The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1878.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5234, 1 January 1878, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1878.

The year 1877 must be regarded as one of the happiest periods in the history of this colony. No native war has paralysed industry, and the outlying settlers—the advanced guards of civilisation—have retained peaceful possession of their homes, and the lands of the interior are fast being opened up by the advance of the progressive Briton. The disaffected natives have become more friendly, and in those districts where a few years ago the white man dare not set foot, he is now invited by the “lords of the soil” to come and make a home for himself. The Maoris are evidently beginning to comprehend the advantages derived from the presence of the pakeha, and the old habits of suspicion are giving way to those of confidence and a feeling of mutual interest. When we say that no native disturbance of any moment has occurred during the past tvvelve mouths, we announce a gratifying fact, the force of .which can only be fully realised by those who have actually witnessed the disastrous effects Maori wars have had upon this country. In every quarter there may be observed signs that the great native difficulty—so far as the colony being involved in a general war is concerned—is for ever at rest, and that nothing further may be seriously apprehended, at the utmost only a disturbance of a local character. That is the general opinion of those who are best acquainted with the state of the Maori mind. We have referred to native affairs especially because an attempt has been made to injure the credit of the colony by a, gentleman occupying a high position in the Government, who stated that the colony might be called upon at any moment, to defend itself from an internal foe. There are few will deny that the Public Works policy has borne good fruit. When that policy was initiated it will be remembered that many regarded it as Utopian ; but as that policy has wrought vast changes for the better in New Zealand, those who denounced it most heartily are now the most clamorous for the expenditure.of public moneys. Last session a four million loan was brought down by the present Ministry, but the good sense of the House prevented such a large accession to our debt, and the loan was reduced to two millions and a half, a sum amply Sufficient to meet the requirements of the colony for the present year if prudently administered. Some fears were entertained that as the expenditure on public works diminished great distress would bo caused by the numbers thrown out of employment. But those who have studied the circumstances of the colony during the past few years must have been struck with the wonderful powers of absorption of labor shown by the ordinary industries of the country; and now no fear are apprehended in that direction. As regards connecting

Wellington with the interior, not much has been accomplished during the past year, and eighteen months or two years more will probably elapse before this oity r is placed in rapid communication with the various centres of population on the rich plains of the Wairarapa. Another important means of connecting this city with the interior was proposed a few weeks bade —namely, a line of railway from the Hutt to Palmerston North, via Pahautanui and Waikanae, and a Bill was introduced in Parliament setting land apart for the construction of the line; but owing to the late period of the session at which it was introduced it was rejected by the Legislative Council. The importance of this work cannot be over-estimated, and we can only hope that next session Parliament will at an early period be placed in full information of the subject, and that the Bill setting apart the lands will become law. This line would open up a large extent of unsettled country, which must remain unsettled until some effectual means of communication are established between ic and the port of Wellington. The provinces ceased to exist from the beginning of the year 1877, and the evils that were predicted from their abolition have happily not been realised. Tho Counties Act has proved a fairly workable measure, and contains the principles upon which a really efficient form of local government may be founded. The legislation of the year embraces some 140 Bills which passed both Houses of Parliament, and received the sanction of the Governor, but by far the greater portion of the Bills were of a local character, and have no 'general application. Of the really colonial measures, the first in importance is the Education Bill, which is intended to provide a sound education, free to every child in the country. The Bill was introduced by the late Ministry ; but on their retirement from office was taken up by the present Government, and after some modifications in committee passed into law. This Act alone will make the session of 1877 famous as the first in which a general system of education was provided for the youth of the colony. The Land Bill was also an important measure, being the nearest approach which the circumstances of the colony and the state of parties in the Legislature would admit of to a uniform land law. A disgraceful attempt to burk the measure after it had passed both Houses of Parliament was foiled by the firmness of his Excellency the Marquis of Normanbv. The Financial Arrangements Act makes the Land Fund colonial revenue, thereby settling a much vexed question. Id was given up mainly by those who were formerly the most strenuous for its retention, and who, if other hands had been laid upon it, would have started a political crusade, and denounced the despoilers. But when it was offered to the Northern members by the provincialists of Otago, of course it would have been against human nature for them to refuse it. Passing from legislative to other matters, there is every reason to feel gratified at the substantial progress which has been made in every bramSi of industry : fresh fields have been opened up for the investment of capital, giving increased employment to the people. Although no new public works have been undertaken in the city of any magnitude, private enterprise has been most active, and substantial, handsome, and commodious structures have been added to the commercial portion of the city, while tho large and beautiful dwelling-houses which have been built in all directions bespeak an era of plenty. But the most pleasant aspect of the general prosperity is the numerous working men who have secured freeholds and homes of their own. The best test of the stability of a place is the gradual rise in the value of property, for it shows the confidence of the people in its •permanent prosperity. Judged by this standard, Wellington has a bright future. Property has increased in value fourfold within the last four or five years, and still shows a tendency to enhanced value. In the settled country districts land has also greatly advanced in value. Steady employment has been afforded to the working classes at fair wages, and no country can bo considered prosperous except such is tho case. Sir Julius "Vogel described the work of colonisation as the building up of happy homes. Many homes have been built up in this city and province during the past twelve months. Whether they are happy homes or not will depend upon the sobriety, industry, thrift, and honesty of those who rear them. There is nothing in the circumstances of this colony to prevent its people being as happy as any other people under the sun; and with an earnest desire that colonists will practice all homely virtues, we have much pleasure in wishing them a Happy New Year.