PROFITABLE EXERCISE.
Among the most pleasant as well as most profitable industries anywhere, I conclude from the notes, are dairying and fruit-growing, and Mr. Oseba thinks that in no country or climate on the upper crust of our planet are these industries more promising or more profitable, especially the former. The absence of cold winters, the purity of the atmosphere, the nutritiousness of the grasses, and the frequency of rain, all “work together for good” to those who attend to business.
I quote:—
“The relative area of land in Zelania specially suitable for this purpose is enormous, and as the fertility of the soil is improved instead of being impoverished by this industry, the possibilities of its development are incalculable.
“For a person with moderate means this seems the most tempting industry in this charming land. Mining, too, with its variety of products, the generous laws, the healthful climate, the abundance of water, is a most interesting and remunerative industry.
“The mining laws and regulations are as generous as the land laws, and in every undertaking of this nature the policy of the Government is, ‘arm energy with the implements of industry that wealth may come in response to the kindly invitation.’
“As the Zelanians were among the most commercial people of the globe, considering population, they entered into the spirit of railway building in early times with great enthusiasm. The railway mania began during the reign of provincialism, and each province commenced its little system without regard to the plans of the others.”
Here a map was thrown on the wall, showing different railway systems, with their different routes and purposes. Considering the nearness of the sea to every populous centre, and the accessibility of these points for steamers, the construction of costly railways evidenced a commendable spirit of enterprise.
Doubtless, provincial pride and a willingness to bid high for population in former times, that rents on fine estates might be raised, had much to do in stimulating this enterprise.
The railway lines were expensive, but they have proved a good investment. I conclude that at present Zelania has 2,325 miles of railway. The road-bed is good, the rolling-stock fair; travelling is about as comfortable as in other countries, and the average passenger fare is lower than in America. For the benefit of the joint owners—the people—all “profits” go to the general lowering of rates.
The wisdom of the Australasian colonies in constructing, managing, and owning the transportation lines cannot be too much admired, Mr. Oseba thinks, especially as it was “contrary to the world’s experience.”
The orator argued logically, and in detail, the wisdom of the public ownership of public utilities, claiming that, as transportation was of so vital an importance to all commercial people, unless the Government owned and operated the railways, the railways would, by some means, own and operate the Government.
“Hongi,” Maori Salutation.
He proceeded:—
“The railways in Zelania are a valuable asset. Their construction has doubled the value of the public lands, and, as at cheap rates they are yielding a good per cent. on the total cost, they are worth to-day the full amount of the investment.
“The railways are being extended and improved as rapidly as the demands require, and the finances justify; and with the post offices, telegraphs and telephones, they are under the watchful eye and control of a Cabinet Minister—at present Sir Joseph Ward—the early evidence of whose sagacity was shown in his having selected these antipodean regions as a country in which to endure life’s fitful dream.
“Sir Joseph is an ornament too, as well as a pillar in, the political and social structure of Zelania. He is affable, polished, ambitious and patriotic. He is brilliant in his business conceptions, and, possessing a pleasing personality and persuasive speech, he rarely fails in the execution of his well organised designs. While he has hardly passed the noon of life, he has long been the skilful lieutenant of the sturdy Seddon, and if the chief, at whose side he has so unfalteringly stood, should weary under the burden of public cares, it would seem most fitting that the mantle of leadership should fall upon the trained shoulders of this able and versatile statesman.
“Then the construction of all the railways, with all their et ceteras—the highways, bridges, and other public works—is also directed by a Cabinet Minister.
“Well, from all the ‘millions’ that have been spent under this tireless guardian in the promotion of these stupendous improvements, in a country, too, in which very many intelligent people would sit up ‘all hours’ to find something to criticise, there is probably not one person who could be persuaded that there was ever a sixpence coined in His Majesty’s Mint sufficiently nimble to find its way into the wrong pocket.
“This ‘Minister of Works’ works twice as many hours per day as any one of the thousands of men in his employ, and the thought of his being influenced by any consideration save that of the public good, could not be advanced to the debatable stage in any company in Zelania. These people trust their ‘servants,’ and rarely, indeed, is their trust betrayed. This is a Zelanian ‘trust.’
“Nearly all these great works are carried on under a co-operative policy, with a wage based on individual capacity to earn, the work being usually given to the ‘unemployed’ nearest the productive operations. It is claimed that this policy has been no more costly than the old contract system. It is of the people, for the people, by the people.
‘Who will not sing “God Save the King”
Shall hang as high’s the steeple.
But while we sing “God Save the King,”
We’ll ne’er forget the people.’”
Here, the notes record, the poetess Vauline suggested that the sage Oseba give the audience a little further information regarding Zelanian statesmen, their relation to the Motherland, and their hold upon the affections of the people.
In interesting detail, Mr. Oseba explained that while Zelania claimed allegiance to the British Crown, and that in defence of Britain’s honor she would pour out her blood and treasure with Spartan valor, she was so proudly free that should the same “loved mother” demand a penny per pound tax on her tea, the next rising sun would kiss a thousand emblems of a new-born republic. For the Motherland, Zelania would sacrifice all—save honor—but it must be as a partner, and not as a vassal.
“I have no desire,” said the orator, “to applaud the star performers of this great social drama, for such leaders are but the chosen instruments of the people, and as no other power had conspicuously succeeded in establishing justice among men, the people have the innings, and may—yea, must—be trusted.
“But the chosen are not sure to enjoy the ‘affections of all,’ for as long as a man is alive and in business,” Mr. Oseba concludes, “there will be marked differences of opinion regarding his mental and moral worth.”
Mr. Oseba “caught on” alright, for he soon discovered that among the Outeroos the real live man is always in somebody’s way; that the fellow who reached the persimmons, or “got there”—at the top of the poll—was bad, and that if such a one ever did a proper thing it was through inadvertence, or from unholy motives.
While a man “is quite alive” and wants something, we scoff at his ability, we laugh at his language, we question his motives, and we wound him with our poisoned shafts. But let him die once, and what a wondrous change! As long as he is in our way, as long as his quivering heart can feel, we cannonade him; then, when we have wrapped him in the habiliments of eternal silence, we feel subdued, we magnify his virtues, and—canonise him.
Among a free and educated people, on questions of domestic policy, there are always differences of opinion among men, and this is no imputation either on the intelligence or the patriotism of the disputants; but Mr. Oseba rather likes the man who gets there while the other fellow is holding his caucus.
From these opposing opinions arise party prejudices and factional strife, and earnestness should be reckoned a virtue, even should the reasoning finally prove faulty. Democracy, then, instead of raising men above the human, not infrequently reminds us how far men fall short of the divine.
But on this point Mr. Oseba closes thus:—
“While Zelania is a conspicuous jewel of the British Crown and very red on the map, and her government is of, for, and by the people, any praise of her statesmen is a compliment to the character and intelligence of the ‘ultimate power’—the people.”