THE COLONIES. [A Probable Paragraph from the Queen's Speech in 1850.]

New Zealander, Volume 5, Issue 417, 13 April 1850, Page 3

THE COLONIES. [A Probable Paragraph from the Queen's Speech in 1850.]

In alluding to the Colonies, Her Majesty cannot clut admit that they arc in a state far from conducive either to Her own satisfaction, or the well being of the empire ; but still their condition is such ft* to promise amendment on the application of suitable measures. In Canada there have been di«turdances, in which Pier Majesty's representative endeavoured to preserve a dignified neutrality ; but to do that he was compelled to leave the scene of conflict in the capita) ot the province, for a temporary retirement int.o rural privacy : the movement, however, winch was then initiated, to transfer that part of Her Majesty's dominion 1 to the neighbouring Republic, has not yet attained succe's. In the West Indie*, the pressure of dmtresi uncle i the varying; and still uncompleted experiments of the Im* perial Legislature has occasioned the tnaaifettatloui of a permanent discontent; but the disaffection has not yet asinmed a decidedly rebellious form, nor one which might not be neutralized by wise policy and friendly demeanour on the part of the Imperial Government, personated l>y Governors eminent for high qualities and not indentified with past disiemioni. At the Cape of Good Hope, the somewhat rebellious exhibition of feel-, ing excited by the .measure for making the South Aftican settlements a recept ible for couvicts has been soothed by the judicious and ample concession of the Governor to the demands of an unanimous community, although those demands wore totally at variance with, the instructions transmitted to His Excellency by her Majeity'c Secretary of State for the Colonies ; the dangers of open rebellion, therefore, alike disastrous to the colony and embarrassing to the Imperial Gov« ernment have, been averted. The strong feeling expressed in Australia against tho admission of convict* will probably yield to the intelligence that; the measure is revoked and the mistnke of sending convicts, on the plan lately announced, to the district of More ton Bay, which is a part of New South Wales, wilt be rectified. The abandonment, however, of tho last, and tha failure of every proceeding scheme of dealing with this great national evil, will render it necessary for Parliament to aid in revising the system of secondary punithneiti with a view to the disposal of convicted prisoners, The withdrawal of the Australian Constitution (No. 2) Bill will have relieved the anxiety created in the Australian Colonies by both versions of that measure ; and it some natural distrust his beeu occasioned by the rapeated changes of this bill without any declared causo, the promulgation of truly lideral inttitutiont' coupled with the choice of Govenors respected and popular, and plans fo r enabling the Imperial Government to avail itself of assiitance in this councils from the accredited representatives of the dependencies will impart an unprecedented degree of content to tbat vatt section of the empire .—Spectator'

Isthmus of Panama.— From various sourcei w« glean the following facli respecting tbe isthmus, which ii destined to be the gateway of nations. Notwithstanding the fertility of the soil, literally nothing baa been done in agriculture, and that for the belt of re»toni; the crops hare nut been enough in demand to pay for th« railing of them. Cotton grows spontaneously, and that of an excellent kind. Alligators and lizards are common, but snakes have not been •ten by the emigranti. Annoyance from i meets haa not beeu so great ai it ii in the United States in tho warm season. The climate is uncommonly healthy. One traveller says, " It it more necessary to w^ar arms in New York than here." In the city of Panama state prisoners are daily marched about the streets, chained together two and two, and employed in labour. The Spaniards, Indians, Negroes, and men of mixed blood The fort is dilapidated, and incapable of any efficient service. The more intelligent people desire a better government, and are ljuking to the United States for it. If the policy of our nation were like that of the old Ron: an Republic , to nmwx itself to all creation, and destroy itself by the menus, here would be tho place to make our oegiimui,; m South America.— New Englnnd Puriian. The Chamber or Commerce, New York, — ha§decided in favour of Whitneys scheme for a Railroad to tho Pacific, and have expresily)recommended it to the attention of Congress. Whitneys is the northern route, and is considered the only feasible one by which Asiatic commerce can reach America. It start* from Wiiconsin.

Thb Gkrman Prince.— Hi6 Highneis Prince Fred* crick of Holitein, (who it travelling as Lieutenant Gronwald) attended by Captain Stanley Carr, had an audience yesterday morning of his Excellency Sir Henry Young. The Prince'a mother it first-cousin to her Majesty. The diitinguiihed vuitors afterwards ▼iaited the Exchange, and expressed much admiration of that building; the Post Office did not quite so much, imprest them with the idea of architectural beauty. The Prince U 19 years of Bge, «nd of amiable manners, and we trust will pass tome agreeable days in tlm colony. His intention is to pay a asperate visit, accompanied by Captain Carr, to all the Australian colonie*. He will remain a fortnight.— South Australian Register. The Journal dcs Dibats describes an important discovery which occupies the attention of the French scientific world. It is a mechanical leech, invented by M. Alexander, a civil engineer already celebrated for his useful discoveries. AH the scientific bodies, after satisfactory trials, have caused this leech to be adopted in all the hospitals ; having proved not only the immense economy of its use, but, what is better, the decided advantage whioh it has over the natural leech, often so scarce, always repugnant to the pilient, and sometimes dangerous. The Pre»ident of the French Republic has given orders for the supply of the apparatus in every commune where it may be found serviceable to indigent patients. Letters of 3 promising nature have just come to hand from some of the Ragged School children who have been sent to the colonies since the new movement began. The males for the most part are doing well — have got employment, and are in a fair way of establishing themselves creditably in their new sphere of life. The removal of these youths co«t the country £5 each : at this trifling expense they have been rescued Irom poverty, neglect, and crime, in their native land, and placed in a position where they may become useful members of •aoiety, and the pioneers of a new civilisation in thestates 10 whioh they have been removed. — Al/ienanm, It is understood that the Government have stopped the issue of the new shilling pieces, in consequence of the itrong popular feeling manifested at the absence on it of the recognition of the supreme sovereignty of Goi\ in the letters " D.G.,F.J>." hitherto imprinted on out whole coinage ; tht coin it to bo r«-i*iued with the let* ten added.