TOPICS OF THE MONTH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5521, 6 December 1878, Page 2

TOPICS OF THE MONTH.

The " rod” funnels which aro replacing the “ white” funnels of 10 many of thy steamers which now enter the port of Well igton, are outward and visible signs of tho extension of Now Zealand commerce and of Now Zealand enterprise. Whenever a Colonial J rca urer shall seek to restore crjuilib. .r u in Ins Budget by taxing joint-stock enterprise, ho v. not bo mot with tho striking example of the crudeness and infairn s of his fiscal proposal which was lately afforded by tho fact that, whilst the incidence of his tax was, shoit of Mc-sra. MoMookan and Company whoso ships wore trading on tho Now Zealand coast, it reached tho Union Steam Ship Company whose fleet were engaged in the same pursuit. Tho Union Company having become now tho purchasers of tho Melbourne Company’s ships, if, next year, it shoi d stl ' be tho opb ion of our “real Govo.aor,” Sir Goorgo Grey, that tho investment of capit. 1 in joint stock enterprise is an invasion of the rights of tho human raco for all time, and ought to bo diacor 'aged

or suppressed, Mr. Dallance may have a wider gathering ground for his fiscal exactions out of the profits of tho new undertaking. It appears clear, however, that; the Union Steam Ship Company are not afraid of our Premier, and that they appeal against him to tho people of the Colony by an exhibition of enterprise and spirit whiclx deserves commendation, and will, we hope, meet what is more important to the shareholders—a reward in the shape of substantial pocumiu-y advantage. A complete round of communication between Syluey, Melbourne, Hobarton, and all the chief ports in this Colony, is arranged in he time-table for this month just issued by the Union Company ; aud although tho proclivity of tho directors’ inclination may be towards Dunedin, which is the head-quarters of the company at present, it is impossible not to note that, in the details of the arrangement, this port is the point from which the principal lines are made practically to radiate, and that the exceptional natural advantages which Wellington enjoys from its position are steadily and surely exercising their power of attraction, and are making it the great central distributing port of New Zealand. What is wanting in the way of artificial accommodation will be supplied in time, and we shall then no doubt see the principal establishment of the Union Company placed here, where its now large interests and the movements of its fifteen ships can be most conveniently superintended. Whilst Mr. Maoandrew is doing so much to make Dunedin the centre of the great railway system of the South, and whilst the interests of the North in that matter are still, like so many other things, “ under consideration” by tho Government, it will not be unreasonable to expect that the system of sea lines should have its centre here at Wellington. Whatever be the will of Ministers or of directors, however, trade will follow the “flag” of natural advantages in a port, and on that ground a comparison between Dunedin and Wellington, is needless.

Announcement is made that, in a very short time, the portion of the reclaimed land which is estimated to be required to produce £IOO,OOO in cash will be offered for sale by the Government. When the reclamation was undertaken by the Colony it was understood that one of the principal objects of the work was to afford room for the railway station, so that it might be in close prox : m ! ty to the business portion of tho city, to the d- ep water, and to the wharf where shipping discharge and load. The construction of a railway wharf in connection with the station wrs always declared to be a part of the scheme for public accommodation provided by the ra-’lway. The advantag'S of such en arrangement are obvious, and need hardly be insisted on. In Lyttelton the trucks of the main fine go upon the wharf and alongside of the ships lying there. Wanting such a convenience, the enormous traffic of which that port is now the centre could not be carried on as it has been. In Christchurch the railway station is at ; ™ distance from the city, and the inconvenience which has been thus caused, unavoidably perhap-, is a constant source of complaint, annoyance, and expense to travellers. In Auckland the railway station is on the site of the old Port Britom..rt, and partly on land reclaimed from the sea for the purpose. A railway wha-f has been built in correction frith it. The distance of the station from the end of Queen-street and from the Queen-street wharf is about equal to the distance from Mil's’ foundry to the wharf here, and yet complaints of the inconvenience inflicted on travelers and upon the :e engaged in commerce, have been so loud and pera : itent, that the Government have been at length forced to go to the expense of reclaiming land and making a new railway station, beside the Queen - street wharf, some 20 chains d'stant from that now used. The same difficulty and the same complaints have arisen ; n Dnadn ; but the means of obviating them have not been so o.rs'ly found in that place. It *r understood that the Government propo e to make what is called a “ cheap” recHmation at Thorndon, and that the Wellington railway station is to be kept there. The difference in the cost of tho reclamation alone, as it would appear, is to be allowed to determine the choice of site. We think that the people of Well’ngton, astlre people of otherplaces, may not unreasonably claim t > have a voice in the settlement of a question which so nearly affects their interest and that of their City. The traffic by the railway now is but a very sma’l instalment of that which may bo expected when the lines to Wanganui and Napier are connected with it, and the inconveniences of having the station at a distance from the wharves, aud from what may be called the port, will be fu'ly realised only when, the reclaimed land having been sold, the remedy may ho either impossible or inordinately expensive. The question whether or not, for the sake of a few thousand pounds paid now into the Colonial Treasury, the prospects of tho future should be loft out of the account, is very serious. It is true we have a City Tramway, but if the City Tramway were called upon to carry goods as well a 1 paxeugers to aud from the railway through the crowded thoroughfares the difficulties placed in the way of business, aud the extent of the charges necessarily imposed upon commerce, would be at once apparent. The subject is one which is worthy of prompt consideration by tho citizens, and it is with the view of ventilating it that wo now make reference to it. It is a question purely of public convenience, outside of po l ’tics altogether, and it should bo discussed and determined upon its merits, with the experience of other places in New Zealand as a guide.

The New Zealand Elector of the future is to be , a superior being. Ministers told us yesterday that “ the public mind is gradually “ awaking to the fact that in pursuing any “ systematic curriculum, in deciding upon what “ shall and what shall not be included ia the “ course of study, ouo object must be steadily “ kept in view ; it must constantly be reiaem- ‘ .hered that the true and or ’y practical purpose “ of all national education is to produce men “ fitted to discharge their duties to the Slate.” That is to teach them how te vote. The stumping process of political education has failed, or has its limits, and “intelligent voters” are hereafter to be raised in the secondary schools. Amongst the subjects upon whieh the “golden youth” are to be instructed is the economic philosophy of subsidies to waggon companies, a question which appe irs to occupy a large place iu the mind of Ministers at this moment. Professor Conyers will be able to fdl a chair iu the new Institute with great advantage. It is probably desirable that sound elementary opirons should prevail upon a question so important, and that men should not rush into an euterp.ke guaranteed to pay seventeen per cent, on the capital invested, without having received prev' jus instructions iu “political economy and general geography” in the new Government schools. Mr. Squaers had a practical method of instruction at Dothcboya Hall which was ah least original; when bo had taught a boy to spell the word “ window” ho always, lie said, set him to work to clean one, iu. order to fix the orthography in his memory. The Minister of Public Works reverses the process, and deiircs that wo should- a' 1 go in for waggon contracts now,, and learn the economic philosophy of them by-and-byo. The article of yesterday reminded us that, three weeks since, Ministers, after expatiating on the advantages of waggon contracts generally, gave the following frank invitation to our Wellington fellow-citizens, which it may not bo too late to reproduce :—“ In callhigthe at- “ tontion of our citizens and men of business to “ this matter wo are induced to do so by the “ hope and the desire that they may reap as “ much benefit as any other section of the com- “ munity from the action of the preseht Govern- “ mont in encouraging colonial industry ; and “ that they may get a ‘ waggon job ’ as well as “ their Duuodiu brethren. Whether the mode “ of conducting business proposed by the Duu- “ ediu Company is the best is open to cousidera- “ tion ; as many companies at Home—notably “ the Bristol Waggon Company—prefer the « builc r «)g and selling of trucks to freighters on “ the deferred-payment system, thus throwing “ the onus and cost of maintenance on the “ owners from the time of delivery.” Oei .aiuly "there ia no reason why, if the Government are determined to throw away the public money, the Wellington manufacturers should not have a share of the plunder as well as those of Duuodiu; all should, on the Cornish wreckers’ principle, start fair. If, however, wo wore ourselves fortunate enough to get a waggon job, we should imitate the prudence of the Bristol Waggon Company, and sell to the Government at onco rather than accept the terms offered to tho Duuediu Company on the chance of public opinion .in the future being sufficiently educated to believe that it could, under any circumstances, be bettor for tho Colony to pay “over 17 per cent.” for what could be easily procured for 5 per cent.

The Press Agency telegrams regarding tho progress of tho Native Minister, Mr. Sheehan, at Taranaki being necessarily meagre, we are glad for tho information of our readers to reprint the official report published yesterday morning by the Ministers now in Wellington. As evidence of friendly relations having “ at last ” been established, tho report

is very gratifying, and full of encouragement. Mr. Sheehan it appears “ slept with Rowi” on Sunday night at Waitara, and “ Rewi slept with Mr. Sheehan” on Monday night at Cottier’s Hotel ; chacun a- son tour. This Is quite a new line of native policy. There was, no doubt, what Mr. Shandy would have called “a h-d of justice,” and it was then, perhaps, arv uged that instead of going at once to Waikato by way pf Mokau, as lie proposed, the Minister should reverse the route and come from Waikato to Taranaki by way of Mokau on a future occasion when there will be no fear of giving offence to Tawhiao by so doing. It appears also that what we may venture to call the Christian name “ Hannah” of the steamer which was to carry peace and commerce into Kawhia and Mokau has been wiped out to avoid “ trouble.” Mr. Sheehan in Parliament attached great importance to the fact that Rewi had become part owner of this steamer, but with great “tact” he omitted to tell the House that, now the purchase was made, Rewi is under the impression that the share was bought for, and given to, him by the Government. He knows that he paid nothing. The old chief must have had a good time altogether, and appears to have enjoyed himself thoroughly. We hope that this is only the beginning of a series of bulletins of the like description ; even although we are obliged to take them at second hand as it were, we shall gladly give them place as historical records of important events, and as modest testimonials of arduous official labor and of social success :

(From the Own Correspondent of the New Zealander.) Waitaba, November 26.

The visit of the Native Minister to this district, at the invitation of Rewi Maniapoto, has been the most successful stroke of diplomacy since Mr. Sheehan assumed his portfolio, and certainly more successful than anything that ever attended the exertions of previous Native Ministers. Mr. Sheehan and his party, consisting of the Hon. Honni Nahe, Major Campbell, Captain Maunsell, Dr. Hector, Major Kemp, and Mr. Lewis, his private secretary, on arriving here on Sunday were heartily welcomed by Rewi, who had driven from his house to the township to meet them. The vessels in the harbor and some of the buildings were decorated with flags, and every mark of respect shown to the Minister. Rewi expressed regret that Sir George Grey’s health did not permit of him accompanying the Native Minister. The old warrior, in n suit of the best tweed, and with a dignified bearing, met the Native Minister as one friend would meet another, and invited him to liis house. Mr. Sheehan slept with Rewi on Sunday night, and yesterday the Ministerial party accompanied Rewi to Waihi, and opened his new house. In the evening Rewi drove with Mr. Sheehan to New Plymouth, the first time he has been in town since the war. Upon arrival at New Plymouth they were met at Cottier’s Hotel by Mr. Standish, the Mayor, Colonel Trimble of the County Council, Mr, Kelly, M.H.R., Mr. Barleyman, Collector of Customs Mr. Jones, of Mokau, Major Luke, Dr. O 'J-utol and others. Rewi’a health was drunk. a.M expressions of good-will exchanged. Rowi said his thoughts had led to such a friendly greeting. The party dined with the Mayor, and in the evening the party attended the Star Minstrel performance, Rewi and the Minister being seated together. There was a crowded attendance, and the entry of the Minister with the chief was greeted with applause. Rewi and the chiefs were delighted with rhe entertainment. Dr. Pollen was not present, having remained in Wellington. Rewi slept at Cottier’s Hotel with the Minister. The other chiefs were billetted over the town. The chiefs from Waikato are much pleased at the progress of the friendliness between ReulaudMr. Sheehan, and the understanding concluded is of the highest importance to the colony. Rewi is very anxious not to do anything likely to give offence to the King or his people, and be asked Mr. Sheehan to meet him again in Waikato earljP in December and accompany him through the Maniopoto ountry to Mokau, instead of going from Mokau to Waikato, as at first proposed. .The name of the steamer in which Rewi has an interest will be changed from Hannah Mokau to Mokau only, at Rowi's request, so that no trouble will arise from the native name. Rewi to-day said he did not wish any persons to come between himself and the Native Minister ; that they both had marked out a road, and it now behoved the both races to follow it. Mr. Sheehan has won golden opinions of the settlers and natives of this district. There is no doubt much of his groat success, in addition to his wonderful abilities, and tact in dealing with the natives, lies in the fact of his being a Minister easy of approach by the most humble of both races. Rewi remains in New Plymouth to-night, and is expected here tomorrow with Mr. Sheehan.