Thank you for correcting the text in this article. Your corrections improve Papers Past searches for everyone. See the latest corrections.

This article contains searchable text which was automatically generated and may contain errors. Join the community and correct any errors you spot to help us improve Papers Past.

Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

The year 1877 must be regarded as one of the happiest periods in the history of this colony. No native war lias 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 pf. mutual interest. When we say,that no native disturbance of any moment has occurred during the past twelve months, we announce a gratifying fact, ; the force o: which can only be fully realised by those who have actually witnessed the disastrous effects Maori wars have bad 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 expendituie on public works diminished great distress would be 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 city is placed in rapid communication with the various centres of population on the rich plains of , the Wairarapa. Another important means of connecting this citj' with the interior was proposed a few weeks back—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. The Counties Act has. proved a fairly workable measure, and contains the principles upon which a really efficient form of local government may bd 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 l 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 upby 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 wliich 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. Adisgracofnl attempt to burk the measure after it had passed both Houses of Parliament was foiled, by the firmness of his Excellency the Marquis of Nokmanbt. The Financial Arrange-, meats Act makes the Land Fund colonial revenue, thereby settling a much vexed question. It 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 branch 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 the 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 workingmen 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 lias been afforded to the working classes at fair wages, and no country can be considered prosperous except such is the 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. We have heard a good deal of the native policy of the present Government, and are anxiously awaiting the show of blossoms which ought shortly to burst forth from the prbmising branches of the colonial fig-tree, the fruit from which it is to be hoped will be duly gathered by the Native -Minister, and be stored in the Premier's garner. On the Grey Ministry assuming ; office, we were - shortly afterwards informed that “the empire "was peace,” in fact that Tawhiao was only waiting for an interview with Sir George Grey, and the lion and the “lamb” would lay down together. We at that time ventured to differ .with several ofour contemporaries, we having taken stops for the purpose of obtaining reliable information from the King country. Our contemporaries then doubted the accuracy of the telegrams, and some members of the House of Representatives went so far as to question the correctness of the translations of the messages received. Now what is the result? The Premier and the Native Minister,' who were reported to have ' been, invited to attend meetings at Te Kuiti, are not going there, but will return to Wellington after stumping Taranaki “en route.” This is very interesting to behold, and shows that Sir George Grey is not prepared jo grapple the difficulty “ which may at any time and without warning arise with the internal foe” of the European race in this colony. On the other hand, how does Tawhiao conduct himself ? According to the last accounts he has published a manifesto that “he is like a-calf tied up to a stake, the mother of wliich strays away to feed, buty,through maternal instincts returns to suckle its ' offspring.” And he says that such is the case'with the Maori race, who, although feeding on what they can . at present procure; from the Government, will on a future occasion return to him and aid him against them. We do not for a moment suppose that Tawhiao intends to wage war against us, but think he still desires to keep aloof from the Europeans and retain if possible a Maori imperiurn within the British imperio. ...

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18780104.2.4

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5236, 4 January 1878, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,647

Untitled New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5236, 4 January 1878, Page 2

Untitled New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5236, 4 January 1878, Page 2

Help

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert