The Evening Star MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1869.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2055, 6 December 1869, Page 2

The Evening Star MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1869.

The Gothenburg, with the English mail, arrived, as expected, this morning. We are thus placed in possession of our English advices at least one day sooner than if they had been dragged round by Wellington. The news, so far as striking intelligence is concerned, is unimportant. Mattels seem going on smoothly at Home. The returns show that, notwithstanding the reductions made in indirect taxation, the revenue is increasing, and the fair inference is that the people of Great Britain are rapidly recovering from the depression that produced such disastrous effects upon the world’s prosperity. This view is confirmed by the increased demand for raw material and the consequent advance in price. So far as New Zealand is concerned, this is the most important portion of the news. The low price of money at Home is causing capitalists to seek investments, and it appears that some have suffered through financing operations with the United States. It is a pity that we cannot have some of the confidence reposed in us in New Zealand, that seems so lavishly accorded to more speculative transactions with America. There is abundant room for enterprise here, that, properly conducted, would yield large profits without those risks that have to be encountered for much lower returns in American finance operations. We have no doubt that some of our politicians will be very irate, and perhaps frightened, at the determination of the British Government to withdraw the troops from New Zealand, We do not share in either of those emotions. It seems to us that we shall now be compelled to do, what ordinary prudence pointed out should have been done years ago, we must be careful not to allow our own settlers to place themselves in dangerous and exposed positions, excepting at their own risks, and to have at command a welltrained body of men, specially adapted for Colonial warfare, ready for immediate action. The money saved through not having to support a regiment of useless soldiers, will enable us to expend more on efficient preparation. We know that it is believed the presence of the Imperial troops is supposed to have a deterrent effect upon Native audacity. We can scarcely suppose that the quickwitted savages are so easily gulled. For two years they have only had the Colonial troops to deal with, and have found themselves overmatched. The soldiery have even been almost within hail, and have never drawn a trigger in Colonial defence. As we have been able to do without their help in our worst extremity, we can hardly imagine any futui’e necessity will arise in which the colonists will not find themselves fully equal to dealing with the most desperate force that can be brought against us. Luckily, the altered policy of the Government in Native matters will in probability render future collisions with the Natives rave and isolated. The prospects of the North Island are so much improved, and the Maoris are so likely to share in its advancing prosperity, that they will feel more interested in maintaining peace than in wasting life and substance in war. Propositions appear to be favorably entertained at Home respecting the Nelson railway project. Nothing definite seems to have been arranged, and it is far frem improbable that, like our own Otago scheme, it may fall through. There may, however, be this difference, Otago has within its boundaries those, who, for some motive or othei’, seem bent on defeating all railway enterprise ; while in Nelson the necessity for prosecuting it is so evident, that more unity of purpose prevails. The offer of laud in payment for the railway, in Nelson, seems to be the bait. If it is a grant of land on condition of a railway being made, to remain the property of a company, it is not the best possible arrangement. If land can be appropriated in payment for railway construction, it can also be reserved for the same purposes, and sold as the money is wanted. The railway would ±h;.is

become Provincial instead, of private property. We believe this will ultimately have to be done. Two purposes would be thus economically secured, the construction of a railway, and the settlement of the country. We trust the Nelson negotiations will not tail, and that their successful example may stimulate the people of Otago to more united and energetic effort to secure the advantages of railway communication. In foreign matters the world seems on the whole moving pi etty smoothly, and war is at a discount. This, the best possible news, affords at the same time the least scope for comment. It will be well for the world when every mail brings as little to write about.