The Evening Star FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2124, 25 February 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1870.

The European news must be considered good. Its tone is that of peace and progress, and there are none of those rumors of war that produce such a paralysing effect upon human attains. Even in France, which for the last ninety years has been considered to hold the destinies for good or evil of the European world in her hands, chief attention is concentrated upon the means of securing a continuance of order and prosperity by establishing a constitutional succession to the throne.

Napoleon’s diplomatic skill does not appear to be less than hitherto. The hopeless confusion of parties to which the telegram refers, is one of the means which no doubt he has contrived and fostered in order that his own purposes may be established, and the succession of his son secured. The retirement of the Empress from political strife, tends to the same end, and the gradual relaxation of those restrictions upon public liberty that a revolutionary .spirit ren-dei-ocl imperative when they were imposed, seem to point to the conviction that the present generation in France are becoming more settled in their pursuits, and find their comforts and prosperity increased in proportion as the Empire continues at peace. The old idea of the glory of war is fast fading before the increasing intercourse of nations, and we shall not be surprised should nothing tend to interrupt repose, that a reduction of armaments so often mooted and so much to be desired will take place before many years are past. The world seems to be prepared for this. The vast areas of unpopulated lands in the interior of the large continents are becoming accessible to those who would be thrown upon their own resources by armies being disbanded ; the cost of passage to new lands is becoming less, and could the larger proportion of those now sustained for destructive purposes by the labor of others, become producers and consumers, an impetus would be given to human industry that would result in the general advancement of humanity. So far as the Home news affects New Zealand, there is little to note. A warning has been given to us respecting the effects of competition in the manufacture of flax, by the fall in its market value. This should be met by increased attention in the preparation of it. The great variety in the samples we have seen point to the necessity for perfecting the various processes. Wc must not stand still. Much information is necessaxy before all has been achieved that is possible, and there is every encouragement to investigation and effort, for it is evident New Zealand flax has established itself as an article of commerce and manufacture. But it is only so lately that even partial success has attended Colonial preparations of it, that there is reason to believe our processes may be so much improved as ultimately to give it the first place in the catalogue of textile materials. Flax, the Linum ndtassimus, was known in manufactures perhaps before the Flood ; Hemp, Cannabis saliva, is mentioned by Herodotus, who spoke of it wo thousand five hundi’ed years ago as gi’own and manufactured in Scythia; Jute, the Corchorus capsularis, though in many respects inferior to those mentioned, has come into great demand. All these have been known, used, and experimented upon, until little remains to be discovered respecting their nature and the best modes for their preparation. But the plbormium tenax has peculiarities not yet fully understood, and if with its disadvantages and in the infancy of its preparation it takes so high a stand, a fuller knowledge of its nature and improved methods of manufacture and sorting, will place it at least on a level with Manilla hemp, which always commands a higher price in the market than the best Russian hemp. Our Colonial brethren at Home still continue their amusement of discussing political relations between Great Britain and her Colonies. The wildness of their schemes proves how little is to be gained by it. The discussion will, however, have the advantage of keeping the Colonies before the British mind, and thus suggesting to those wearied with Home competition that fields for enterprise and success lie open to them in Australasia. It certainly is annoying to read of money advanced for the construction of Railways in Japan, while for three years our Clutha-Railway has remained without a sod being turned. We trust our Provincial Executive will atjonce place themselves in communication with those at Home who have projected investment in the Port Chalmers Railway, and fil low no fear of being over-reached in the bargain to prevent a transfer of their capital to the Clutha line, even if the contractors should contrive to make a few thousands by it.