The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 1888.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2487, 19 June 1888, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 1888.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

Frederick 111, the uncrowuecl Kaiser of Germany, expired on Friday morning at eleven o'clock, from the effects of a painful and lingering malady which he had borne with heroic fortitude and calm resignation. Although the end was long seen to be inevitable, and was only staved off through the untiring efforts and scientific skill of his medical attendants, nevertheless the news of the death of the brave warrior Ims filled the whole civilised world with deep sorrow. The close racial and domestic alliance which bind the German nation to our own, will impel the Anglo-Saxons of the British Kmpire to show towards their kindred a genuine sympathy with them in their national loss and grief which has come so closely upon that caused by the demise of the late venerable Emperor Wilhelm. We can also extend our deepest condolence to the British Princess, the devoted wife, who occupied her post of duty by the. side of her dying husband to the last. The removal of Frederick 111 from the councils of tho nations of Europe, will, probably, be fraught with great political and international changes that may entail upon the people of the European continent great sufferings and many horrors. The late Emperor was a man of peace, resolved to do his duty to humanity, and to strain every nerve to avoid the great conflict amongst the powerful neighbours that surround his country and for which the armed hosts have been long assembled and ready. Erederiek was anxious to effect many constitutional reforms in the Empire over which he was destined to reign for but a brief period, in which he was supported by his courageous English wife, the Empress, in defiance of the mighty opposition that confronted them. It is hard for a nation to lose an enlightened and large-hearted ruler at any period of its history ; but it is tenfold more so with Germany at the present time when she has to deplore the loss of a man like Frederick, who gave such large promises, had his life been spared a few years longer, of bestowing upon his people a fuller measure of the blessings of political progress and constitutional liberty, with freedom from despotic militarism, and the horrible dread and actuality of war which accompany the latter. England has also lost a son and warm friend in Frederick Jl I. -His eldest son and successor Wilhelm, who now occupies his fathers' vacant throne, fills all Europe with uncertainty. Conflicting accounts have been circulated abroad regarding his disposition and policy. The feeling seems general that he will be the antithesis of his good and noble father, and that he will fall in with the bellicose policy of the Iron Chancellor. It is feared that tho new Kaiser will seek to reliovo Germany of the strain upon lier resources and vigilance caused by tho menacing attitude of tlie Powers, by at once throwing down the guago to llussia or France, and plunging Europe into a fearful war. It is to be hoped these predictions may be falsified, and that, as hitherto, wise councils may prevail to preserve peaco. Whichever turn events ■nay take, it is certain that tho death of Frederick 111. and the ascension of Wilhelm fill tho mind of Europe, and also the Antipodes, with apprehension.

There has been a very considerable revival of the native flax industry throughout the colony. In the Raglan district there has been great activity for some time, and at the present moment ; as many as eight mills are in operation in the ! : district, giving employment to a large number of hands. The etfeot of this lias been a much-desired local trade circles, an increased value given to land with fair demand for suitable sites for occupation, and a generally healthier aspect to the whole settlement. In the Wanganui districts the new impetus in the flax trade, in such placcs where full attention has been devoted to it, has entirely driven away the depression. Ready money is plentiful, business people are ■letive and in capital spirits, and settlement is improving. At Foxton there are already no less than ten mills at work. There is, we believe, an unsatisfied demand for flax. In Auckland local firms have contracted for supplies at £17 and £18 per ton for the fibre, and it is anticipated that the price in the Home market will rise considerably, particularly in the event of a European war. In view of these facts, and in the scarcity of employment, or any other payable industry in the Waikato to induce our population lo remain with U3, it is passing strange that there are uut people here with enterprise enough to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them to start flax mills, or otherwise engage iu the iudustry. The mills on the Lower Waikato River, at Churchill, offer a market for the raw material iu any quantity, which can bo conveyed there by steamer. Tim swamps which cover such largo portions of the Waikato and Waipa basins a fiord an unlimited supply of the native flax, and wo should imagine that there is here presented, in one shape or another, very good inducements for the reproductive investment of small capital, and the employment of a large amount of unemployed labour.

tcmplatcd tri-weekly train service. About GO were present, and Mr John Fisher was voted to the chair, After considerable discussion, a resolution was carried on the motion of Mr Gane, seconded by Mr Windsor, that the settlers would cheerfully submit to any necessary retrenchment in the matter of railway reform, provided Cambridge anil Te Awamutu could have a train service on Mondays and Wednesdays, so that stock and produce could be forwarded to the Auckland sales. A copy of the resolution is to be forwarded to Mr Hudson, the traffic manager. It is satisfactory to find that in the opinions we expressed on this subject in a recent leader, we correctly guaged the feelings of the public : and it is, moreover, creditable to our community that they view rightly the critical position of the colony a3 a whole, and are prepared to sink all selfish interests or localisms for the common good of the country.