1842 - Terry, Charles. New Zealand: its Advantages and Prospects as a British Colony - Part V. On the Future Prospects of the Colony - Chapter II

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CHAPTER II.

The rapid rise and progress, and consequent wealth of the Australian colonies, during the last fifty years, may lead to the supposition that New Zealand, more especially from its climate and soil being superior and more adapted for agriculture, will progress as rapidly to importance and wealth.

It is not intended to enter into a discussion of the comparative advantages and disadvantages between a penal and free colony. The following observations are made solely with a view to shew how different are the means and power in the first formation of the two colonies, and consequently how fallacious will be any deduction as to the future success and prosperity of New Zealand, without giving full and due consideration to the real circumstances in which it is now primarily and comparatively placed.

The natural resources, capabilities, and products of New South Wales, are not only totally different to New Zealand, but there is another most im-

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SHEEP AND WOOL.

portant fact to be remembered---the powerful and abundant means the former colony has possessed ever since its formation, in convict labour, to open and render productive and profitable the natural resources of the Colony. From the foundation of the settlement in Sydney in 1788 these means have increased in arithmetical progression, acting proportionately for the lasting benefit of the settlers.

In New South Wales, during the present century, there has arisen an export, which has multiplied ten thousand fold its wealth, and it is a staple of the Colony, produced in consequence of the facilities and continual supply of assigned gratuitous labour. The increase of stock, as well as of annual product of Wool from sheep farming, on vast plains and uplands, at no expense of rent or outlay of purchase, are too well known to be here recapitulated.

The Colonists in New Zealand can reckon on no such source for a staple commodity. Independent of the periodical rains at the change and full of the moon, rendering the land too wet for sheep, there are no uplands or downs, or plains adapted for such pastures. The country is either mountains and chains of hills, covered with timber,---or plains and table lands, covered with high fern and shrubs,---or else low alluvial marshy grounds. It is true that sheep could find food from the small indigenous grasses, and young shoots of fern, that continually are springing up on the comparatively level lands; but, the fleece would be daily torn from their backs, in obtaining their daily food, during their rambles

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CONVICT LABOUR.

in the bush. There are likewise many spots wherein artificial pastures, to a very great extent, in the low marshy grounds, on the banks of the rivers, can be created, which will be admirably calculated for the rearing, grazing, and fattening of stock; but, it is well known, that such rich pastures, while they render the carcase of a sheep fat, and valuable for the butcher, at the same time deteriorate and diminish the value of the fleece. In Saxony, sheep intended for slaughter are fed in different pastures, and kept quite separate from the flocks for wool. Moreover, the original cost, with subsequent expense of enclosing and laying down such lands in good pasturage, would quite prevent their appropriation to the feeding and rearing of sheep for the fleece.

In New South Wales, the flockmasters consider it indispensable for securing good and plentiful fleeces, that their run of pasturage should be equal to, from three to five acres, for each sheep; therefore, it may be easily conceived, how utterly impossible it will be, to create an export of wool, of any quantity or value, from a Colony in which there are no natural pastures adapted for such farming, and likewise in which the area is limited, and of which every acre has an owner, either European or Native.

But the still greater advantage to an infant Colony, has been the application of convict labour, in the towns of New South Wales, for the streets, public buildings, &c. at no expense to the settler. In like manner, excellent roads and substantial bridges, for great distances into the interior, affording communi-

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CONVICT LABOUR.

cation to the various districts, and giving access to those boundless pastures, on which is raised the staple export of the Colony, at little cost, and immense return to the settler. As the settlers have increased, and new districts have been required for their location, road gangs of these labourers are laid on in great numbers, whatever may be the distance. Mountains have been cut through,---ravines filled up,---bridges built over rivers,---roads cleared through the bush, and thus has been accomplished one of the most indispensable requisites, yet most instrumental means of success, to the exertions of inhabitants in any country or colony,---good roads communicating in every direction. This great measure of forming roads, bridges, &c. in New South Wales, has required no pecuniary advance for dear labour, on the part of Government, to be charged against the Colony at large. It is neither expense to the Government, nor,--- except the trifling tolls,---to the settlers. It is merely fulfilling the sentence passed by the mother country, at whose expense they are transported and maintained. From the increase of convicts, in latter years, if there had not been such sources for their labour they would perhaps have been employed in some less beneficial undertaking. In improving the Colony, by thus establishing such excellent roads, and communications throughout the country, was created indirectly some return to the mother country, for the expense incurred in transportation, for it induced much emigration, which consequently occasioned large sale of Crown lands, with great increase of Colonial revenue.

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ASSIGNED SERVANTS.

In the year 1836, the number of prisoners employed on road and chain gangs, in the construction of bridges, and formation of roads and streets, was (2173) above two thousand. These prisoners are only an annual expense to Government, for food, &c. of £10, each, or £20,000. per annum, half of which amount is only charged to the Colony. In New Zealand the same quantity of free labour would cost £180,000. per annum, at thirty-five shillings per week, each labourer, which is low wages in a new colony.

In the towns of New Zealand, streets must be formed, and roads, bridges, &c. are indispensable for access to the interior and agricultural districts; and it will require a very large advance to the Colony by Government, for that purpose only. If Government do not undertake them in the first instance and quickly,---Crown lands will be unsaleable, for no person will purchase inaccessible property, at any price. In all such undertakings, where labour is so exorbitantly dear, and in a country covered with bush, swamps, and woods, intersected by ravines and rivers, the expense cannot be previously calculated, or even limited; therefore, it will be perfectly impossible, for the early settlers, most of whom are of small capital, to bear such expense.

In addition to this great advantage of the formation of excellent roads, throughout the Colony, the settlers in New South Wales, have had another incalculable benefit in assigned labour. To every class and description of settlers, this must have been in

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ASSIGNED SERVANTS.

the early days of the Colony, most instrumental to their success; but more especially to the agriculturist and flockmaster, for it not only afforded them almost gratuitous labour, but it was that on which they could always depend in their operations; and they were not subject or liable to be deserted of all assistance at a moment's notice, and more frequently without any warning at all,---either from caprice, or from the temptation of higher wages, elsewhere, which is the daily practice and occurrence in every new colony where labour is scarce and free. In New South Wales, on the 31st December, 1836, the number of convicts, in private service, as assigned servants, was twenty thousand nine hundred and thirty six; on the 31st December, 1840, the number was twenty-one thousand eight hundred and fifty. Calculations have been made as to the amount of capital, which has been created in New South Wales by this saving, in the actual expenditure by the settlers, for labour, since the formation of the Colony; and it has been estimated to be above twenty-five millions sterling.

It may be imagined that, in New Zealand, the settlers will have the benefit of an equivalent, at least in a great degree, to the assigned labour of New South Wales, in the labour and assistance to be obtained from the native population, who are so numerous, and to be found in every part of the North Island. But observation and experience of the habits, manners and wants of the Natives will prevent any dependence on them, for the supply of

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NATIVE LABOUR IN NEW ZEALAND.

regular efficient labour. Like all savages, in climates where, by little labour of cultivation, they can obtain food, they are naturally indolent. When stimulated to any extraordinary labour, it is from sudden impulse, to gratify some desire to obtain some novelty of dress,---some trifle,---or some implement of husbandry, that has attracted their attention, in the possession of the Europeans.

Their absolute wants are very few, and although they are perfectly sensible of the advantages of civilized life, yet they prefer their own free unrestricted habits. The cultivation of their lands is their favourite employment, and it is only at the various periods of the seasons, when these do not require their time and attention in sowing, planting, clearing the ground from weeds, and gathering the crops, that they can be induced to perform any labour for the settlers. Novelty and change in their employment for the Pakeha, is another inducement with them, which, as soon as it becomes familiar, ceases to attract, although it may be easy and profitable. They are very sensible of their own interests and very acute in all their dealings, and all information that can affect them essentially, is soon communicated throughout the whole native population.

The increasing demand for the produce which they raise, of potatoes, kumeras and maize, as well as for their pigs, has taught them the advantage and profit of increased cultivation of their lands, beyond their own wants, for the winter season, and

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NATIVE LABOUR IN NEW ZEALAND.

therefore, it is far more consonant to their habits, to apply themselves to such extra labour than undertake the work, for many hours, of the Europeans. Labour on their part being at present not a necessity, they will only exercise it on their own terms, and the regular rate of daily wages, given now in Auckland to the natives, for landing timber, goods, &c, is one dollar of four shillings; and then they require, from their natural indolence, constant superintendence.

It must, likewise, be recollected that the Natives, have now a source of wealth, in the disposal of their surplus land to Government. This purchase money does not become the exclusive property of the chief, but is shared and distributed, according to their individual rights and portions in the land, among the whole tribe, and thus they are supplied with blankets, tobacco, clothing, and with any particular thing they may desire. They have become also fully acquainted with the power and value of money, and they generally stipulate that part of the purchase is to be paid in gold.

In the course of time, and in another generation, when they have more absolute wants, they may assimilate more to the constant industrious habits of the Europeans; but at present, it is perfectly Utopian, to imagine they can divest themselves, at once, of fixed natural habits, more especially, when it is considered that they actually possess and enjoy comforts, quite unknown to them, until the English Government, and such numbers of settlers, established themselves in New Zealand.

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AGRICULTURE IN NEW ZEALAND.

The present great wages of mechanics and labourers in the Colony, is almost a prohibition to all undertakings. As the land claims are adjudicated, there will be still further demand for labour; therefore, the difficulty and expense of all agricultural pursuits will be increased, and operate against any natural advantages, and unless an abundant supply of labour is sent direct from England, the rise and progress of the Colony will be retarded.

From the temperature of the climate, the fertility in some districts of the soil, and the still greater advantage, of the security of the crops against drought, New Zealand has been considered peculiarly adapted for Agriculture, and is anticipated to become, ere long, the granary of Australia. But farming operations on a large scale, with a view to repay the Agriculturists, by producing not only sufficient grain for the consumption of the settlers, within the Colony, but such super-abundance as to render Corn a staple export, cannot be attempted in the present state of the Colony, unless by a large outlay of capital, with certainty of no immediate return, and with a risk hereafter, not only of small profit, but of some loss.

The very nature and circumstance of the country, must render the progress of Agriculture in New Zealand, slow and gradual. The reasons are,---the scarcity and high price of European labour, for the farmers can reckon on no other;---the indispensable necessity, and consequent labour and expense of inclosing all cultivated areas;---and the further cost

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LABOUR AND EXPENSE OF CLEARING

of time and labour, in clearing the ground, whether of timber, or of fern.

In New Zealand, the lands most adapted for, and which will be the least expense to clear, as well as best repay for cultivation, are those on which the fern grows to a great height. It is on the richest soil, that this plant most luxuriates, and having, for ages, been incessantly vegetating, without molestation, in the same spots, the roots of the decayed plants, have, from time to time, become the soil for their own seeds, and, now, form a continuous, accumulated mass, combined with the original soil.

In preparing the ground for agricultural purposes, to extricate these roots, and thoroughly cleanse the soil from them, is a task more difficult, laborious, and expensive than may be imagined. The roots are of great length, very tough, interwoven, and matted together, to a depth of eighteen inches, and frequently more. A spade is quite useless; and a plough, if dragged through, it must be with more than ordinary power, and that does not accomplish the purpose. The only effectual mode is that of the Natives, which is this;---the tool or instrument is a strong, rather elastic pole, about eight feet long, pointed at one end, at about eighteen inches from which they make a step, on one side, by tying a crooked bend of a branch to it, with flax. Three natives are employed: they point their poles into the ground, about two feet from each other, but placing themselves in the form of a triangle; they then, simultaneously, jump on the step, and force

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LAND FOR CORN.

the pole to that distance into the earth, then throw all their weight, by holding with both hands, on the other end of the pole, and thus they tear up a mass of roots, which they leave on the ground until dried, and then burn them. This, operation is most laborious, and requires great personal agility and strength, from the closeness and tenacity of the roots.

After such preliminary clearing, the ground must be well ploughed, or trenched deep, with the spade, to remove the remaining roots and fibres. If the earth is not completely cleansed,---in a very short time, the whole surface will be covered with young sprouts of fern, similar to an asparagus bed.

The Natives very rarely take fern land into cultivation, on account of this great labour, and likewise, from the certainty of fresh fern again appearing quickly. They select generally for cultivation, some spot well sheltered from the prevailing winds, in a sloping ridge that it may drain well, on which certain trees are growing, which give them indication of the nature of the soil. The trees they burn off, leaving the trunks and principal branches of the largest trees, and then they plant their potatoes in the intervening spaces.

These difficulties being overcome, and the land in a proper productive state, the question then follows, whether the prices to be obtained, in the markets, open for export, will compensate the agriculturist. The home market, for a small population, will be amply supplied by limited cultivation.

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CORN AS AN EXPORT.

In New South Wales, which would be the principal, and in fact the only, market for New Zealand, the uncertainty of the seasons, and the danger of drought, prevent cultivation of lands for grain, to any extent; but, in favourable seasons, it produces sufficient for the consumption of its population, which is now about one hundred thousand.

It is true, that the prices of wheat and flour, fluctuate considerably in that Colony, more especially in anticipation and on the actual occurrence of a drought; but the droughts of New South Wales are more seriously felt in their effects, with respect to the supply of herbage and water for cattle and sheep, than they are as to the supply of corn and flour, for the food of the population. The very anticipation of a dearth of corn, immediately prompts the merchants at Sydney, to send to South America, about six weeks voyage, for wheat and flour; and then, as is generally the case in all articles of commerce, a glut follows a scarcity, and prices fluctuate proportionately, and with sudden and great variations.

A few large cargoes of an article, liable to damage and perishable, among, comparatively, a small population, affect prices immediately, more particularly as the grain from South America can be imported into New South Wales, at a very low rate, and is almost certain of yielding a profit to the importer at moderate prices.

Wheat and flour can be shipped on board, in the ports of South America in average crop seasons, the

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SMALL FARMS.

former at the rate of 25 to 28 shillings per English quarter of eight bushels, and the latter at 9 to 10 pounds per ton, which is in the ratio of 22 to 25 shillings per sack of 280 lbs.

In addition to the competition of South America in the Australian market, the New Zealand agriculturist will have to compete with Van Diemen's Land, in which colony large quantities of grain are now produced and increasing annually, and where the farmer has still the great advantage of a continual supply of convict labour.

However, notwithstanding these remarks as to large farms, the class of emigrants to which New Zealand at present offers the most certain advantages and success, are those who have been accustomed to husbandry. If such persons, having families, would be content with small farms of twenty to fifty acres, according to their means for outlay in stock, and buildings, and then, by their own personal industry and labour, cultivate the land, and rear cattle, poultry, &c, with moderate views and expectations, looking to frugality, perseverance and time, to acquire competence and independence, instead of resorting to land jobbing, and speculation for sudden wealth, they would be certain of success in their undertakings, and of realizing property in a very few years.

The Islands, if colonized principally by this class of small yeomen, such as in olden times abounded in Great Britain, before war prices,---high rents, and the system of farming on a very large scale

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SMALL FARMS.

exterminated them, would very soon produce sufficient food for the whole Colony;---for such farms would be far more productive and economically cultivated than large extents of land by expensive labour, and the former would be far more profitable to the proprietor than the latter. The face and localities of the country are suited for such partitions. Excepting the extensive fertile plains on the banks of the rivers Waikato, Waipa, Piako, and Thames, in the middle of the North Island, the principal spots of rich alluvial soil,---where artificial pastures for grazing, and the most prolific and profitable crops are to be produced---are, for the most part of limited extent, and situated in the valleys, on the banks of rivers, or in the small bays, which abound along the coasts. These comparatively small pieces of land are detached from each other by low ridges of hills, covered with wood, although there may be many surrounding the same bay, or on the banks of the same stream running into the country; very similar to the sheltered, verdant, peaceful glens in Scotland, in which is seen the small farm-house and homestead surrounded by a few acres of land, tilled by the industry of its inmates. They appear as if purposely intended by nature for pastoral abodes and pursuits; while the beauty of the scenery,---richness of the soil,---and the never failing supply of fresh water in the rivulets of the hills, indicate sufficient extent to occupy the attention, and satisfy the wants, as well as supply comforts, of any individual of contented mind, and moderate expectations.

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NEW ZEALAND THE SEAT OF MANUFACTURES.

Moreover, this class and description of emigrants would counteract the extravagant price of labour. If a settler occupies a small farm---and he and his sons cultivate the land, while his wife and daughters rear poultry, attend the dairy, &c. without any expense of other assistance---they are creating an active capital, and increasing property, not only for themselves, but for the Colony at large. Such settlers ought to receive the greatest encouragement, and as it is the agricultural districts of England which most require being relieved from surplus population, there can be little difficulty, if some pains were bestowed by the Emigration Commissioners, in finding out numbers of such characters, in the counties of England too thickly populated. They should possess some little means, in order to purchase a few head of stock for ploughing the land, and for breeding, and likewise to provide themselves with provisions for the first two years, before which period they could not expect any crops from the land; although, after a few months settlement, they would have abundance of poultry and vegetables.

If New Zealand, by the power and means of abundant and judicious emigration, becomes extensively cultivated, and plentifully stocked with cattle, so as to render the necessaries of life very cheap, and consequently diminish, proportionately, the price of wages, it will most probably become, ultimately, like England, the seat of most lucrative and extensive manufactures. In addition to moderate wages and cheap food, there would be the further impor-

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NEW ZEALAND THE SEAT OF MANUFACTURES.

tant auxiliaries of Coal, Timber and Clay, with, endless excellent localities, on rivers or shores, having water communication; the cheapest of all transit, and greatly to be considered, in establishing manufactories of any magnitude. Without these indispensable requisites, no manufactures can be attempted, with any chance of success, however plentiful and easily obtained may be the raw materials. Possessing these, New Zealand would then bring into profitable production, her timber for shipbuilding; flax for canvas, ropes, &c.; copper ore for sheathing her ships, and all other purposes; sulphur for brimstone, &c.; alum and dyewoods in manufacturing the wool of Australia or the cotton of India; tan for leather from the hides of her own cattle, or from Australia and South America; tobacco could be likewise manufactured; breweries and distilleries from barley and hops of native growth, &c. &c.

Therefore, seriously considering the actual resources and productions of the Colony,---the proximity and relative position of Great Britain to her Canadian Colonies and to European States, wherein labour is plentiful, and whose staple products are similar to the natural productions of New Zealand, viz. timber and flax---it is far more rational, to conceive that, instead of attempting fruitlessly to compete, in the exports of raw produce, the colonists, in the first instance, will endeavour to render themselves independent of any other Colony, English or Foreign, for the supply of food, by applying themselves to agricultural pursuits, and when food

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NEW ZEALAND THE SEAT OF MANUFACTURES.

and labour are cheap, they will direct their capital and energies to bring into play the other natural products, in manufactures, for their own wants, as well as to supply Australia, India and China, and Spanish America, all of which arc not far distant.