The Evening Star THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1871.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2568, 11 May 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1871.

Without a gun being fired as a wel come or even the slightest public demonstration, the first ship of the new line of Mail steamers, connecting Australia with Europe, dropped her anchor in the roadstead at Port Chalmers. There were many from Dunedin who felt sufficiently curious to go on board, and they wandered about the spacious decks and peeped into the various cabins without let or hindrance, the officers meanwhile pursuing their usual avocations. We do not put much faith in noisy demonstrations. When popular they are very often meaningless, and “ more honored in the breach than the observance.” But this inauguration of direct communication between this port and San Francisco is not to be undervalued. It is the beginning of a traffic that, developed, is fraught with important consequences ; and much depends upon the spirit with which it is pursued whether its results shall be reaped early or deferred for years. There has been far too great opposition to this postal arrangement. Usually, it is supposed that even a man’s politics arc tinctured by his interest. It is not invariably the case, however; and Otago has shewn that both people and a portion of its Press can thwart the progress of the Province in order to attain a political object. Had not Mr. Vogel been animated by a sincere desire to serve Otago, the treatment he endured would have almost excused his leaving us out of the question in his arrangements ; and in no respect has he shewn himself so superior to his detractors, as in the fact that in spite of virulent foul-mouthed opposition, in spite of mercenary and personal motives being attributed to him, he persevered in his endeavor to serve us, knowing well that those who wished to crush him must benefit equally with his friends. Even yet our contemporary, the Daily Times , is not content. He must have his grumble. Compelled to acknowledge that his prophecies are false and his opposition unavailing; that the Clutha Kailway, which was only a sham according to him, has proved a reality; that the arrival of the Nevada, that was never to take place, has taken place; that the London monied interest, that was to treat New Zealand with contempt, has treated it with honor; he is reduced to doubts and fears—the last corner of the wet blanket that he threw so recklessly on those plans. Yesterday, in that very half-and-half acknowledgment that Mr Vogel’s contract was an excellent one, insinuations and contingencies were dwelt upon. “ The public ” wished to know “ whether the service promises “ to be a permanent one " —“ whether “ the neighboring Colonies will relieve « us by contributing to the heavy sub- “ sidies we shall have to pay,” and sundry other hints about branch services to Fiji, and so on. If it depended upon the efforts of the Daily Times whether or not success should attend the service, there need be no hesitation in predicting its fate. We have been absolutely disgusted in looking over the files of Colonial papers, and occasionally of some from Home, in which are articles condemnatory of New Zealand’s statesmen and its Civil Service, as well as of its financial position, founded upon the misrepresentations of that

journal. We clepi-ecate falsehood in .my form, and would not have a picture drawn of the character and resources of our Colony that would exaggerate its richness or capabilities. The imagination of readers usually maguiics both advantages and drawbacks unduly. We have abundant proof of rhat in the faith put outside the Colony in the libels published on it in the Daily Times. If then it is needful to be cautious not to mislead in regard to the wealth of the place, much more is it necessary to be cautious in writing ■oncoming its drawbacks. Making itself the judge in its own cause, the statements of the Times in regard to the Telegram libel case are doing immense injury. Knowing well the unsubstantial foundation on which the charges rested, one word of honest* acknowledgment of error would have spared the Colony the consequences of the distrust engendered in other communities regarding the honor of our ; u’llic men. But not so. Perish the Colony rather than acknowledge an '•rror is apparently the rule of conduct of that paper. The misfortune is, that when the characters of Ministries are issailed. so undeservedly, ditlicultios are thrown in the way of negociations that would tend to extend the benefits of plans like the San Francisco Wail Service, that would increase the profits, render it permanent, and lessen the expense.