THE Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1869.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1955, 11 August 1869, Page 2

THE Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1869.

The blundering postal and telegraphic arrangements of the late Ministry continue to annoy us. Day before yester'day it 'was announced that the Raugitoto had reached Hokitika; but on account of the state of the bar, she could not communicate with the shore. Instead, therefore, of the European news being telegraphed through the islands, which would have been the case had the mall come by the Bluff, the steamer had to go on to Wellington, and the Colony had to wait twenty-four hours longer. Then arose a new difficulty for the South Island—the wires were down. When that damage Was repaired, the most circuitous, instead of the most direct route was adopted for transmitting the news : so that, instead of the merchants of Dunedin being placed in possession of the information in the course of the afternoon, the first telegrams were delivered shortly after five o’clock. As if in mockery, they were transmitted so slowly, that, although every credit is due to the telegraphic department of Dunedin for their exertions, only about half the message was completed when the last Evening Star was issued, notwithstanding the publication was delayed purposely to give as much news as possible. It is high time that these clumsy arrangements were superseded by something more business-like. The Chamber of Commerce have now a better chance of making themselves heard than they Jiad when the Stafford Ministry was in office, and a little timely and welldirected pressure cannot fail to bring about a beneficial change. So far as the news is concerned, there is little to comment upon. The plan for the dis-

establishment of the Irish Church has been received vrith greater favor in the House of Lords than could have been anticipated, judging by the treatment that Liberal measures usually encounter there. No doubt Fenianisra, and the uneasy state of Ireland have much to do with it. Alterations, however, appear to have been made that may not meet the approval of the Lower House, when the Bill is sent back to them, although there is no likelihood of such serious differences occurring as to postpone its passing. The difficulties with the United States, if not altogether got rid of, are at least tided over. Their settlement will probably be postponed to a future day, when the remembrance of the war has almost passed away, and when the United States have settled down once more into habits of active industry. No sane man could imagine that the two Governments would allow themselves willingly to drift into a war, with such enormous interests at stake as would have been destroyed by it. Unfortunately, it too often happens that Governments are powerless to prevent it; but in this instance, as in many other disputes with the United States, delay, instead of proving dangerous, is the only prudent course. Years may pass away before the matter is finally arranged, but no serious apprehension need be entertained concerning it; there may be a little American bluster now and then about it, but common sense and common honesty will eventually bring about a settlement. What concerns us more immediately is the treatment New Zealand is likely to have at Home. The English papers do us the compliment of thinking we are able to thrash the Maoris without English help, and cannot see what claim we have upon them. Perhaps we must blame ourselves for this, in too readily proclaiming ourselves content with the self-reliant policy of Mr Weld. Some little allowance must be made, too, for the writers in the English papers, on the ground that they have never been South of the line, and gather impressions of New Zealand and its affairs from very imperfect sources. The news of the change of government had not reached them when the mail left, and it will be some time before the proposals of the present administration can be laid before the country. It is just probable therefore that what has convinced General Chute of tiro necessity for the IHth Regiment being retained here, may not be without like effect on the British Government and public. It will be seen that so high a military authority, whose opportunity of knowing the difficulties of the Colony is the result of experience, feels the case to be sufficiently urgent to justify him in countermanding the instructions given for the embarkation of the troops, and this cannot fail to add weight to the representations of the present Ministry. It is at all times very annoying that we cannot lead people to entertain so good and correct an opinion of us as we deserve, but it is always the case when the idea prevails that the Colony wants protection at the expense of the British taxpayer, the opportunity for a little sensational condemnation by the Press of colonial grasping is not to be allowed to slip. Judging by the state of the money market at Home, matters should be improving. Unfortunately, the wool market does not recover. The large supplies from different parts of the world tend to keep the price down, and will do so until new markets are opened for tho produce of British looms. This must be the work of time and peace. If the latter be maintained, which at present there seems no reason to doubt, prices will ultimately but Slowly rise.