The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state, or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1887.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2295, 26 March 1887, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state, or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1887.

On the 20tli of June next Her Majesty the Queen will have completed the fiftieth year of her beneficent reign. In all parts of her wide dominions the subjects of the Queen are busily devising means for celebrating the event in a manner befitting its importance. It is not at all remarkable that such should be the case. For the last haif-century the subjects of the British Empire, expanding its area and increasing its population the while, have never omitted to keep, holiday on the gracious Lady's birthday anniversary, and it would be strange indeed if we did not regard with greater rejoicing the day of her Jubilee.

No other reign lias been marked by the occurrence of so many important events. Steam and electricity were discovered before Victoria ascended the throne, and newspapers had been printed long before, but it is during the last five decades that these mighty powers have been developed. The fleet express train, the mighty ocean palaces, the electric girdle round the globe, the free and enlightened Press, the penny post, and a host of other boons, were simply undreamt of fifty years ago. Who was there then who could have looked forward through the mists of time and seen the mighty political changes, the enfranchisement of the people, the vote by ballot and the extension of the blessings of education to the sons of the very lowest in the land ! Who then, could have foreseen that away in the distant Pacific were to arise within the span of the good Queen's life, lusty nations endowed with powers of self-government ! What exuberant' imagination could have pictured the leviathans of the deep carrying on the commerce of Britain among the coral reefs and spice islands of Polynesia, which in those days were the home, not of trade, but of romance and mystery! We ought to dwell ori these things, because we are apt to forget the blessings we enjoy. In keeping the Queen's J übilee, we are not the less signalising our appreciation of the wondrous benefits conferred upon the human race during these fifty years, a period which has been by far the most remarkable in the history of the British Islands.

And should not even Waikato endeavour its own humble way to add to the general jubilation 1 We think so. If our view be adopted there is little time to lose. It is a matter tlinfc the borough and county councils ought, in the first instance at any rate, to undertake, and we hope they will at once take the necessary steps. We should show that, remote as we are from the seat of empire, our hearts are as loyal as the best.