The Oamaru Mail. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1880.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 16 December 1880, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1880.

The Conference of representatives of the principal Colonies now being held in Melbourne ought to become memorable. It is indeed a step, and a very important one, in the right direction—the direction, namely, of closer political and commercial relationship. Some months ago we called the atten tion of the powers that be to the desirable- \ ness of snch a meeting during the Exhibition pencil, and we regret that New Zealand does not appear to be officially represented. Are onr Ministers so much occupied in promoting the tettlcincnt of their wealthy ! friends upon tbe lands of the Colony, and in influencing the labor market in the special arid grinding interests of the wealthy lower orders, that snch matters as intercolonial tariffs, a federal policy, oar natural defences, and a host of others universally regarded as nf tremendous importance, become to them in comparison as trifles light as air ? Was neither man aor Minister qualified to maintain tbe prestige of the Colony, and jealously guard its interests, available for snch a ser. vice ? Within the charmed c:rclo of the Government we readily admit that available talent would not be easilj* found. Tlrlatter is indeed a scarce commodity with them. Snch lofty souls may rise to the high level of such questions as cheeseparing reductions and petrvfogging savings—may grind down the poor without a pang, and may contrive to screw an additional pennyworth out of the unfortunate civil servants —may gioat over their heartless and cruel work, heedless of the wretchedness and misery they are producing, lint matters of intercolonial importance r.ni bono I In common with sonio of our contemporaries, wc deplore the humiliating and unworthy position occupied by New Zealand in this matter. Neither labor nor commerce—nothing, indeed, but land and sheep—can sufficiently rouse our rulers, and those only because their own interests and the interests of their friends are primarily involved. Verily we are a patient people, and meekly bear the yoke. Some of onr contemporaries, we observe, decry our interference with such questions as the border duties, and ridicule the Conference as incompetent to deal with 3ome of the larger questions being discussed. We shrink from such narrow potions, and express unfeigned regret that commissioners were not authorised to represent us. We have not many men of conspicuous ability nor of comprehensive study. The race, we fear, is becoming extinct. No single member of the present llisiiatyy— which we have ever regarded as a fortuitous aggregation of. respectable nonentities —would add much either to the dignity or the usefulness of such a conference. Among their supporters there are, however, some r#en of mark. But what an opportunity for ever lost of placing Sir George Grey in a position for which he is so eminently qualified. It would doubtless be gratifying to hjs own ambition, and Ministers might surely have displayed such magnanimity to a fallen foe. He at least would rise spontaneously to such a position. He would be in his element, and would both charm and adorn such a Conference, or, indeed, any such assemblage in the world, j But while no other statesman in this I hemisphere can be compared with I Sir George Gray for such an appointment, for no one has his ripe experience, his lofty eloquence, his grave dignity—distinguishing attributes that would ad<l lustre to such a gathering. Yet other names occur to us—names familiar as household words. Robert Stout in such a position would do honor both to himself and the Colony, and, though at present ouf of harness, he would, we doubt not, be willing to undertake such a special and important service. Our friend the hon. member for Mount Ida, if at present less prominent, is nevertheless just the sort of man for such a position, and his clear, philosophical, and advanced opinions would be in perfect harmony with the opinions of those who have so ably discussed the several questions which have already ocoupiod tbe Conference. But once more, ad bono ? Thanks to the small men who rule over ua, the opportunity is for ever lost, and what a pity I Who can measure the consequences of such unpatriotic neglect? The reports, as we receive ample information of the proceedings of the Conference, will go far to stimulate and form public opinion—if not in New Zealand, at least in the neighbouring Colonies. Onr isolation is, therefore, to Le deplored. We are lagging behind, instead of keeping abreast of, tho times, and, in such an equivocal position, surely there i? grave prospective danger. The least semblance of indifferentism or weakness when matters of snch pith and moment are at stake is suicidal in the extreme. Not certainly by any ostensible, or, perhaps, even any deliberate, process, but by reason of our neglect, onr best interests may be untentionally sacrificed, and what would be equivalent to an Australian coalition might isolate us both politically and commercially. Thia would be a great misfortune. It behoves us, it behoves specially Ministers of the Crown, who should be equal to such emergencies, to be continually on their watch towers, for of wb»t good sre djumb dogs that' will not bark? We purpose"

indicating once more some of the subjects which might be dealt with at the instance of New Zealand representatives at this Conference. Our space is, . ■ however, exhausted. One gratifying, result so far we desire to notice with mtich pleasure. It is the settlement of the border duties question between New .South Wales and Victoria. We-, eagerly await further information, for, not being a boat race nor a suicide, our telegrams are not veryclear. It would appear, however, that this agreement is on the basis either of reciprocity or freetrade. If this information is confirmed, it will be indeed a surprise to our freetrade friends. They are, however, getting used to such surprises. It is another surprise for them to learn, upon the • concurrent testimonv of so many returned colonists, that the necessaries and luxuries of life are cheaper in Victoria than hc-re. They fail to see that any one class is being taxed Jfor the exclusive benefit of another. The fallacy that colonial protection necessarily means enhanced prices is thus being undermined most opportunely, and to those who comprehend the process, it is not at all surprising—it follows jxs the night the d^y,