unanimous in their opinion without the suspicion of collusion' ol* consultation. They all agree that the commodities sent to England are equal to and often surpass in quality those of other countries, yet owing to defective business arrangements and no concerted course of action, the profit is much less than it ought to be, and intermediaries receive the larger portion. Furthermore, the trade does not extend and spread as it should do. This results from want of proper combination between the several parties whose aim should be to place in a more direct way the products of this country before intending purchasers in other lands. It must surely be generally admitted that such a matter might be encouraged and assisted by special legislation in a way that will remove present difficulties, and will open out fresh channels for the sale of natural products.

■ (2) There are also special features aud advantages peculiar to New Zealand which require further development. In the past they have been neglected. But the neglect

was not culpable, for the time had not yet arrived in the early days when settlers were laying the necessary foundations of ordinary civilisation. Everything could not be done at once, and of course precedence was given to those matters which would uot brook delay. But New Zealand, having now reached that stage when all the first elements of civilisation have been firmly established, surely the time has come when her people should cultivate and develop those natural advantages which cannot be classed as ordinary gifts. If these exist, then they bear the same obligation as arises in the case of individual character, where a person possesses some talent superior to average ability. Surely in the present state of affairs, there is abundant reason that a national effort should be made to develop those special features of this country intended by Nature to benefit mankind at large. No other conclusion can be arrived at. (3) There are certain subjects which no doubt occupy more debatable ground than those already mentioned, though partaking of a national character. They are political problems which have been before the public for some years, and which no party, though attempts have been made in certain quarters, has as yet been able to solve. Such matters can only now be determined by an agreement between political parties that these problems should be solved in the only practical manner open to them. So far only general ideas, uot details, have been dealt with. It now remains to select one instance connected with each subject where a national policy could 'effectively be carried out, though others might be mentioned if space permitted. (1) As regards the export, sale and management of natural products sent to other countries. There should be an arrangement for an adequate supply of steamers, either owned by Government or companies, which would run not only to London, but to other British ports such as Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, Hull and Southampton. Next there should be an agent at each port in the

employ of New Zealand who should manage the unloading, storage and other matters connected with landing commodities. There should be stores and depots at all these ports for the exclusive sale of all products and ai'ticles exported from this country, such as wool, meat, butter, cheese, hemp, gum, fruit, wine, manufactured goods, and even cheap pictures of New Zealand executed in an attractive manner. These New Zealand stores should be advertised in the neighbourhood, and would soon obtain a reputation, if good faith were kept with the public, for selling a superior article. A moderate and treasonable price under such circumstances would ensure a handsome profit.

These central stoi'es or depots might serve as feeders for establishing smaller ones in inland towns wherever there was a chance of success. They might also sell cheap books and pamphlets, brightly written and well illustrated, dealing with the special features and advantages of the soil of the country. Besides, they could serve as bureaux of information for those who contemplated making New Zealand their future home. The steamers employed to carry freight might also have berths for thirty or forty passengers, and if owned by Government, might carry emigrants of good character at very reasonable rates. With such a plan, worked in an intelligent manner, a great increase in commerce might be reasonably expected between Great Britain and this country. There would be a constant stream of passengers and goods both ways, and the ultimate result would be a large addition to our population, so necessary for the further development of natural resourcen.

(2) As regards special advantages peculiar to this country which would develop and improve by a national movement, it is only necessary to refer to the present conditiou of Rotorua as a lamentable instance of neglect. What might not have been accomplished if a resolute attempt had been made to push the natural advantages of this spot to their

utmost limit ? Rotorua is unique. No thermal springs iv any country of tho world are equal to those of llotorua. Most countries of Europe possess medicinal springs effectivo in curing certain diseases, and in improving the general health of invalids. Thousands yearly] (look to these spas for the sake of health, pleasure, amusement and change. Among the crowd may be observed sovereigns, statesmen, princes and princesses, lords and ladies, fashionable beauties, millionaires, speculators and tho general public. Notwithstanding the illustrious assemblage that gathers at these European health resorts, there is not cue of them on the score of merit that can compare with Rotoma. It not only surpasses them in the healing power of its waters, but in the number and variety of its thermal springs grouped around ono centre. How many of that distinguished crowd that frequont the spas of Kuropo are ever seen at Rotorua ? And whoso negligence has caused this indifference to arise ? The Government and people of New Zealand. So careless has the Government been in this respect that it has refused to appoint a specialist to classify the various mineral springs of Rotorua. Scarcely any thing has been done to make the wonders of this spa known to tho world at largo. Little money has hitherto been spent in improving tho locality and its surroundings, and none on advertising and informing the outside world of its famous healing waters.

It is said the distance is too far to induce people from other countries to visit its springs; but persons will uot object to travel any distance when the object of their journey is the recovery of health beyond the reach of ordinary remedies. If Rotorua were made attractive, its different springs classified and advertised, proper buildings and arrangements provided for bathing, and sufficient amusement organised for idle hours, large numbers would flock from other lands to benefit by these springs. America, Australia, England, and in course of time other countries, would supply a

constant stream of visitors as the fame of *hese springs spread among the nations of the world.

(3) The instance in which a national policy might settle an important question, space will not permit to be handled at present. It comes under the head of political problems, and the example selected was that of the temperance question. Without examining this difficult problem, which on some future occasion might be treated, it is only necessary to remark here that the time has arrived when this agitation, so detrimental to the public good, should cease.

But the only safe method of dealing with this running sore is for the leading men of all parties to unite and take the matter in hand in order to effect a satisfactory settlement of it.

Such, then, is a brief sketch of the method in which national questions might be discussed and settled. Whatever may be its defects does not detract from the importance of the subject brought before the public. It will have served a laudable purpose if it promotes in any way a policy so essential for the further progress and welfare of the country.

This musical instrument, made of bamboo of different calibre, is one used by the

The shields and particularly awkwardlooking knives are of Indian workmanship.

natives of Melanesia. The length of the pipe gives the pitch of the note, and the result is very tuneful.

Mr. L. Bloomfield, who procured them in India, has them in his collection in Auckland.