The Evening Star FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2225, 24 June 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 1870.

Bcuaffcer-AIL the talk and discussion that took place, some months ago about a Federation of the Colonies for mutual benefit, itew Zealand is not going to be represented at the coming Conference. Tie idea of a Colonial Federation differs materially from a Customs Union—that is, the latter does not necessarily form pail of such a scheme. Hnion, comprising Colonies requiring different amounts of revenue according to thejr several necessities, presents difficulties which at any rate

present jealousies render insuperable. Not ones of the Australian group is so far advanced in economic science as to cast off the absurdities of restriction, and the iniquity of collecting revenue by duties on consumption of imported articles. The colonists can see nothing in advance of the clumsy systems that have grown up in Europe, look with jealous eye "upon each other s advancement in prosperity, as if it was so much taken from their own. There cannot be anything more absurd. Never was there a group of nations more advantageously arranged for mutual benefit. Within a few days’ sail of each other, are Colonies enjoying every variety of climate and soil neces sary to diversity of production. What one cannot grow another can supply. If the products of a temperate clime are desired by our burnt-up neighbors, New Zealand is at hand to supply them. If the luxuries of semi-tropical regions or of the tropics are required to add to the plenty of our Colony, New South Wales or Queensland is within easy Sail. The misfortune is that there is some little trade in distribution of European imports done, and each Colony is jealous that any ether should reap the profit. When we mention prominently New South Wales or Queensland, we point to them as types of Australia, for what applies to them is more or less true of the whole of that vast continent. It seems to us that it would be impossible to place markets for our produce more advantageously, And so far as we know, New Zealand possesses precisely those minerals that are calculated at no distant date to give it a similar important position in the South, that Great Britain holds in the North. With a climate eminently favorable to health and continuity of labor, the country abounds in coal and minerals. Time is required to open up these profitably. A demand must spring up for what New Zealand can supply before these mineral advantages can be fully developed. We are now scratching the surface of the country —preparing the way for those who will some day unfold its capabilities. It is not too much to anticipate the establishment of vast iron works, and of factories of various fabrics dependent upon a supply of cheap fuel and material. But this is not secured by having poor neighbors the richer and more prosperous they are the better. The advance of Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia in material wealth, instead of being a drawback to our prosperity, tends to foster it. Nations "row rich or poor’ together. If the history of the past presents an apparent exception to the rule, an examination of the facts tends to dispel the illusion. Ancient Rome by force of arms gathered the riches of other countries j but the harvest was only continued by rendering them more prosperous. If she laid them under tribute, she. gave them security, improved their institutions, opened up their territories, and gave a market for their produce. Great Britain apparently grew rich by conquest. Her fleets covered the sea, and swept those of other .nations from it. She seized l their Colonies and dependencies, and attached them to herself, and so restricted them in their commerce that all the foreign trade they had passed at enormous expense, through Britain herself. Her policy then was to monopolise the world’s trade, and, like many other foolish folk, she thought to grow rich by impoverishing her neighbors. Bike all monopolies, for a while it seemed to answer. But though unseen in their modus operandi, social laws are not less rigorous and exacting than physical. Lightning flies no; more surely from the clouds ;to the earth, or vtee versa, in accordance with its unknown cause, than does a social law unerringly produce its good or evil effect. Monoply in the end ruins the mass of those it is intended to serve. Had Great Britain’s restrictive system been continued, instead of being the first, she would have been pne of the poorest off nations. It was carried top far.for her present well-being, and!what remains to be remoVed, the money monopoly, is the worst foatiiie of the system, and is the main cause of popular distress and commercial disaster. If is for the Colonies to avoid the errors whipb prevailed in ages gone past. A federation of the Colonies for free, interchange of their various products would confer mutual benefit and afford mutual help. A demand would spring up amongst themselves that would give an impetus to their development, which would rapidly enrich them, and diffuse comforts and luxuries abundantly and cheaply amongst all classes. It would be an instalment of that happy arrangement which must one day be, when even selfishness sees that through unfettered trade alone, can the greatest individual and universal advantage be realised. We feel sorxy that any petty feeling should have prevented New Zealand being represented at the Conference, especially if through that absence any impediment should arise to the proposed federation,

Parliamentary Papers.— We beg to acknowledge the receipt of parliamentary papers and of the Ila/isao'd by. the larauaki. Mayor’s, Oourt. There was no business of impoitance transacted at the Mayor’s Court to-day. New Lighthouse. - -Weave informed by a telegram. received ’to-day, that on and after July 4th the light on the Nuggott Point will be permanently lighted, The Gazette.—lt is notified in the Gazette that the Otago Waste Lands Act 1866, Amendment Act 1869, and tbe Otago .Settlements Act 1860, have been laid before the Queen, and that her Majesty has not been advised to exercise her powers of disallowance with respect to them. Princess Theatre. We see by advertisement that Miss Rose Evans appears on Monday. We trust she will meet with tho success sho deserves, and if so, she will have a crammed house. All the English and colonial papers speak most highly of her talent both as an actress and a vocalist. Dr CJarr’s Lectures. —There was a fair attendance at the Princess Theatre last evening when Dr Carr repeated his experiments. The doctor seems to have so completely mastered his subject as to drive the spiritualists from the field. At any rate they have not opposed his theories. Perhaps to-night they may feel disposed to renew tho ( , contest. North Dunedin.—A meeting of the Committee of tho North Dunedin Mutual Improvement Association was held last evening ; Mr James Copeland, Vice-President of the Association, in the chair. The accounts of the last entertainment were balanced and and found satisfactory. It was also pecided that the next entertainment take place on Friday, the 15th July. The meeting separated after a vote of thanks to the chairman. The Mayoralty.—The contest- this year for the civic chair is, to all appearances to be even more keen than it was last year. There arc now four declared candidates, Mr H. S. Fish, jniir,, being the latest, and we are informed that a requisition to_Mr George Duncan has been numerously signed, and that that gentleman will in all probability allow himself to be placed in nominations. The citizens have ample choice of able and tried men. It is not a question of civic politics, but of personal preference, and on so narrow a ground the press must be silent. Meat Preserving. The advices received in Melbourne from London, regarding colonial produce are indeed of the most satisfactory character, for, in addition to the improvement reported in wool, we are further apprised that tho private advices to hand as to our preserved meats are in the highest degree favorable. The agents of the Melbourne Meat Preserving Company state that a market in London can be got for any quantity of tliejr tinned meats, and the ship-, ments sent forward can he sold much faster than they arrive. It Lm likewise been pointed out to ns that the Madras Government, when advertising for tenders of preserved meats, specially stipulate for Australian tinned mutton. The contract advertised amounted to 20,729 tins, various sizes. Waste Lands. —From ouv Wellington files we learn that, on the day the sessionl of tho General Assembly was opened, the Hon, J. Hall gave notice that he intended to move that a select committee be appointed to consider all bills and petitions that may be introduced into the House affecting waste lands of the Crown, and to report generally upon the provisions and principles which they may contain, with power to confer or to sit together with any similar committee which may be appointed by tbe Legislative Council, and to agree to a joint report. What is a Nephew I —The Court of Common Pleas has given judgment as to what constitutes a nephew. The question arose out of an action of ejectment involving the title to real property which had been left by a testator tp “his nephew, Joseph Grant. ” There were two Joseph Grants — the testator’s own nephew, and his wife’s, and the question was, whether the Tatter could adduce parole evidence as to his being the nephew meant. The Court declared that '‘ nephew ” had no.legal definite signification, and might be applied ip its wider and popular his wife’s’ sister’s son. The' real meaning, therefore, is to be obtained by parole eyi deuce. Parliament. —On the 21st, inst. Mr Haughton gave notice of severalj resolution referring to tho representation of the Colony —amongst other points lie wished to know whether the Maori Re presentation Act was to be repealed. On the following day, Mr Fox, in replying to Mr J. C. Wilson, .said the Government did not propose doing away with members’ honorarium ; but if any member tabled a resolution on the subject, the Government would offer no objection to,' its discussion, and would comply with whatever decision the House came to. A Bill to make provision for the attendance of witnesses for defence in criminal prosecutions i has been brought in by Mr Travers, and was read a first time, Kjpp.Grapes.—At the meeting of tho RoyM Horticultural Society of Otago tonight it is intended to exhibit a sample .of grapes, grown and ripened in tho open air. This has hitherto been concluded nearly an impossibility in the climate of Otago, But Mr p. S. Mackenzie, gardener, King street, a member of the Society, has succeeded, and last Sunday pulled two branches, quite ripe, amhnot deficient in sweetness. They are of thcjkind known as the Black Prince, and although not large, they are well formed. Wo arc Rot aware of any combination of circumstances that has led to this success. No doubt the weather on the whole has been inihj, and tho vino was trained on a wall, Beyond this, no extraordinary pains were taken. We are not aware of any previous experiment of the sort having been so thoroughly successful. Native Intelligence.—We believe that the chief Te Wheoro arrived in Auckland yesterday from a visit to Tokangamutu, whether he had proceeded on diplomatic business connected with the Native department. From what Te Wheoro says, it would appear that the isolation which has so long been maintained by the King party is fast breaking up, and that they are more disposed than ever to permanent peace. Te Wheoro thinks that this result may be attributed to the 'recent correspondence between them and the Hon. D, M‘Lean, and that, if the course that Mr M‘Lean has adopted bo continued fora’ little time longer, the most friendly relations will be established between ourselves and tho King party. We are glad to find that, notwithstanding the sneers that havp been directed against the native policy of the

present Government, it is bearjmg good fruit in every quarter of the island,-—Since the above was written,- we have obtainedsssome few further particulars ofTe Wheoro’s visit. While at Tokangamutu he had a conference with the King, Manuhiri, and the leading chiefs, who expressed friendly sentiments towards the Government, and a strong desire that nothing should be done to cause further hostilities. To Kooti was also referred to. and the King remarked that, so long as Te Kooti remained quiet, well and; good, but if ever Te Kooti rose up again to light they would put him down by force,— Southern Cross. Pathetic, Very.— The following is from the Wanganui Chronicle of a recent date :—There must be something in the atmosphere of Wanganui which quickens people’s blood and stirs their hearts to enthusiasm. At all events, whether this be the case or not, an illustration of enthusiasm, quite refreshing in its way, was evinced yesterday afternoon on the occasion of the departure of Madame Caraudini and her two charming daughters. In truth the Caraudini family have experienced quite a triumph in Wanganui. Not only have their performances been largely attended, but the attractions of the young ladies seem to have smitten a host of admirers, who for the last week have buzzed about tbe fair divinities like moths round a candle. a3sj» mo ail d tide,” “wait for no ma* and so the came when the good steamship Wanganui was to bear off the sVrens from the gaze of their admirers. As the steamer was about to leave, a considerable crowd had assembled on tho wharf, amongst whom wore of course numbered the special devotees of tho departing songstresses, r By-and-by, the young ladies, accompanied by Madame Carandini, came on board, and p eparations were made for tho steamer, to get off. Then indeed the scene became affecting to the last degree. Toe young ladies were besieged by their admirers, and submitted to a course of valedictory speeches and handshaking. which must have been trying alike to their hearts and hands. One portly gentleman, who is as a raging lion, in wig and gown, was affected almost to tears ; another young scion of the bar, after bidding goodbye to Miss Fannie, buried his face in his handkerchief, “paddled his own canoe ashore, and sought consolation in a “big drink while a military swell of tho “La-de-da” species gloomily expressed > an intention of going out to catch To Kooti forthwith single handed. There was a painful period of suspense before the steamer got fully into the stream, so some of the aforesaid “ smitten swains” took boat, boarded the steam r r, and had another “ last and fond farewell” with tbe their adoration. As the Wanganui steamed away we saw those gentle- . men land. They were lugubrious of countenance, and heaved lip sighs like a furnace. We left them waving handkerchiefs, uttering mournful ejaculations, and, as wa sped up on the quay, the refrain of a solemn chant, to the effect that “She is gone from my gaze like a beautiful dream,” was wafted to our ears.-