The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 1872.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 97, 23 April 1872, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 1872.

The colonists of Australia are not usually noted for delay or want of energy in carrying out any of their undertakings, but with regard to so important a work as opening up telegraphic communication with England, and, indeed with the rest of the world, a singular indifference is displayed by them. It is now five months since the wire was laid between Java and Port Darwin j the Australian end having been landed on the 20th November last, and still the settled portion of the continent is almost as far as ever from being connected with the rest of the civilised world. It is true that the overland party are gradually pushing their way into the interior, but it is likely to be a long time before communication will be established by this route, and the wonder is that the colonies of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia have not yet deemed it advisable to unite in running steamers at regular intervals between Port Darwin and the nearest telegraph station,

which, we believe, ia Norraanton in j Queensland, from whence the live of telegraph la complete throughout Australia and to Tasmania. The distance that would have to be accomplished by sea is some 800 miles, but this, in these days of progress, seem irifliog when compared with the advantages that would arise from Melbourne and the other principal Australian towns being placed within a few hours of London. It is probable that this may yet be done, as the Argus has taken the matter in hand and is urging it on the Victorian Government. In a recent issue it 6fated that " the reputation of the Australian colonies for energy and promptitude of action must be seriously compromised in the eyes of our countrymen at homo by the fact (hat we are still unable to connect ourselves with the telegraph system of the rest of the worla," and pointed out that "from Falmouth to the shores of Australia there iw an unbroken line of communication upwards of j 11,000 miles in length, and about 2000 miles of telegraph in operation from Adelaide and Hobartown to NormantOD, so that there is only an iusignificant space to bridge between the terminus of the Queensland lines and the cable end." Should the Victorian Government, either by itself or in concert with the other Australian colonies, see fit to undertake this service pendiog the completion of the overland line, we in New Zealaud may expect bhortly to receive by the Australian steamers that arrive weekly on our coast the news of what was taking place in England ten days previously. ! j I i