The Waikato Times.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1186, 3 February 1880, Page 2

The Waikato Times.

Kqual and exact justice to all men, Of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain, Uaawcd by influence and unbribed by gain.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1880.

« Tub evidence taken by the com- " mitiee Jeacts to the conclusion that " the lands referred to are not likely " to realize, after survey, the amount " of purchase money exclusive of ** payments and expenses on account *■ of such purchase^ In the course " of their enquiries the committee ** have become impressed with the " conviction that the present system " of acquiring native lands is at- " tended with such serious disad- *' vantages that it is expedient it " should cease absolutely." These aro the words used ia an

I exhaustive Report, drawn up by a Parliamentary committee appointed daring 1 last session to enquire into the whole question of native expenditure. They exactly bear out the viewa from time to time enunciated by this journal. We have constantly pointed out that the system of purchase of native land by the Government exclusively most inevitably break dovrn. That the pre-emptive right of the Crown should nover in the first instance have been abandoned we consider indubitable, bat having onoo been abandoned, and private purchase having been permitted, a return to the old theory became absolutely impracticable. The natives gradually became used to de.il with iheir lands in open market, and nothing now will induce them to forego the advantage of an open market in which to offer their lands. Again the number of persona qualified to operate in the purchase of land ia exceedingly limited, and a large proportion of the most able have become permanently absorbed by the private purchasers. The Government haa always had, and always will have to work shorthanded, and the consequence has been that the public has been continually worsted. The sum of Government operations since 1870 as we find from the report already referred to, is that there has been an expenditure of public money of ,£735.128 I4s. sd. for which as already shewn we have a lot of worthless acres that will never realize the purchase money paid for them, and that we are saddled with " negotiations " which entail a prospective liability of ,£1,210,809. Surely vine years experience will be considered sufficient to found an intelligent opinion upon, and what that opinion is, is forcibly shewn in the opening sentences of this article quoted from the Report alluded to. It is clear, pronounced, and nnmiatakeablo — " Government as it speculator is not a success." The question that then demands the immediate and close attention of the public is this : What course shall be pursued in reference to the rapt tracts of Native Land, lying unworked and unprofitable in this North Island. The subject is of such grave importance to the North portion of the Colony as to demand instant but careful action. It is our one saving clause in the settlement of matters between ourselves and the. south. The settlement of this great tract of native country is the means by which we can equalise matters witn our more fortun&te Southern brethren. It means population and consequent increase.?! representative power in the House, It means wealth of all kinds, and is worth all the political nostrums in the world — Separation included — to give life and health to the mmh neglected North. Oar views on so important a matter cannot well be expressed within the limits of a newspaper article; we can do no more than bint the direction we believe legislation should take. We cannot afford to indulge in jeremiads over the necessity of the withdrawal of the Government from land parchasing after the fashion of a leader which appeared in that badly " balanced " paper the Wanganui Herald, on the 22nd ultimo. We cannot with that heav/ and lugubrious organ admit that the " whole of the interior is to be monopolised by a few sheop and cattle runs," and that " monopoly and speculation will no donbt rejoice, for these elements alone will have any play when the Government purchases are abandoned." If the heaven.born financier who rules the destinies of that journalistic star can see co middle course between Governmeat monopoly of purchase* and the abandonment of the field without reserve to large monopolists, we can. We cannot afford to weep and wring our hands over what a hard necessity compels os to do, but would prefer to gird up onr loins and hammer out some plan which would most efficiently counteract the danger with which we may possibly be threatened. First, let us insist on a new Native Land Act next session ; let this be distributed at the earliest possible moment, so that ths fullest opportunity may be given to all to criticise and assist in amending it. It should contain two principles. First, that any Court that may be established for the purpose of individaalisation of native titles shall be entirely removed from Government or any othor political influences, in order that confidence in its operations may be restored to the mind of the natives; and secondly, while recognising the undoubted right of the natives to dispose of their land as they think fit it should be distinctly understood that the Government consider the land when acquired from the natives by private persons as being saddled with special liabilities and duties to the State in respect of holding it in large blocks antf settle, ments. It is quite within tfee bounds of possibility, that measures may be devised which will carry out this principle, and absolutely prevent the holding by private persons in large blocks any of the native hud ia ti& North Island. We shall devote space in another issuo to pointing out two ways by which this may be accomplished-

We hare been favoured with a perusal of a telegram from Wellington addressed to the Members for Waikato and Waipa, in reference to various matters affecting both districts,

Of the authoritative uature of the telegram there can be no doubt, and we are glad to perceive that the Go* vernuoenb intend to bo active and energetic in the prosecution of the various works authorised by Parliament. We wonld particularly refer to the Cambridge and Rotorua road, which perhaps partakes more of the nature of a colonial than of a local work. The telegram to which we refer states that " Instructions have been given t« the Engineer in charge of North Island to proceed at once with the Cambridge ai»d Rotorua road, and as the Constabulary can be spared, they will be employed upon this woik.", This news will be welcome to the Cambridge people, whose town will no doubt be the starting-place for tourists en route fot the wondrous Lake district, and will thus possess an importance which its geographical position has long since shewn to practical minds that it must eventually occupy. It will bo .veil that the people should still press on with the meeting which is to be Held this afternoon, but they will doubtless not fail to recognise the energy of their representative Mr J. B. Whyte, which has so materially lightened their burdens. The Waikato railway bridge at Hamilton may now be regarded as an accomplished fact, as tenders will be called for as soon as plans can be got ready and for the Waipa bridge at Whatawhata for which Parliament voted £4000, and instructions have been given to push on all of the matters which require the attention of the authorities. It is certainly satisfactory to find so much energy displayed by the new Minister for Public Works, where formerly all was stagnation and apathy.

That an Empire numbering some 40 millions should suddenly rise in the heart of Europe without causing intense feelings of jealousy amongst the neighboring nations was more than could be expected. The defeat of the French armies aud capture of Paris, enabled the Germans to consolidate the Empire, which bad been the dream of its people for centuries, the fair lands bordering on the Rhine being no longer the battlefield of rival nations whose aim and policy has always been to create dissension amongst the petty Kings and Princes whioh constituted the Germania of old — filching as opportunity offered, some fair province from its people ; two provinces that formerly belonged to Germany were re-conquered, although they had beeu for over a century under French sway. To regain these provinces is the avowed determination of the French people. Prince Bismarck, when he called together the most eminent financiers of Germany, thought they had recommended a fine sufficiently heavy, and which was imposed on their vanquished fees, to deter them from troubling the peace of Europe for many a year ; but the remarkable vitality of France was equal to the occasion — the indemnity vas paid off one and a-half year before the named time, and France was enabled again to look Europe in the face. There is but one nation in Europe which could materially assist the French in their designs, and that nation is Russia ; consequently from time to time vague reports have been circulated of an understanding between them. One thing is certain, in the year 1875 The Times' correspondent at Paris discovered that Germany, utterly confounded by the way in which France had paid off the indemuity, and was fact remodelling her army, determined on an aggressive war ere French preparations were complete. Paris was ignorant of the tact. Yet the event proved correct, and the Emperor of Russia hastened to Berlin, and by his personal influence with the Emperor of Germany, averted the intended onslaught. Since that time a feeling of friendship between the two nations has been gaining ground, which was evinced during the Bsrlin conference. Seeing therefore that the time was not far distant when these two nations might unite to dispoil Germany, Prince Bismarck had for some time past been trying to strengthen his position, fortunately for himself and his nation, a complete understanding was arrived at with Austria. The alliance with that power has not only materially increased tho strength of Germany, but has absolutely put the coping stone to the edifice he had so carefully laboured to construct. The embittered state of the feelings between Germany and Russia ' has been for months past telegraphed to tiiis colony, and we know also that the latter power has been for some time past, concentrating forces in Poland, which are stated to uumber 350,000 men. The absurd j reason given for assembling such an army on the frontiers of Germany has not had the effect of hoodwinking the astute chancellor, who is now stated to have informed Russia that b,e will not permit the peace with Aiistpia to be broken. It is not rasSQnsi>le to suppose that Russia would single-handed enter into a contest with united Austria and Germany, she must consequently feel assured of French assistance. The question therefore may be asfcecj, what is the cause, which has brought about tfris state of irritation between the two coootriea, which the (iennan papers state to be wost dangerous 1 There can be but one answer, namely, that the alliance lately concluded between tlje Ger. '

man Emperors has nullified the great war lately undertaken against the Turks : the Aojtrians, thereby barring the way to Constantinople. We may yet look further for another cause : The Nihilist conspiracy has takea a deep hold on the Slnvonion part of the Rusian Empire ; The army is also stated to be deeply imbued with its teuets ; the recent attacks on the Emperor's life having caused a complete revulaiOn in his mind, as regards the liberal policy lately inaugurated, and it is believed that war would unite the bonds of fidelity lately shaken, more securely than anything else when once the safety of Holy Russia is endangered; It is not difficult therefore to see, that s >me combination has bepn started to further the vie^s of France against Germany, and Russia ao-ainsfc Austria, which will le*d to a European war; in proof of which we have Prince Bismark's complaints to the British Government of the intrigues of General Chanssy, the French Ambassador at S>. Petersburg, and as a Russian war against Austria, must mean war with Germany, into which Italy may be drawn, wo shall fiud that the conflict will encircle the entire old Germanic confederation. Surely, if Germany is attacked both on ils western and eastern frontiers, the Austrian alliance is most indispensible, for we have but to look at her eastern position which stretches from the Baltic Sea to Moravia in Austria, to see that it is one immense plain, offering no ph>sical obstructions to the huge forces which Russia would bring to bear againsi her, It is true that in Silesia the Oder is guarded by strong fortified towns, such as Bres. lav and Glogan; also, that Thorn and Posen, in the province of the same name, have of late years been made into strong fortified positions ; but, when we take into consideration that Berlin, the capital of Prussia, is barely 200 miles distant from the Polish frontier, the weakness of the position becomes apparent, the more so if the map is consulted, for it will be found that the kingdom of Poland stretches into Germany in ' the shape of a hugh bastion, and that the Vistula, which runs through West Prussia, separating a portion of that province and East Prussia from Germany, which would have to be guarded at all hazards entailing a vast number of men, ! weakening materially the armies destined to meet the onslaught of the French on the Rhine. In fact, the situation of Frederick the Great, at the time of the Battle of Kunersdorf, might easily be reproduced. But the Austrian alliance abso- ! lately turns their weak positions into strength, as the Anstrians would operate on the right bank of the Vistula to the River Bug, taking in rear any army daring to penetrate Germany ; in fact, the Russian force in Poland would be fighting with a halter round their necks, boing, as it were, surrounded on three side 3, so that it is inconceivable that an aggressive war on the part of Russia can take place, as the kingdom of Poland would most infallibly be torn from her soaptre in case of reserve. It may be, however, that she considers her ehanc-s more than counterpoise for the disadvantages, and that the Slavonian province of Gallicia, which contains thousands of followers of the Greek Church, lays within her grasp, \ n w hioh case hei frontiers would be advanced to the Carpathian Mountains, making her the mistress of the destinies of the south-western portion of Europe, and as this can only be brought about by an intimate alliance with France, there may be some probability in tho rumours current with respect to a European war being imminent. It is these facts which have brought about the AustrioGermany alliance.

We draw the attention of His "Worship the Mayor and Borough Councillors to the unsafe state of the footpath bofrvyeen the Waikato Times Buildings and MrVia* lou' s premises. Unless filling in is undertaken before winter it will be absolutely unsafe for ladies and children to walk that aide of the street after dark. We are given to understand that a misunderstanding exists bctweon Mr Vialou and the Borough Council as to whether he or the Council bhould execute the necessary filling in. On the merita of the case ire are not prepared to enter just now, but the fact remains that while the authorities and Mr Vialou "agree to differ" a portion of a leading thoroughfare is in a disgraceful condition, and the burgesses suffering under an eyesore. H. W. Northcroft, Esq., R.M., held a sitting of the R.M. Court, Cambridge, on Friday last, when one case of assault and several small debt cases were disposed of. Wk observe that Mr S. Edward Smith is appointed travelling reporter for this journal. This step has been taken with a view of enabling general local natters to be brought more prominently under public criticism, and in the hope that settlers will avail themselves of the opportunities so offered to ventilate items of farming interest in our columns. At the Annual meeting of the Householders in the Rangiohia School District, the Secretary of the School committee wa« feaueated to convey to Mr P. A. Whitaker J&C.TJ.R. the cordial jthanks of the residents for the steps taken by him in securing allotment 2Jo. IH Parish of Eunux for school purposes. Several sales of suburban lota ai Claudelands have been effected during the last few days, at prices ranging from £30 to £40 per acre. With the extension of the railway to the Piako, and having regard to the natural fertility of the soil, we fe'aye ny doubt that the investment will prove highly jreq;iinergsye. We understand that the "Waikafcp Handbook " is in the hands of tho binders,

and it is hoped will be ready for ciroula- j tion early next week. Mrßartleet Lang- ! bridge, the compiler, informs us that he has refused several liberal offers from large landed proprietors to insert at the end of the " Handbook" advertisements regarding spocial small settlement^ iv various parts of the oolony, which it is intended to form by cutting up large properties and disposing of the sections under the deferred payment system. Mr Langbridge has also, we believe, been so true to the interests of Waikato that he has refrained from taking any shipping advertisements Tiaving reference to the Tauranga route to the Hot Lakes. In so acting, Mr Langbridge ha* shown a great regard for the interests of this district, and his disinterestertne-b will doubtless commend itself to U.iikat.) settlers. The Committeo of tho Orphan Home, Parnell, desiro through our columns to thank the teachers and parishioners of St. Andrew's, Cambridge, -for their very welcome and liberal present of buns, cakes, fruit, &0., the residue of tho school feast, which was kindly delivered at the Home frco of charge, and was quickly disposed of by the youngsters. We would draw attention to the special sale of cattle, to be held at Ohaupo, by Messrs Hunter and Nolan on Thursday next, when a large number of well-bred two and a-half and three-year-old steers and other mixed store cattle will be offered for sale.

Tendbbb for the erection of a residence near Alexandra, plans of which can be seen at the Waikato Times Office, will be received by Messrs R. Keals and Son, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, until to-morrow. A meeting of the ratepayers of the Kirikiriroa Highway District will be held at the Koyal Howl, Hamilton East, tomorrow afternoon, for the purpose of electing a Road Board Trustee in the place of the late Mr Peter Walker.

Tendees for constructing a drain, some 70 chains more or less, dimensions of which are specified in the advertisement elsewhere, will be received by Mr Cowan and Mr Hutchinson up to Saturday next. Ax Assessment Court for the Borough of Hamilton will be held at the Courthouse, Hamilton, at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, the 25th inst. Mr J. S. Buckland's next Cambridge cattle sale takes place to-day, when a number of superior cattle will be offered. A sheep fair will also be held at the same time and place.

The weather for the past few weeks has been of 'a. nature highly favourable to harvest operations, and the crops in nearly all parts of the district have been safely gathered in. In some parts farmers have already commenced thrashing. The yield promises to be of a very encouraging nature, but the severe character af the high winds in the early part of last month has left its mark on those of a later sowing.

Thb work of altering and improving Leslie's catting, on the Cambridge Road, is progressing satisfactorily, it has assumed the appearance of considerable magnitude, and should result in conferring a great boon upon the travelling public. The Hero has brought over from Sydney some thoroughbred Clydesdales for Messrs Maclean and Co. — a stallion and three brood mares. They arrived in Hamilton yesterday by the midday train, and were taken on by the grooms the same afternoon to Fen Court. The horse, Blair Athol, is rising three years old, a large i showy animal, witt good bone, and of a dark brown colour, and was bred by, and purchased froai, Lord Dunmore, of Stirlingshire. There were three mares, all I likely - looking beasts, one of which (Myrtle), however, had to be left behind I at the farm at Penrose, having been ■slightly lamed on the voyage. The other twer mares are Lady Augusta, a dark brown, and a bay mare Maus Heddrick.

The Rotobua. Road. —We would remind our Cambridge friends, though perhaps there ia liitle need to do that, for Cambridge is ever to the front and united when her interests are at stake, that the public meeting called for the purpose of urging upon the Government the desirability of at once vigorously proceeding with the construction of the Cambridge and Rotorua road, takes place in the Public Hall, Cambridge, at 4 p.m. to-day.

Volu.vteek Pajude. -- The Hamilton Light Infantry Corps met for parade drill on Sydney Square, East Hamilton, on .Saturday afternoon last. There were S'-i of all ranks present, including Capt. Dawson, Lieut. O'Neill, and Sergft. -Major Warren. The corps was marched down to the butts for rifle practice ; the scores, however, were far from being up to the average, and we would earnestly reeomraeud the members Qf this Volunteer company to attend regularly to both drill and target practice if they wish to figure creditably in any future Volunteer display, such a3 that which took place in Waikato last Easter, daring the visit of the Thames companies. On Saturday morning a deputation of the electors of City 'West district waited on Mi? Hurst iv his store, Queen-street, for the purpose of presenting a requisition signed by 300 of the constituency, of which the following is a copy : — " We, the undersigned electors of City of Auckland West, being anxious to hear your account of the proceedings of the late session of Parliament, and more especially to be informed of the reasons which you considered to be sufljeient to justify you in transfering your support fj?om the Opposition to the Government party, beg to request that you will take an early oppor- J tunity of convening and addressing a meeting of your constituents. The important step which you deemed [t neoes» aary to take has been so variously represented that we are impatient to hear your personal explanation ; and as a number of your consitueuts, in accordance with the request you forwarded from Wellington, have retrain* . from maturing their opinion on the matter, we hope that you will at once call the electors together." The deputation consisted of Messrs Thompson, Fleming, 0. GL Ifiil, Bfajqr, Dunningham, Mason (brothers), Knight, Andrews, Thwaites, Foley, W. Leys, and Blades. Mr Hurst failed to state definitely whether he proposes convening a meeting oi hfc qpn^jbituents or not, We remind our readers that the Qddfellows' ball comes off on Friday, the 6th instant. We understand that Mr McOormisli's band from Auckland is engaged. Mr John Knox will sell by auction on Monday next, the 9thinst., at Kirkwoods Hotel, l?y order of the trustee in the insolvent estate Qf C. E. S. fiose, the interest of insolvent in allotment S§V, Diike-sLrgQt, Cambridge. On Saturday afternoon, Mr. F. A. Whitaker entertained his late election Committee, and a number of his political supporters to a luncheon at Pearce's Hotel, about twenty-five gentlemen sat down to table. After having done ample justice to the excellent luncheon provided by Host .Fearce, the chairman proposed the health of his Committee, and warmly tliankes those jpresent for the heartiness of tteir support; 'Mi\ Mdrurf in returning thanks, saia thajL the'Comniitte&"'wel-B proud of the action taken by iheii- Member, and in turn proposed his health^ which was enthusiastically drank. He said her hair was dyed, and when she indignantly exclaimed, ." 'Tis falso !" he said he presumei so# — « Boßtoo Post/ 1 I