370 TiMEHRI. 



maintenance of communication with the interior, may 

 safely be recommended to our administrators as the wisest 

 and soundest of policies to ensure future prosperity. 

 There is no need to assure the Government of the un- 

 bounded faith that the colonists have in them, nor to 

 prove their loyalty and the ready way in which all will 

 be found to respond to any beneficial legislation that the 

 Government may think fit to ena6l for the improvement 

 of the Gold Industry or any other Industry generally. 

 If proof be required, let those who can remember the 

 time, call to mind the vast impetus given to the Gold 

 Mining Industry in 1886-87, immediately after the 

 regulations for mining became law. Previous to the 

 passing of the regulations, few persons in town knew 

 that gold was even being obtained in any quantity in the 

 colony ; and still fewer were those who embarked capital 

 in prosecuting the search for the precious metal. Imme- 

 diately the Government took the matter in hand, specu- 

 lation became general, because everybody had the fullest 

 confidence that by their a6lion the Government meant 

 to prote6l and help the Industry ; and from all quarters 

 money came pouring in freely for expeditions into the 

 interior. The experience of the past in this is bound 

 to be repeated, and it may be said again that the wisest 

 of all policies now, is to assist the Industry and vigo- 

 rously push it forward with the immediate prospe6l of 

 generally increased prosperity to all in the colony. 



