CHAPTER XXVIII. FUTURE PROSPECTS OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Ir does not require any prophetic inspiration to form a very probable estimate of the future prospects of South Australia; at least, from any individual who has not a monetary interest in its development. The conductors of the press, in their disinterestedness, may still indulge in the dream of the germe of a mighty empire-the usurer systematically cry up a locality, where his per-centages are so respectable-the land-jobber naturally extol a place where he can screw a few extra pounds out of the hard-working; but the reflecting man on the spot, who has no such potent reasons to bias his judgment, will certainly arrive at far different conclusions from the classes I have mentioned. The principles on which the colony was founded were to serve a class interest. In the early days, everything was done to forword the interest of speculators, in the way of advertising; paid panegyrics; high moral views; and universal philanthropy. Such a virtuous commercial Utopia had never been heard of before; and many rushed off in haste, to enjoy perfect freedom, and found the reality in the shape of 20 per cent. for loans, endless litigation, extraordinary corruption, and universal bankruptcy. Six years after its formation, the model colony underwent the interesting process of being whitewashed; and if the British government had not come forward, and supported their poor transported relation, and liberally bestowed other peo ple's money for the shipwrecked colony, South Australia would probably have gently collapsed for a few years. After twenty-four years of a chequered career, what is the present position of the colony? Are the 127,000 inhabitants in temporal prosperity ? Do they feel a pride in their adopted home? Let their own statistics reply; let the statistics of crime, of commercial morality, destitution, and disease reply! A small community, with 3,364 cases tried by the magistrates, and 141 inquests held in one year. A virtuous antipathy by a colonial population to pay their small debts is significantly shown by the fact that seven thousand two hundred and thirty-one cases were heard and determined in one year on the civil side of the local courts, for claims for money not exceeding £30, in a population, of whom less than 30,000 are adult males, according to the government statistics. The political condition of South Australia is an anomaly. A so-called upper class, possessing money, but without dignity, and only partial education; a lower class, without money, with less education, with the privileges of universal suffrage and vote by ballot. A limited middle class, many of whom eschew politics in disgust, as the cliqueism and greed of one class has been too notorious, and the ignorance and political incapacity of the other only too apparent. The political apathy of many is shown by the fact, that at the last election in South Australia for the Upper House, only 2,223 out of 13,000 electors on the roll exercised the suffrage. It is not impossible that in a few years there will be paid Members of Parliament in South Australia, for that is the object of many patriots in the colony. It must be added, in extenuation of the motives of these gentlemen, that many are very moderate in their demands and quite willing to devote their services to the country for the consideration of £200 per annum, and some even less, with a proviso that part must be paid in advance. This is known to be necessary, as one patriot had got previously elected on the principle, that he should be paid for his services, if his constituants thought his views liberal enough; but as no money was paid in advance, the poor member, owing to the state of his credit in the colony at the time, had obliged to be introduced at the bar of the house in his usual garments, viz., corduroy trousers, a coat in the last stage of what is commonly termed "Seediness," and a vest originally of many colours, which, through the process of age, seemed all to have run into one. If the people are only temperate in their actions, and combine to break the land monopoly, and compel the land to be sold at its real value, it may produce partial prosperity to the deserving classes, and lessen the gains of those whose aim it has been simply to accumulate profits without considering the well-being of the community at large. At the present time the Squatters are becoming richer, and each year it becomes more difficult for a small capitalist to do any thing in the sheep or cattle line of business. The capitalists and landowners gains are increasing, owing to the abundance of labourers, who are compelled to cultivate their lands, and thereby give it a market value. Mining pursuits are extending, but these may enrich a few ; but owing to the precarious nature of the speculation, the people in general will be little benefitted. The hopes of the agriculturists are daily becoming worse, for their customers are diminishing, and the population of the province is not increasing. Sup posing South Australia can raise a large surplus beyond the wants of its own scanty population, where will a market be found to dispose of it at a profit ? The only profitable customers South Australia has had, have been the colonists of Victoria, who were obliged to import considerably, owing to the engrossing gold pursuits of that colony, which caused agriculture to be partially neglected. The cultivation of the land in Victoria is now progressing to such an extent, that it is probable, in a year or two, the colony will require no produce from South Australia. I have only to add, that South Australia does not possess one deep or completely navigable river in the entire extent of 300,000 square miles; and perhaps there is not another country in the world, of such extent in the temperate zone, in the same infelicitous predicament. A geologist of reputation was formerly engaged to endeavour to find traces of gold in the colony, but his report gave no hopes that South Australia will be distinguished for gold discoveries. In conclusion, I have merely to state, that I hope this small volume will afford amusement as well as practical information; and as the writer has only the cause of truth to forward, and is the partisan of no particular colony, he can conscientiously and disinterestedly give his impressions of a country, which, after mature deliberation, and after travelling through many lands, he would individually, choose last of all, as a permanent home. CHAPTER XXIX. SOUTH AUSTRALIAN LYRIC POETRY. THE following is the original Song of Australia, for which a prize of £10 10s. was awarded :— THE SONG OF AUSTRALIA. THERE is a land where summer skies Australia. There is a land where honey flows, There is a land where treasures shine Australia. |