New Zealand Mail. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1872. THE WEEK.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 51, 13 January 1872, Page 11

New Zealand Mail. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1872. THE WEEK.

The news received from England by way of the United States is seldom reliable. The great object of English correspondents to New York newspapers is to make the intelligence they forward as sensational as possible. It is probably owing to this canse that the opinion is obtaining currency that republicanism is rapidly gaining strength in the mother country, and that a revolution i 9 imminent. JBut, in

truth, there has always been a strong republican party in England, and their views now obtain more publicity and prominence by means of the telegraph and press than they did formerly; but this is not any evidence that they are more generally embraced. Free discussion, too. is permitted now to a much greater extent than formerly, and hence publicity is given to opinions which, though held by men in private, were not so publicly expressed and advocated as they are at present. And as for a revolution being imminent, that has been predicted by fanatics and alarmists from time to time ever since “ the glorious revolution of 1688.” It may not be generally known that an unstamped newspaper was published in London thirty-five years ago, having for its title “ The Gauntlet: a sound Eepublican London Weekly Newspaper;” the editor of which was at the time a prisoner in Newgate. There were at least a score more unstamped papers published at the same time, and advocating similar views, which enjoyed a large circulation in the manufacturing dis' tricts. The repeal of the newspaper stamp duty was a death blow to these publications; and we fail to gather that the views they advocated are more widely embraced now than they were then. It is not because republican views are more prevalent, but because they are more prominent than formerly, that has caused the impression to which we have been referring. The reported alliance between certain members of the aristocracy and leaders of the working classes is not so novel and incredible an occurrence as it has been ignorantly represented. It was by such an alliance Mr Walter, of the “ Times,” and Mr Fergus O’Connor, were returned members for Nottingham. It was by a similar alliance that the Melbourne Administration was kicked out of office, and Sir Robert Peel’s Ministry substituted in its stead. By such an alliance the Factory Act was passed; and by similar means it was sought to prevent the repeal of the Corn Laws. We have no doubt of the tacit existence of the reported alliance; not, as has been absurdly stated, to carry out the views of the internationalists, but to carry the Tories on to the Treasury benches. If ever a violent revolution wa3 imminent in England it was when the first Reform Bill was rejected. Since that was passed all political changes, earnestly and generally demanded, can be constitutionally carried, so that an appeal to physical force is obviated. As for a republic in England that virtually exists already; and if the House of Commons chose to declare the Throne vacant to-morrow, there is no power existing to prevent it from carrying its declaration into effect. When we recommended iu our last issue that Mr Fox and Mr Stafford should unite together for once, for the purpose of reforming and

purifying those pastimes which had descended to us from our forefathers, we were not aware that the former gentleman, in spite of the " great indignation" felt at his conduct, had already taken most effectual steps towards the attainment of so desirable an object; first, by protesting against the sale of liquors in booths on the Rangatikei racecourse; and, second, by taking proceedings against those who, under the sanction of the Justices of the Peace, had thus committed a breach of the law. It would be desirable to know by whom the " great indignation" was felt at the course Mr Fox adopted; for we should probably find that it was confined to a very small number of interested individuals. When gambling booths and roulette tables were banished from English racecourses, great indignation was no doubt felt by those who profited by them ; but we doubt whether that indignation was participated in by the great body of the people. In any case, if horse racing cannot be supported unless by the aid of drinking booths, and the promotion of drunkenness and vice, then let horse racing be discontinued. But wo believe that this English sport requires no such adjuncts for its healthy development, and that it would be much better patronized without them. It is the drinking customs of England which have got mixed up and blended with all her business transactions, social recreations, public festivals, religious ceremonies, and popular sports and pastimes, which give strength to the drinking system, and do more than any number of public houses to perpetuate drinking habits amongst the people. Having such convictions, it has afforded us no ordinary gratification to learn that Mr Fox has had the courage to boldly take the bull by the horns, and we cannot but hope that in so unequal a contest he will come off victorious.

There no pleasing some people. There is no satisfying human nature. This is the conclusion the Sydney " Herald" has arrived at after witnessing the conduct of the people of New South Wales with regard to their railways. We may learn a lesson from their experience. Before railways were commenced there a liberal return was promised on their outlay. The colony was only for a time to be responsible. Passengers would readily pay their fare by the railway, which though high, would be immensely reduced. Farmers and storekeepers wouli be sufficiently benefitted by the saving of time, even if the cost remained the same. The colony therefore would only be supporting a great enterprize by lending its name. Now the railways have been made, another note is heard. Seduction of fares and freights is the sole concern of those who heretofore were full of public spirit and promises. It will be the case here. It is the interest of certain classes to get railways constructed whether they will pay or not. It will be the interest of other, if not the same, classes, to get fares and freights reduced to the lowest point. " If," says the " Herald," " the country were totakegoods and passengers for nothing, it would be argued by some that it was a cruel tyranny not to have porters in readiness for the freight to save the trouble of delivery; and it would be said to be still more in sensible to the claims of humanity to carry people so far without giving them refreshment on the road as they do at Ministerial picnics." This may be thought an extravagant statement, but from what wo have seen of the conduct of this colony we are convinced of its perfect accuracy. The diffusion of more en--1 ightenedand less selfish ideas is the only remedy. Enlightened and unselfish men would feel ashamed to accept of a special benefit at the cost or injury of the community at large.