The Evening Star TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1871.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2501, 21 February 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1871.

So absorbing has been the Superintenllental election, that we have hardly had time to give attention to other matters, however interesting. From the North Island wc have a few sounds of alarm; but beyond the unfortunate Inurder of Mr Todd, and the firing between some sportsmen and some Natives, there has been nothing very serious. We believe we are quite justified in saying that the measures of the present Government tend to secure general and lasting peace—barring, of course, the occasional outbreaks that must inevitably occur amongst a number of savages : for such, to all intents and purposes, the mass of the North -Island Maoris undoubtedly are. We must not forget, in considering this question, that the number of Maoris is rapidly decreasing—from what causes we cannot say. It was a grand experiment of Great Britain to try to preserve the race, although it seems questionable whether even more than a remnant will remain in thirty years. The Colonial population, on the other hand, is rapidly increasing annually, so that each year points to greater security through the difference in their relative numbers. If only Native prejudices could be -so far overcome as to

lead them freely to aid in developing the railway system, it would be of immense advantage to themselves and the Colony. Amongst the economic mistakes so prevalent amongst us, is the fear of the North Island having its railways constructed at our expense. Far less would be said about this if men would only learn to distinguish between loans for reproductive purposes and loans for warlike expenditure. A loan for a railway, unless to be through a country without population, with a soil incurably barren and containing no minerals, entails no tax upon a community, but tends to relieve them from taxation. If the land be as fertile as are vast areas in the North Island, a railway gives value to it, because it brings the most distant points to within easy access to a market. Equality of value is thus given to immense tracts that might have otherwise been barren and waste for centuries, just as was the case with laud in the interior of England until the adoption of the railway system. The traffic on the railway will, in all probability, yield sufficient income to pay interest for the money; while the increased area of country available for settlement, through inducing a number of people to come who would never otherwise have thought of making New Zealand their home, increases the revenue, and renders reduction of taxation possible. We cannot help thinking that it is never considered that if the Maoris could be employed in constructing railways, it would be a vast deal better both for themselves and us than fighting with them. Had the amount of money wasted in Maori wars boon spent on railways in the North island, the Maoris would better have acquired habits of industry, and have been brought more immediately in contact with civilisation than by any other means. Instead of being a drag, the North Island would have paid its own expenses, and more than have equalled the Middle Island in revenue and prosperity. There can be no question that by employing Maoris, lines of railway can be constructed cheaper in the North than in our Middle Island : the only difficulty to be got over is the barbarian pride which can see glory in destroying men, but none in subduing the earth. Nor need we grumble at the cheapness. If a line of railway suitable for North Island requirements can be made for .£3,000 or £iX)OO a mile, there is loss chance of its not paying interest for the money than if its cost was double. It may' be a question Avhether avo might not deem it advisable to tempt a feAv of our darkskinned aborigines in the South. We are inclined to think, on the maxim of divide et Impem, something might profitably be done in that way, with great advantage to ourselves and the Maoris.