Talk of the Week.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 310, 30 March 1878, Page 13

Talk of the Week.

A deputation from the Education Board waited on the Minister of Education yesterday, on the subject of the grant of a piece of land for a school at Thorndon, and in reference to the vote of £7OOO which formed the subject matter of considerable discussion at the last meeting of the Board. The Minister informed the deputation that the Government had agreed to give the Education Board half an acre of the reclaimed land near the railway station, and promised to take the question of the £7OOO vote into consideration. The Rev. Father Hennebery denies that he ever stated that mixed marriages between Catholics and non-Catholics were no marriages at all, and contradicts other statements made by the Westland Press in reference to him. He further adds that if the reports be repeated he shall take legal proceedings. There seems to have been some considerable excitement over the affair at Kumara ; but no breach of the peace has ensued. The latest European news is to the effec that the situation is critical, and that difficulties beset the proposed Congress. Telegrams from the Continent express fears that the situation may result in war, and that England is preparing for such a contingency. There is still, however, reason to think that wiser counsels will prevail, and that peace will be maintained. The feeling of the people in England is decidedly against war, if it can possibly be avoided consistently with the preservation of national honor, and in this feeling the colonists of Australia and New Zealand generally participate. There have been two or three fires in town this week, but none of them of any magnitude. In one case it is evident that a deliberate attempt was made to burn down the Evening Argus printing office. A reward of £IOO is offered for such information as will lead to the conviction of the offender, and it is to be hoped he will loe brought to justice, but at present this does not seem very probable. In another case—the burniug of Mrs. Mason’s board and lodging house in Willis-street—an inquest was held, and a verdict was returned to the effect that the fire was accidental, but in what manner the accident occurred there was no evidence to show. Erom the evidence it appeared that the furniture in the house was insured for £I3OO, which seems a large amount. Sir George Grey having completed his stumping tour of the Middle Island, left for Auckland yesterday, on his way to the Upper Waikato, where he is to have another “ korero” with the Maori king. That the interview will be a lengthy one, and end in nothing practical being done, will probably be the total result of the affair. That Sir George Grey will be able to accomplish what Sir Donald McLean could not do in the direction of opening up the king country to European settlement and civilization, does not seem very likely, and the present Native Minister (Mr. Sheehan), although possessing tact and ability, has no great prestige with the Maoris. The chances are, therefore, that the present political visit of the Premier to King Tawhio s domain will be of little use. The Hon. Mr, Johnston, M.L.G., and Mr. Walter Johnston, M.H.R. for Manawatu, waited upon the Government on Tuesday, for the purpose of representing the desirability of expediting the transit of the overland mail between Wellington and Wanganui as soon aa the railway between Foxton and Wanganui shall be opened. The deputation pointed out that if the coach between here and Foxton would travel at the rate of eight miles an hour it might arrive at Foxton about four o’clock, and that a. train leaving Foxton a little after four wonhi arrive in Wanganui at about eight. They subm'tted it would be of great advantage to the public that letters -should take only on^

day iu transmission, instead of two, and to save a day in travelling would be a great boon to passengers by overland conveyance. Both the Minister for Public Works and the Post-master-General promised to give the matter their favorable consideration. Mr. Hunter had intended to be present, but wa.s unavoidably prevented, and Mr. Barton did not, owing to indisposition, come into town, or we have no doubt he would have willingly assi-ted to further the matter.

Ix addressing the electors at the Theatre Royal, Mr. Barton coolly blamed the Atkinson Government for raising the price of land last session. Mr. Hutchison previously made a similar statement. There is gross misrepresentation on this subject, or a lamentable amount of ignorance on the part of those who might naturally be expected to know from which side of the House emanated one of the most important measures passed during the last sittings of the Assembly. It was Sir George Grey’s Waste Bands Bill which doubled the price of land in the North Island, and it was strongly opposed by the members of tlie late Government. We do not attribute any desire on the part of Mr. Barton to mislead his audience. He was simply utterly ignorant of what he was talking about. Mr. Barton is now in the character of a representative, and his doings in a measure reflect upon the constituency. It therefore behoves him not to circulate false statements to injure his political opponents. It was unfortunate for him he made the remark he did. He evidently believes in cheap laud. Sir George Grey and Mr. Stout believe in dear land. Mr. Barton has promised to support Sir George thi’ough thick and thin. The new member for the City must therefore, to be consistent, swallow his opinions on that greatest of all questions—the disposal of the public estate.

The question of forest preservation is attracting a large amount of attention in the United States, and already legislation has been effected with a view of putting a stop to the wholesale denudation of the forests which is taking place in all the settled districts of the Union. It may not be generally known that there are whole districts in America which, even at this early date, have been rendered almost sterile by denuding the laud entirely of vegetation. America largely supplies the countries of the Old World with timber for building purposes, and consequently it might be expected that this would contribute considerably to the destruction of the forests ; but those well acquainted with the subject are of opinion that most of the denudation takes place through gross carelessness or ignorance of the mischief caused by divesting the country of its natural covering. The work of destruction is rapidly going on in New Zealand. A previous Government sought the advice of one of the most eminent authorities on forestry. Captain Campbell-Walker’s report has been published now for a considerable time, and although that report was conclusive on the necessity of taking some action to preserve the forests of the country, nothing of any moment has as yet been done. Writing on the subject of forest preservation, a Californian contemporary truly says that if there is such a thing as the barbarism of civilization it is most strikingly exhibited iu the destruction of forests. The following facts may serve as one of many illustrations : —“ When Tunis was a Roman province the country supported a population of 20,000,000. The number of inhabitants does not now exceed 1,500,000, and it is doubtful whether a much larger population could find subsistence there at the present day. Lieutenant-Colonel R. B. Playfair, the British Consul-General in Algeria, attributes this changed condition of Tunis to the extensive destruction of forests which has taken place since ancient times. Vast plains, now covered with arid sand, were formerly clothed with timber. Even only a century ago, as appears from the narrative of the celebrated Scottish traveller, .James Bruce, there were many extensive tracts of woodland in Tunis where there is not now a. single tree. Since the forests have been removed, the fertile mould which once gave the country its agricultural prosperity has been largely buried under the sands of the desert.”

In commenting upon Mr. Barton’s speech on Friday, we had no desire to ignore his political opinions. It is surprising how little attention is paid to his views on the public questions of the day. Mr. Barton’s quarrel with the Judges and his committal have completely swallowed up all other matters, and for the fiist time, we believe, in the history of the colony a man has been returned to Parliament to represent Irs own grievances. Pally twothirds of Mr. Barton's speech on Thursday night had reference to Judges, Resident Magistrates, Court officials, bailiffs, arid policemen. Mr. Barton’s views are certainly not of so revolutionary a character as those held by several members of the Begislature. For instance, he sees the necessity of an Upper House, as providing a check upon hasty legislation ; for “ democratic as he was, he was old enough to know that die people sometimes went too fast.” However, lie stated he would have no objection to the occasional swamping of the Begislative Council by the creation of new members when the second Chamber showed itself particularly obstructive. Still our new representative is more conservative than the present Attorney-General; for Mr. Stout would abolish the Upper House altogether, and leave the work of legislation to a iiugle Chamber. On this point most people will prefer the opinions of Mr. Barton to those of Mr. Stout. The latter gentleman has not yet gained sufficient experience to rid him of the theoretical follies of his youth. Again, Mr. Barton does not regard the unfortunate squatters with such abhorrence as the Premier. Sir George would clear the ruuholders out root and branch, and would grant no respite, Mr. Barton says that would be rather an extreme course, and with his native simplicity and innocence

asks what would become of the sheepowners and their flocks ? A little more knowledge, and he might have asked, if the wool-growing industry was destroyed, where the money would come from to pay the working man his wages on a Saturday afternoon. Fully twothirds of the money circulating in Wellington is derived from the wool on the sheep’s back. There is really no reason why the squatters should be held up for special reprobation. Many of them are poor men, who have to struggle for existence, and we undertake to say that there are not a dozen squatters within the province of Wellington whose profits are above those of a lawyer in good practice. There is a vast amouut of ignorance on this point, and that ignorance is taken advantage of by designing politicians. Mr. Barton stated that he knew a runholder in New Zealand who was able to purchase 30,000 acres or land through the pi'olits arising from an advance of a single penny per pound on one year’s clip. That statement is utterly ridiculous. Assuming- that the fictitious runholder only paid 10s. an acre for his land, and allowing a high average clip, he must have shorn over 700,000 sheep ! And by the uttei’ance of such rubbish as the above, it is sought to enlighten the “ free and independent ” electors of Wellington on the chief industry of the colony.

Sir George Grey is a source of wonder to our Australian neighbors. From Queensland to Western Australia the opinions which have been expressed on the strange statements which now and again astonish us here, have been of a character not flattering to the great proconsul. We are not aware of a single paper in Australia or Tasmania vxhich gives the slightest credence to the astounding revelations by which Sir George Grey hopes to frighten us benighted New Zealanders out of our senses. The last discovery was at the Arcade, when the speaker seriously informed his hearers that plots were being hatched in England to force the people of the colonies to contribute to the support of the British fleet. We are not aware that a single Ministerial journal in the colony has commented upon that statement ; although, if there is any truth in the Premier's assertion, the subject is certainly of far greater magnitude than an extension of the franchise, or any other of the proposed measures for the relief of the oppressed people of New Zealand. The organs of the Ministry are constantly prating of the Premier’s great ability, and above all his foresight. Hacl he not prophesied a generation ago the exact position each town and district of New Zealand occupies at the present day. After foretelling so much, surely his followers should hearken to what he now says about the tjranny which is being hatched in the mother couuti-y. The matter is really very serious. We either have a gentleman who is subject to sti'ange h illucinations at the bead of affairs; or our liberties may be swept away from us at any moment by tlie designing statesmen of England. There is of course another interpretation to put upon Sir Geoi’ge Giey’s conduct, but it is almost inci’edible to think that any man would utter such nonsense if he did not believe it. The Australasian thus refers to the last startling announcement made by the Premier :—“ As a discoverer of mares’ nests Sir Geoi’ge Gi’ey is probably without an equal in the political word. The history of tlie foul conspiracies which he has in his time dragged• to tlie daylight would fill a volume. They range from the intended bombardment of the city of Auckland, in accordance with an agreement between Bord Normanby and the commodore of the squadx-oii, to the scheme of poisoning off obnoxious politicians, arranged iu the secret despatches between Sir George Bowen and the Colonial Office, to which lie lately took occasion again to call attention. The latest bit of perfidy of this kin' l on which Sir George Grey has thrown the fierce light of his Diogenes lantern is a plot, as it seems, of the Government of England to introduce a system of taxing the colonies for the benefit of the British fleet. In a speech which he delivered at Wellington, an address perversely directed throughout to fanning class animosities, Sir George Grey said ‘ There is a party rising iu England, holding certain views, and helping to carx-y out certain views which would be fatal to the good of this country. They maintain, whether you like it or not, that you ai’e to be taxed by Great Britain for the support of her fleet, and she is to determine how much you are to pay. Such a demand ought not to be made upon us, and ought to be resisted. I say it is not right that we should be taxed for the purpose of supporting the navy in Great Britain. The taxation is one which I believe we will not submit to.’ Hear, hear. But what is it all about ? Does anybody besides Sir Geoi’ge Grey know anything of this attempt to renew the system of imposing taxation on colonies, which we all thought was pretty well exploded and frustrated by certain events which happened just about 100 years ago ? Sir George Gi’ey is a melancholy instance of great gifts rendered utterly useless from their unsuitability for the sphere in which he has to work. As a private detective he would excel all those quiet, unassuming, but superhuman individuals, who display such powers of penetration in the circulating library novels. But iu the serious position of Premier of a business-like community, his marvellous discoveries only make him laughed at, and, we should fancy, make his unfortunate colleagues at times feel very absurd and uncomfortable.”

Owing to the action of Sir George Grey, New Zealand alone of all the Australasian colonies has neglected to take advantage of the visit of Sir William Jervois and Colonel Scratching to obtain advice as to the best means of protecting the principal ports of the colony from foreign attack. We ax-e well aware that owing to the number of harbors of importance in New Zealand a considei’able outlay might be required to ensure adequate means of defence. Still we ai - e of opinion that the Ministry did not show a proper regard for the interests of the colony

by refusing to accept the services of Sir William Jervois, If it were found after his report that the expenditure on fortifications, &c., would be too large for the circumstances of the colony, then the outlay need not be made. The visit of Sir Williani Jervois would have committed the colony to no outlay, but would have placed us in possession of valuable information which would be of great service in case of England being involved in war with any naval Bower, an event which may take place at any moment, considei’ing the unsettled state of affail's in Europe. We are informed by the Tasmanian papers that a warm interest is taken in that colony in the subject of harbor defences, and that steps will be taken to carry out the report of Sir William Jervois. If Tasmania, with a limited population and revenue, can affoi’d an expenditure for the protection of Hobarton and Bauxiceston, surely the wealthy and compai-atively populous colony of New Zealand could afford some outlay to guard its four principal shipping ports fi-om being sacked or destroyed by an enemy’s cruiser. We ai-e aware that great efforts have been made in Melbourne and Sydney to keep an enemy at bay, and this in an indirect way may afford some protection to us, for with the two principal cities iu the Australian colonies rendered invulnerable from attack, an enemy may not think it worth while to despatch a squadron to these seas. Still, in the event of England being at war, an enemy’s cruiser might drop down upon us. It would not want a very elaborate scheme of defence to render us safe fi-om such a visitor. Sir Geoi’ge Grey pooh-poohs the idea of seeking advice outside the colony, and the other day he stated that he was possessed of considerable knowledge in matters of defence, and hinted that in case of emei’gency the colony would have the benefit of his engineering skill. We have a painful recollection that Sir George Grey at one time imagined that he possessed the abilities of a great militai’y commander. However, General Cameron refused to recognise his martial qualities ; and we confess to entertaining very grave misgivings as to the great pro-consul’s skill as a defence engineer. Some weeks ago the Premier stated at the Arcade that the mother country would keep these seas free of an enemy’s ships. We pointed out at the time that the colony had no right to shirk the responsibility of its own defence, and that it was impossible that the British navy could pi’oteet all the dependencies of the Empire fi-om flying visits of hostile war-ships. Wilting on the general question of the duties of the colonies, the Sydney Morning Herald says :—“ The circumstances of the Australian colonies do not demand the creation of standing ai-mies such as unhappily the international jealousies and wrongs of Europe render necessai’y there. They are all under one Government, and have a continent entirely to themselves. No feuds can arise amongst them, because there are constitutional means provided for settling all points of diffex-ence. Against the mother country they are not likely to have a difference, for she lias left them to manage their own internal affairs without interference, and will never repeat that experiment of coercion which cost her the allegiance of her American colonists a century ago. What other danger, then, is there for us to fear and to axon against? Simply that which arises from our being an integral part of c‘:e great British Empire. We are a part of the British people, responsible for all that lias grown out of the wars and treaties made by our common ancestors in the past, just as much as our fellow-subjects at Home. We have no right to cut ourselves off from that responsibity, and it would be cowardly and selfish to make the attempt, or even put forward such a claim. Against danger of war every part of the Empire must be prepared. As long as England is mistress of the sea, our share of the necessary preparation will be light. It must consist of guarding our px’incipal ports by fortifications, torpedoes, anti the most appi’oved means of defence as discovered and inventad in military and naval warfare from time to time, and of a sufficient force to man these defences.”