The Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, JULY 17. 1872.

Evening Star, Issue 2936, 17 July 1872, Page 2

The Evening Star. WEDNESDAY, JULY 17. 1872.

If from the Governor's speech it was expected there would he gathered some indication of the direction which party politics may take during the session disappointment must necessarily he felt. It lias evidently been framed and worded so ns to avoid rousing party spirit. Passing by the allusion to the recovery of the Prince of Wales as one of those expressions of loyalty and attachment to the Throne that could not be omitted, the first portion of the speech alludes in general terms to the effect of measures already in operation, and must be satisfactory to all classes. The Natives are represented as tranquil and friendly disposed. Even in those parts where disaffection prevailed for so many years there is peace and a disposition to live at peace. Whatever may be the faults and failings of the M inistry, they have achieved a triumph here, and the chief glory is that is has been gained by moral means. Witlings may describe it as a “ sugar and blanket" policy, by which theymtend to insinuate that peace has been unworthily purchased at the expense of honor. Such flippancy might do to raise a laugh, but ought never to pass for an argument condemnatory of a policy based upon the highest and noblest attributes of our nature. The difference between a war of extermination and a policy of conservatism represents the difference between brute force and reason. Peace would have been secured by extermination of the Maoris —a peace of desolation marked by the blood of a murdered race, while the smoke from the ruins of Native dwellings would have risen up to Heaven and called for retribution upon who might have seemed peace by administering justice, but preferred the sword. In the policy of the present Ministry there has been firmness without cowardice ; justice tempered with mercy ; and consciousness of strength without provocation. The labor of the Maoris lias been utilised in the formation of roads in the North Island, and thus they are gradually being led into the practice of industry that will tend to the formation of habits, identifying their interests with tlioso of the European Colonists. The remaining portion of the speech referring to our leading industries points to their steady development and prosperous condition. Wc need not comment upon the allusions to the railway contracts. There will be plenty heard about them in the course of the session. One fact men tioned should not, however, bo past over without remark ; the system of Life Assurance and Annuities on Colonial security is working well. It seems to us that its benefits might he almost indefinitely extended, and that in all probability they will be, when statistics are gathered together pointing out how by the expansion of the principle of co-operation poverty may be almost set at defiance.

The measures foreshadowed arc not so numerous as they are important. Some of them are difficult to deal with. For instance, the consolidation of the laws on gold mining, though advisable, will hardly bo accomplished to the satisfaction of miners in the different provinces, whose systems have been adapted to the peculiarity of their circumstances. With regard to the reduction or abolition of the postage on newspapers within the Colony, it is almost a necessary measure. Much lias been said and written on this subject. Some have considered the postage a tax ui)on knowledge. We do not go so far as that: but it operates equally

detrimentally to the spread of information as if it were a direct tax upon knowledge. There can he no doubt that a postage tax ou newspapers tends to break up society into little local knots of politicians having no general principle, and feeling no interest in anything outside the area of their immediate circle. A similar proposition has been made in the Parliament of New South Wales. Mr Stewart moved a series of resolutions allinning the desirability ol abolishing the postal charge on newspapers, and the motion was received with favor by the Government. Tho Sydney Mad, commenting upon, the debate, says truly—“ It is admitted that the postage is not a tax —that it is only a fair charge for services rendered —and that it would destroy the political value of the liberty of the Press to have it subsidised by the State. Put the question is, whether the State would gain by the increased circulation of newspapers more than it would lose in postages, seeing that, though not servants of the State, newspapers do indirectly immensely facilitate the business of Government?” We are glad to see the proposition to give power to municipalities for the construction of railroads or tramways. It is a necessary complement to the railway system. Without it half its good effect would be lost. The other measures mentioned have been already before Parliament. The Bankruptcy law and the extension of tho franchise are knotty subjects, and will induce no end of talk. These measures, added to private Pills, mark out plenty of work for a three months’ session.