New Zealand Mail. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. SATURDAY, MAY 20, 1871. THE WEEK.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 17, 20 May 1871, Page 11

New Zealand Mail. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. SATURDAY, MAY 20, 1871. THE WEEK.

The “ News of the World” contains reports of some capital speeches made by the Germans of California when celebrating peace. The Prussians of the present day are not only the foremost nation, but they are the foremost minds in the human family. The Germans originated the Protestant Reformation, and from them will probably spring the new civilisation ; a thing quite distinct from though necessarily arising out of the civilisation of the past. We observe one of the German orators stated that if England conjointly with America had said to the French “ Halt,” no war would have taken place. But supposing the order had been obeyed, and the halt had taken place, it would have been a halt and nothing more. Thiers complained that the French Emperor had abandoned all traditional policy in not siding with Austria against Prussia; showing what he would have done had he been in power at that time. The fight has secured the unity of Germany, and the war would have taken place sooner or later while that remained in abeyance. The feelmgs } desires, and objects of the two nations make that fact evident. That delay would have proved beneficial, even to France, is extremely doubtful. The halt would have been only temporary, if England had given the order, and that order at the time had been obeyed ; but if not obeyed what would have been the position of England ? Let that position be as it might; the position she assumed has been much more favorable to humanity. By taking all possible care that the contest should be fought out by the two opponents single handed she has done what in her lay to prevent a general war. When two game cocks, two school boys, or two nations are too equally matched tlioy always fight until they find out which is master. Contrary therefore to ihe prevailing opinion, we arrive at the conclusion that the French nation when it has had time to cool down, if its Celtic blood will admit of that process, will be less disposed to renew the war with Prussia than it would have been had other nations interfered to prevent it from being overwhelmed. It is very doubtful if France would have been so eager for the war if she knew she would have had to contend against a consolidated instead of a disunited Germany. Thanks to the division of landed property in France, her traditional love of glory is now tempered, as in 1815, with a stronger desire to enjoy la tranquillite ; and in the face of a united Germany her ruler, when she has accepted one, will feel disposed to gratify her wishes.

The Nelson Provincial Council is now in session, and in view of the early meeting of our own its proceedings possess something more than mere local interest. The Council has resolved to repeal the so-called responsible Government Act, because it removed from the Superintendent that executive responsibility which was attached to him by the Constitution Act, because it needlessly increased the departmental expenditure, and because the Council was too small for the efficient working of the machinery of Responsible Government. It has appointed a select committee-to enquire into and report upon the expenditure of the General Government grant to district road boards. It has resolved that it is undesirable to attach a salary to the office of Chairman of Committees ; and a resolution has been proposed affirming the desirability for retrenchment in the departmental expenditure, in order that a greater share of the revenue may be devoted to the carrying out of important public works, that would be the means of opening up the country and developing its resources. We submic that matters of this kind are as interesting to the people of this province as to those of Nelson. The Council also unanimously passed a resolution to the effect that it is highly desirable that the line of railway frojm Cobden to the Brunner coal mine should be constructed without delay; a similar motion was carried, on a division, in favor of tho construction of a railway from Nelson to Fox Hill; and a committee has been appointed to enquire into and report upon the best means of developing the Mount Roehfort coalfield

whether by a private company or aid from the General Government.

We gather from the evidence of Dr Hector, given before the Colonial Industries Committee, that the coal deposits in the Grey valley are exceedingly rich, no less than 95 per cent of the whole coal being combustible. Upon this important subject we intend to have a sub-leader in our next issue, for it will strengthen the hands of our Agent-General, and tend to promote the best interests of the colony, if information relative to its great natural resources is published. We learn from a debate in the Provincial Council of Nelson, on a motion relative to a construction of a railway to this mine, that'notwithstanding present difficulties, the mine was at present yielding over 1000 tons a month. - If the railway wero constructed as much as 4000 tons a month, or 48,000 tons a year could be despatched. This, at a profit of 3s per ton, would yield £7200. Deduct from this £IOOO for ventilating the mine, rolling stock, &c, there would be a profit of say £6200. The carriage of coal on the line would be, for 48,000 tons, £6000; the back traffic would be at least £SOO, and the passenger traffic, £250, making £6750 for this branch. From this then fell to be deducted £2OOO for railway stuff, and £750 for up-keep of the line, and £I2OO for interest, together, £3950, showing a profit on the railway of £2BOO, and on the coal of £6200, making a clear probable profit from the two concerns of £9OOO.

The woollen manufacture will eventually become a large and important industry in this colony. This industry is also in course of development in Victoria. The Woollen and Cloth Company’s factory at Goelong is nowin full working order. The sale of tweeds for the last fortnight of last month amounted to 4749 yards, with a daily increasing demand. We can bear testimony to the fact that Geelong tweed is twice as warm and three times more durable than that usually imported from England.