The Oamaru Mail FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1880.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 24 December 1880, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1880.

Ox this, the last opportunity of addressing onr readers on this side of Christmas, we are opportunely reminded, not only of the flight of time, but of our obligation to wish our numerous mends the compliments of the season.... Other writers are filling a larger space at this season, and we gladly give place to their Christmas annuals And other brochures, for are they not alj harbingers of a glonouß season. We too, however, have our humbler duty to perform. Another year has almost gone. The sand glass is well nigh empty. Old Father Time .will soon have completed another year's harvest and the last sheaf be gathered in. Such considerations are chiefly for the moralist and the preacher. Ours is the more modest ta3k of dealing with such mattors as eome more properly within the province of-the journalist. Within such narrow limits there is much in the retrospect of the year both interesting and important. In the political world there is food for much anxious thought. We desire, of course, on an. occasion of this kind to bury the past and look chiefly on the sunny side ; but we cannot escape the reflection, nevertheless, that, in some respects, the year has been one of much retrogression. To the ardent politician who desires political progress and the growth of liberal institutions," the retrospect is far from cheering. The country seemed to have awakened from a long sleep. Liberalism was triumphant. The harvest seemed ready for the sickle. But the disintegration of the liberal _ party withered and blighted the brightest hopes. We never believed in that part}' in the State which displayed such anxiety to displace the Liberal party and for the nonce professed allegiance to Liberal measures. We never doubted the insincerity and hypocrisy of their protestations, and the history of their administration amply justifies both our convictions and our censures. Where are liberal measures hinted at now ? Instead of that, we have by ministerial jugglery had other questions crowded to the front, and the attention both of the country and of the people's representatives imperatively diverted by such side winds. The political prospect is unutterably gloomy. Are not the lands of the Colony in many localities being administered exclusively in the interests of the great landed aristocracy 1 And just as the straw serves to show how the wind blows, so likewise to those who watch for the signs of the times there are abundant indications that the incidence of taxation i 3 likewise to be re-adjusted in the interests of property. Hence, we hear of the re-imposition of the tea and sugar duties, the abridgment pf our educational system, more grinding retrenchment still—and all for what ? To lessen the burthen of the working classes who are contributing ao disproportionately to the expenses of government ? No. If this were the object, such legislation might be welcome ; but the design is to ,ef rid of the Property Tax, or to prevent the substitution of other taxation that would affect the interests of the wealthier classes. When such retrogressive measures are hinted at in high places it behoves the people to be upon their guard. A day of retribution will assuredly come. Liberalism is not dead it only sleeps ; aud the awakening will be tremendous. If we turn our eyes to the commercial world, there is arable room for congratulation. The year opened amidst the profoundest gloom. Men's hearts failed them for very fear. Never j before had commerce suffered such an (eclipse. A better state of things has i supervened, and on every hand we haye the gratifying evidences of restored confidence, revived trade, and much steady progress. The transition from commerce to agriculture i 3 easy enough, and here, likewise, we are glad to be able to chronicle very considerabla improvement. On all hands we hear of fair crops, and we trust that these will prove unfailing indications of a plentiful harvest and a goodmarket. The anxieties of the farmer cannot yet, however, be said to be at an end. He has yet to demonstrate that a foreign market will yield sufficiently remunerative prices. Improved appliances, and better meaus of transit, neff discoveries and inventions are auxiliaries that will enable him to Bolve this problem. Our industrial progress does not stop here. The year has been fruitful of much agitation, and we trust, also, of much advancement in the matter of local manufacturing interests; and the time does not seem far distant when our own productions will take the place of numerous imported articles. Need we again reiterate our conviction of the enormous advantages of such development — how our wages fund will increase and money be kept in circulation among ourselves, our own productiveness and industry taking the place of such a continuous and wasteful drain upon our resources. In mining matters, too, the year has been distinguished by valuable fresh discoveries, which may most opportunely absorb much of our surplus labor, reduce the distress with which we were threatened, and increase our national wealth. Our retrospect ia far from complete. But surely there are many hopeful auguries, and every colonist may take heart. Periodical depressions we may reckon upon as one ingredient in our experience, for are not all young communities too easily beguiled into premature and adventurous enterprises. It is thus that nations, however, as well as individuals, learn both wisdom and endurance. At this glad season of such universal goodwill to all mankind we cannot refrain from alluding to the many victims of retrenchment who have been suddenly plunged into hardship and misery. There must aUo be much sorrow and suffering as the result of such a prolonged commercial crisis, and for all such we express our cordial sympathy. Christmas will greet many this year whose prospectß are gloomy indeed. May it prove likewise the harbinger of brighter davs in store. We have faith iji the Colony, and upon those who can wait fortune sooner or later may be expected to smile. To the unemployed in the lower strata of society we venture also to say a kind word. The clouds are assuredly scattering, and we can now behold the silver lining. Our national calamities should teach our statesmen that neither our crowded Civil Service, nor emigration stimulated beyond our ability to absorb population, are desirable —that although political foes may be placated by such means, the day of retribution must assuredly come. From the loftiest mansions to the humblest cottage—ay ! even to the abodes of misery and crime—this universal festival will come with its welcome greetings—"a merry Christmas and a happy New Year." We shall not trespass upon the domain of the preacher, but at this great Christian anniversary may we not express the hope that all of which Christmas is the sacred symbol will never lose its hold upon the minds of men. Amidst the high pressure of modern society it invites us to praise, to cast our garments and spread our branches in the way of Him we hail as the Prince of Peace.