The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, DEC. 31, 1881.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6504, 31 December 1881, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, DEC. 31, 1881.

The world la* likely to remember 1881 rather hotter than some ol tho pro* ceding years. Tho British Empire will know it by the memory of the ebook which public opinion every where received from the announcement of the defeats in tbo Transvaal. Tho death of a General in tho field, and the hurling of troops from an impregnable mountain position by a guerilla enemy of actually inferior numbers, who lost but one man in tho assault, created a most painful impression far and wide. But if the defeats of the Majuba Hill and Langsnek arc destined to live in memory, the conduct of tho British Government after them is likely to be also remembered, but with very different feelings. There is not a nobler deed on the pages ol history than tho con* cession by Ur Gladstone’s Government of justice to, the Transvaal after tho victories of tho Boers. Human nature is so constituted that it is bat seldom that even a great nation sees that it can afford to be just. Mr Gladstone saw it, and by acting upon his magnanimous opinion made the British public see it also, in spite of the host of writings and speeches by which his policy was assailed. The grace of this action would be very much improved if tho imprisonment of Oetewayo, whom Mr Gladstone hast always declared to be the victim of injustice, were put an end to. If Cetewsyo is to be kept in prison because it is right he should be there, Mr Gladstone ought to say so, justifying at the same time his change of opinion. The only alternative is to set trim at liberty. To keep him shut up without any explanation at all is not a course worthy of a great country. But oven the greatest statesmen exhibit inooaststettoies of conduct. Tho year will bo farther remembered as the year which saw tho successful abandonment of the Tory policy in Afghanistan, as far aa Afghanistan itself is concerned ; and, on the other hand, as the year which saw the abandonment of Merv on the advance of the Russians from tho Caspian. The British Govern* meet avoided one ot two evils. It set up a ruler in Afghanistan, who proving strong enough to maintain bis rule, has kept anarchy out of the country. But, if latest accounts bo correct, the retreat of tho British troops through the southern passes of Afghanistan has been followed by the advance of Russian troops towards tbo northern frontier. The year will ho over memorable as the year of tho Irish Land Bill, tho greatest measure that a great statesman has ever put forth, and pushed through in the grandest manner, in the face of huge odds. The beginning in Ireland of a phase of agitation bordering on re* bellion and Oommnnism marks the era of the Land Bill, which, in England, will be looked back upon as tho beginning of a revolution in public feeling with regard to land. A revival of trade marks the year in tome degree; the beginning of tho discussion of the new principle of fair trade gives it importance in commercial history { and politically it is signalised by the moat remarkable disclosures ot systematic bribery and corruption, mike disgraceful to election candidates and electors. That these have been followed by heavy punishment marks the year aa one in which justice still Uvea and moves with vigour. Europe and America will associate tho year with the .hideous memory of regicide. Tbo Sovereigns of tbo freest and of the most despotic of the States ol the world, States at the opposite poles of freedom, both met their deaths at the bonds of the assassin. Tho effect in Russia has been to make tho ruled more oonserva* live, to tho deepening of tho combat between order and anarchy. It la certainly tbo most extraordinary struggle the world has over beheld—two birds of prey, despotism and com* monism, fighting for tho tyranny over a great nation. In tbo United States the assassination of tho President was without polities! significance and was followed by no political oonso* quenoea—a fact which alone would be sufficient to make tho year memorable in the annals of the great Republic. Germany hss seen the power and pres* tigs ol the man of blood and iron desit a severe blow from the effects ol which it is now reeling—iu spite of Conservative efforts. Conservative money, and Conservative good management. Gam* betta, in Fiance, has realised that if bo wishes to conserve hit popularity he must step off the pedestal of Irrespon* eiblo autocracy mid take his place among working statesmen. Tho world will remember tho France of 1881 by the scare it got by the Tunisian policy, and by the easy manner in which it re* covered its equanimity. Italy will probably bo tbo only exception, which may In after time be able to point to the Vienna celebrations of 168! as the beginning of a mighty alliance destined to achieve great things. Turkey will remember the year as having witnessed Uio gradual slowing of the progress ol

the Boriin Treaty. Bh« will Urn* !l ti»« ions of Mouteoegritt ui Qrcok totirl* tofjf j ohookto at tbo UMOtt in wbioh arrsDgcßjeßtf for faying off tbo Baa•)ao war indemnity hare boon indefinitely postponed } wonder whether the Faehae fuoiehed lor tbo murder ol Abdol Ar,ia were really guilty j deplore tbo lom of Mobomodan prwtigo in Northern Africa; and bo lw»t In aaton* isbment that the Ottoman Empire baa contrived to got through another year of life, financial and political, la Austria, Uio year will bo remembered «« aignalised by the great disaster In the Ring Theatre. If there la in Austria anything else memorable, aa probably there » in connection with Eastern politics, it is written in the secret archives, which this generation is not destined to see. The nations will know 1881 as tho year which saw the Panama Canal happily begun, and which witnessed tho vigorous assertion of the United States claim to have, practically, the solo control over that highway of commerce. South America will probably remember 1881 by tho extinction of tho Peruvian Republic, Tbo children of Israel will look back upon it a» tho year of the grow perse* cation ol their brethren in Germany, and their grower persecution in Russia. If they are wise, they will remember that they have to some extent brought these things—for which, of course, there can bo no excuse —open them* selves.

New Zealand will be proud of 1881 as the year in which a general census placed iseir first among Oolonlss in the measured rate of progress; a position she was admitted by universal acclamation to occupy. The year is. however, marred by a return to the old barbarism of a Native difficulty, for which modem enlightenment had substituted energetic policies of progress. Unhappily, instead of subduing the wilderness, we have gone back to subduing the Maori. There Is this difference, that formerly the Maori easily took fire so as to require subduing; whereas nowadays he will not take fire at all. But he is subdued nevertheless. Mr Bryce and his white horse will effectually prevent 1881 from ever bring forgotten. The pair will for all time be a memorable sign of irresponsible autocracy, despotic spoliation, and bigoted obstinacy, most unworthy of a high elsas people. As the last year of the Parliament that gave ns the Liberal measures, 1881 will be in some degree noteworthy; also, as the year which gave us the Represents* torn Act, and saw how well a determined Speaker of a Colonial House of Repre* sentatives contrived to give a lesson to the whole world in the suppression of Parliamentary obstruction. The dullest election on record, it is worth remembering, took place in 1881. Financially, the year is marked by ibe introduction of foreign capital, and the exodus of domestic labour—a contrast which would be incomprehensible were any other Government in office but that of the Hon John HalL Socially, the great Tarmroa disaster gives the year a terrible memory. Canterbury will associate 1881 with the death of Canterbury's greatest colonist, William Seftos Moorhouae; with the preparations for the first great International Exhibition of New Zealand; with the obtaining of justice of representation in place of the partial disfranchisement of years; and with a steady rate of progress, Indus, trialiy, commercially, and socially. Such is the year which ends to-night Iu some respects we all hope that Its successor will be much better. In none should we like to see it worse.