The Evening Star SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1876.

Evening Star, Issue 4319, 30 December 1876, Page 2

The Evening Star SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1876.

The year 1876, so far as business is concerned, eloses to-day-. In many respects it has been remarkable : it has beoin a year of much suffering and of much difficulty. In Europe, the clouds'that have for many years been in the East have burst, and a war, marked by sanguinary barbarity, lias fehwtvn that Mahomoddanism is the same ruthless Creed that led Mo its savage victories twelve centuries ago. Eastern senSMity and extravagance have been fostered by Western greed and protected by Western arms British politics have led Christian Britain to sacrifice fijpney and treasure in supporting a system of governtriimt which enilavea the masses and degrades their rulers. Had British support, been withheld, the Turkish Empire would have ceased to t-xi t years ago, and ia all probability the work of regeneration would have be«m begun in those Fertile Provinces rendered barren by Mtis3ulman rapacity; while the millions of Britain's population would have been employed profitably in workiug for thriving arid jnciessmg nationalities. The tide has been dammed back, but it cannot be stayed. British capitalists have trusted where they ought to have refused to leiid> and th<?y have righteously lost The latest advices speak of new forms of Government in Turkey; of Constitutional forms ahd responsible Ministries. Because theseinstitutioiis suit Aiiglo-Safcon genilia, notwithstanding a century of experience to the contrary, it seems to be imagined that they are adapted to all nations. But they are good only where their use is known, are worthless where they are n'Ot- under f stood. Perhaps the present difficulty; may be tided over ; but even should this be the case, future of Turkey is fraught with trouwer Those who have been a;CUStpaaai to the tywß&'a xu]& or to rule a»

J.V'&nis, know nothing of moral obligation, lhe sword is their aoeptre of justice, and with the sword they rule or resist oppression. * c »

Unfortunately the effect of the mistaken 2? , y oi J he P ast i 3 not confined to the I-urkish Empire and the Turkish bondholders. It has borne heavily upon the inclustnal population of the world. The powerful nations, whose jealousies and fancied interests lead them to oppose each other instead of cultivating friendly relations, are scarcely docided whether to fight or merely to show a threatening front. The consequences to themselves and the world are that industry and commerce are paralysed ; their own people suffer, and perhaps through wide-spread discontent Governments maybe forced into wars that might otherwise have been avoided.

Had it not been for these complications in Europe the probability is that the American financial difficulty would have been got through, trade have resumed its ordinary channel, and wages and prices would have t>een at least satisfactory. But 1876 has been a year of struggle between employers and employed, and the high wages of the preceding three years have not been maintained. In many cases men employed in particular industries at Home have had to submit to considerable reductions, and even then have not been fully employed. Thus far, this Colony has suffered less tnan any other country from these causes, lhis is partly owing to the exceptional circumstances in which it has been placed, through having more work to do than there are people to do it. The losses it has sustained have been upon raw material exported, which has had to be sold in a depressed market. The mass of our population has been employed upon other work, and therefore has not materially suffered, ihere are, however, symptoms of slackness of demand for labor, and to some extent New must expect to share in the general depression. The evil will ultimately work its own cure. Because' of the risky character of foreign investments money is unemployed and abundant at Home. It is a sign of bad times there. Possibly the better investments in the Colonies may lead many capitalists to turn their eyes in this direction, where so many enterprises await the introduction of capital. Were New Zealand better known, there is little doubt such would be the case. m politics much has been done. The antagonism between the General and Provincial Governments is over, and Provincialism is no more. It remains now for the people to render the new institutions more potent for good than the worn-out system they have superseded. They have now the means of true local self-government in their own hands, and a little experience will teach the advantageous use of the new machinery. At present nothing need be said with regard to the County system. Many mistakes will be made, and many errors will have to be corrected before it can work smoothly. The task the General Government has in hand is Herculean and unthankful. It requires self-sacrifice and patient endurance on the part of the memb f M . im stry, who, in the true spirit of British intolerance, are treated by a political party as enemies rather than men devoting time energy, and health mJw general ""*-*** Zealand ewes much to men who have raised it from poverty to prosperity. As usual the designing, disappointed, and politically-oppofed enjoy the good and cart mud at those through whose efforts they have it. We know nothing in Constitutional history more vHS! cefu * th . a » the treatment Sir Julius Vogel and Sir Donald M'Leajt have receivedat the hands of and MW- n ' $r ,*f a discretion and influence the Public »rorks policy of Sir Julius Vogel was rendered possible. While the difficulties of the Colony arose originally out of wars, so its progress has been the fruit of peace. Had they mistaken their way, taking into consideration the traditions of politicians and the involved condition of New Zealand affairs when they took office, they would have been excusable ; but with clearness of perception and courage they saw the fallacy of, and abandoned the old system. They believed "That which you sow you will also reap." They therefore sowed peace and reaped the fruit of peace—prosperity. We regret the loss the Colony has sustained in the withdrawal from the Government of those two able men. Meantime, their maxim would be a wise one to remember, "That which you sow you shall also reap." Sow political dissension and the crop will be confusion. Spread broadcast a conviction that our political interest is common, and though mistakes may occur, the harvest will be a common effort for the common good. The old year and its difficulties have passed. We wish our friends and readers A Happy New Yeae.