THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1872.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1163, 20 April 1872, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1872.

The mission of Mr Yogel to Victoria has, if we can judge from the reportß of his progress contained in the local papers been eminently sucessful, and will in good time bear good fruit for New Zealand. Already we know that he has succeeded in conjunction with Mr Webb,, in obtaining a handsome subsidy from the Victorian Government in aid of the San Francisco service, and the terms on which this is given are such as not in the least degree to impair or affect its efficiency or value, aa far as this Colony is concerned. At the same time this country and Australia are connected by one more link to the mutual advantage of both. Up to the latest advices negotiations with the Sydney Government, with regard to the Postal Services, had not proved equally successful, but as Victoria has joined with New Zealand, it is hardly probable that New South Wales will long stand out. It lr,s been remarked that the arrangements made with the Duffy Administration must be sanctioned by Parliament before coming into operation, and hence that they may very likely drop through, but it i 3 in the highest degree improbable that unless some advantages, easily demonstrable, had been showu that the Victorian Government would have agreed to the terms they have. This being the case, it is not reasonable to Buppose that the Assembly will fail to see them too, and the matter may therefore be considered as concluded, and this Colony will be, as we have previously shown, relieved of a portion of the charges that would otherwise have been inevitable. That alone would have warranted the journey of Mr Yogel ; but that has been by no means its only fruits' The Colonies of New Zealand and Victoria have, as it were, by their Ministerial representatives, shaken hands, and paved the way for even more important negotiations that will some day or other] take place between them. We allude to a future Australasian federation which must at some day become a fact, and in which it is to be hoped New Zealand will form part. Whether this be constituted so that the connection with the p'areht country is maintained or not, time only will tell, but that a federal union is in the highest degree desirable there can be no doubt. In the meanwhile the Colonial Treasurer has mooted a subject of the greatest moment in relation to an intercolonial tariff whereby reciprocity between this Colony and Australia can be established, and the vexatious and excessive duties now levied ii the Australian group can be abolished. At a dinner, to which Mr Yogel was invited, he mooted the subject in a very appropriate manner, remarking that he hoped the time was not far distant when the wine of Australia would be easily obtainable by the people of New Zealand, and that those of Australia would be able, under equally favorable circumstances, to indulge in the ale of this Colony. Though possibly the Hon. the Premier may object in some measure to his colleague using such an illustration of the benefits derivable by colonists in the interchange of commodities, it was decidedly an apt one. At least, for a large portion of the year, ale cannot ba brewed in Victoria equal to that of this Cplony, and the same climatic influences that prohibit that manufacture are favorable to the development and growth of the vine and the consequent production of the juice of the grape. So it is in other respects. If a trade is fostered by mutual concessions, Australia can Bupply New Zealand with much that it needs, but cannot produce as well, whilst on the other hand, New Zealand can do as much for her more northern sister. Without doubt the visit in question will lead to some good in this direction being effected. It was at one time fashionable to decry the Public Works and Immigration scheme, of which the present Colonial Treasurer was the author, and hints were very openly made that it was calculated to send the Colony headlong to destruction, but, bo far, nothing of the kind has happened. The country is being opened up in all directions, land is being rapidly taken up and cultivated, and settlement is being speedily proceeded with. The statesmen of Victoria, and we use^the term statesmen advisedly, have recognised the intelligence and the boldness that shaped the financial scheme in question, and have united in doing honor to its originator. Everywhere Mr Yogel has gone he has been met with the highest respect, and a far-seeing and shrewd community like that of Victoria would not pay such honor to anyone unless it was

deserved. Altogether, we may congratulate the Colony on the results of the visit, and feel assured that it will prove most valuable to the interests of both Colonies' No doubt, on the General; Assembly j meeting, or perhaps before, the Colonial Treasurer will give other particulars in connection with the trip that will mor<; than, ever give evidence of its value. In the meanwhile, the reception accorded to him as the representative of New Zealand cannot fail to be gratifying to our fellowcolonists here as a whole, as well as flattering to him as, a Minister, and whatever the result of the present Ministerial policy be, when reviewed by the next General Assembly, there is no doubt that it is appreciated in Victoria, and has already beeu fruitful of good results to the Colony.