The Evening Star. FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1872.

Evening Star, Issue 2872, 3 May 1872, Page 2

The Evening Star. FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1872.

We are somewhat curious to know what the detractors of Mr Vogel will, have to say to the arrangements he has succeeded in making with the Victorian Government, with regard to the San Francisco Mail Service. They have for a month or more had it all their own way. They have pumped Mr Webb and been “ sold,” to use a famifamihar word. They have been persuading people they knew all about the agreement; that Mr Vogel had had to eat humble pie, and that he had been compelled to sacrifice the interests of little New Zealand to great Victoria. We had good reason to believe that Mr Webb had not disclosed the terms concluded. It was not likely that any gentleman would make public that which immediately interested himself, and ■which, he, as one of the contracting parties, had agreed not to disclose until a specified period had elapsed. It is too much to expect those who have so persistently opposed everything done by the Colonial Treasurer to express approval of his arrangements ; but we venture to say that the public will look upon them as much more satisfactory than could have been anticipated. Instead of New Zealand having to pay the largest share of the subsidy, Victoria has undertaken it, on conditions that place this Colony and Province at no disadvantage. Instead of Auckland being the New Zealand terminus, Port Chalmers retains its present privileges. The affair has evidently been managed with a view to the mutual benefit of the contracting Colonies, and, we should imagine, will meet with the approval of all classes in each. It is evident that the Government of Victoria fully realises the great benefit that will be derived from regular intercourse with the United States and the commerce of the Pacific. In former arrangements other Colonies have endeavoured to reap all direct and indirect benefits from the Mail service. In the one-sided bargain with Mr Hall, the Government of New South Wales made it a condition that Sydney should bc]the terminus. New Zealand thus became a calling station on the route, and we have had it told over and over again that -an insignificant Colony like this could not expect to take any other than a secondary position in any joint arrangements with such important countries as New South Wales and Victoria. Our contemporary the Daily Times to wit, was so impressed with a sense of our inferiority as to advocate our being content with a branch mail steamer from Lcvuka as a condition of our receiving assistance from Victoria. The statesmen of that Colony have formed a truer estimate. They, as well as all other countries, look upon Now Zealand as one of the most important of British Colonies: as a land of almost boundless mineral wealth, requiring only prudent enterprise to develop it. They view it as a land likely one day to rival Great Britain herself in manufacturing industry and skill. And this is a true estimate. It depends much upon ourselves whether our resources shall be developed a few years earlier or later. Fortunately for the Colony, some few clear-headed far-seeing men have had the lead for the last three years ; men who have thrown overboard many of the old world notions of the functions of governments, and who have dared to mark out a course, which, if not marred by faction, will result in increased and increasing prosperity. Perhaps it is beneficial that we have a few timid, illinformed dawdlers amongst us. They have their use. They pen silly articles, like that which ornaments the leading position in our contemporary’s columns this morning, and act in other respects as drags to prevent us going too fast. Even their blundering uoliojia about

public duties and private enterprise tend to bring out the truth through th6ir very absurdities. Just so with the predictions of this class of journals regarding the Victorian arrangements for the San Francisco Service. So utterly have they been at sea in their self-confident assertions, that men will henceforth put no faith in them. They have cried “ Wolf” so often, that it is to be feared, even should they utter a well-timed Avarning, men will give no heed to it. We scarcely think there will be any opposition to the proposed arrangement either in New Zealand or Victoria.