The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Or whatever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, FEb. 14, 1891.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2900, 14 February 1891, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Or whatever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, FEb. 14, 1891.

l.'uicu:; is at the present time a "•rent eagerness amongst European Powers, "o extend their respective dominions I>v the annexation of new territory and colonising' uncivilised Irads ot country. _ This desire for colonisation has arisen no doubt from the increase of poa-er and wealth, which has been gained bv countries possessed of prosperous colonial possessions. The power and »v..'allU of Knghuid has been increased to an enormous extent by the rapid progress ol her colonies. The expansion of colonial trade, the , new Holds of usefulness and iuduslry thrown open to the surplus iHioulation at homo and tlio prestige and influence which are alwa vs coincident with the possesI sion' of wealth have raised the l'.i'itish Kmpire to a [i.naele of unparallelled greatni'-s. UraeL' nations have not been slow v> mark the reason of this prog;-.-* and are now ln'.-'euing ris t:iv us they can to imitate her example. Expel ience has showily that: peculiar functions of organisation arc neeossarv to effectually colonise countries occupied by the barbarous and uncivilised races of mankind. Many of the highly cultured nations of iho world, who are prosperous and industrious in their own country and possess in a large deo-ree the functions of organisation and "ovoniHient. fail signally as colonisers. This is especially true

:j tli" (;!-1"111 '111 <. 'I'll" 11"w condi i in of affairs existing in uncivilised uii'l the required i, dealing with tho native po]>uhiiou. :t|>;>"ai' to bo lacking- in the ;or111;111 character. J It" old c>l f " m-inL' power of and Portugal ilthouuh possessed of daring and [■lltorpri-<■ have failed in holding ji-rniiiacn! possession of tli"ir eon•mests. Th l ' policy of these eouniries in dealing with barbarous races lias tivor boon one of violence and no regard has been paid to tho claims and feelings of tho conquered- Tho Spaniards have always intermingled with t'.iecoloured na/ions with whom tlioy have come in contact. Instead of raising the savago to a higher standard of living. they havo themselves deteriorated and fallen in tho social scale. The on the contrary, by a lirni but yet equitable policy of dealing with tho rudo occupiers of tho soil, has gained a permanent hold in the country and l>v forco of forbearance and justice, far more than by forco of arms, has subjugated tho savage mind. Wo are far from saying that mistakes have never been made in tho schemr s of Euglish colonisation, many evidences in the history of our own colony bear witness to tho contrary. What we do contest is, that the English principle ot colonization has been tho most effectual and lasting one. Africa is now the held of enterprise, on which hungry eyes are crast. Recent explorations in Central Africa havo laid open to the public gaze what was formorly an unknown land. While iu time past, more favoured spots have attracted tho attention of the adventurous and enterprising, African territory remained practically unnoticed. But the field for colonization has gradually diminished and Africa now presents the only available extent of country open for European acquisitions^ The Portuguese, Italians and French are scrambling eagerly for the territory on the East Coast, and complications have already arisen in connection with the claims of the contending parties. So far there has been little said about the large waste in the region of the Congo, no doubt on account of the wildness of the country, and the difliculty in obtaining access to it. But even this country will ere long be in request, and the forest land untouched for Ages will have to yield to th«> march of civilisation. The contribution of wealth from Central and Eastern Africa in the slnpa of tropical products, ivory, minerals and other commodities will be a very considerable one in the near future. The days of obscurity of Central Africa are numbered, and its occupation by European authority is assured. England has not bestirred herself to any great extent in this matter, but in the final and permanent occupation of the country, there can be lit tie doubt, that she will occupy a prominent position. The failure of the other Powers will be England's opportunity. Her colonizing power, which has been displayed in other parts of the world, will re-appear in Africa. The British dominions, already the most wide spread of any empire in the world's history, will probably embrace the larger portion of the vast extent of country now lying waste in Central Africa.