The Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLDFIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell: Tuesday, June 9, 1885.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XVII, Issue 843, 9 June 1885, Page 2

The Cromwell Argus, AND NORTHERN GOLDFIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell: Tuesday, June 9, 1885.

Whether the placing of the million and ahalf loan on the Loudon market just on the eve of Parliament meeting was a mere accident or by design, it i 3 certain that the unparalleled success it lias met with will be made the most of by Ministers. The Assembly opens on Thursday, and the being able to point to the highly favorable terms upon which the loan has been negotiated will certainly increase the confidence of the Government, and may even render more bold the policy they mean to enunciate. There is no doubt that a combination of circumstances had rendered the time opportune for obtaining money en more than usually advantageous terms, and to this may be attributed the colony's good fortune in getting such a high bid for its stock. That the loan was tendered for many times over may also be accepted as an undoubted assurance that Home capitalists have the fullest confidence in the resources of the colony and its ability to meet its financial engagements. This must be a source of satisfaction to all colonists, when it is remembered that New Zealand has of late had many detractors never weary of crying that the country was "going to the dogs." And not a few loudly averred that Sir Julius Vogel as a Minister in any JSew Zealand Cabinet would seriously injure our credit; and yet as a matter of fact the two loans raised since his advent as Colonial Treasurer last year have been obtained at better prices than any that preceded them. However much, then, fortuitoa3circumstances in financial circles at Home may have helped to the happy results in the loan just floated, it is only just to give a due modicum of credit to the Government for the wisdom they have displayed in placing it on the market at a fitting time and in an attractive form. Of course, adverse critics will ascribe the satisfactory issue to any cause but confidence in the Government, but all the

same the country will recognise that faith in the Administration has been an important factor in the success achieved.

If the information be true that the Ameer of Afghanistan has been murdered by his immediate attendants, the effect may be disastrous at the present time. But the story, coming from a Russian source, is not beyond doubt, and it is to be hoped that it may prove an invention. Recent events in Central Asia, however, give an air of probability to the rumor. It is easy to realise that the Afghans are not only disappointed that war has not followed the recent strife on their frontier, but are also bitterly enraged that the destruction of 500 of their countrymen by the Russians is to go unrevenged. The Ameer, Abdul Rahman, lias never been popular with his people, and was not set over the nation by their choice. His complacency at the great Durbar recently held at Rawal Pindi has doubtless led to the Ameer's destruction. He appears to have left that in the happiest frame of mind, highly gratified with the magnificent gifts and high distinctions conferred upon him by the Viceroy. No doubt many of his more influential followers inwardly condemned what in their eyes looked like condoning a breach of faith on the part of Great Britain in not resenting the Russian aggression. To the Afghan mind the simplest way to depose an objectionable ruler is to slay him, and it is to be feared the Ameer has fallen a victim to the intrigues of Russian agents and supporters of the imprisoned Ayoob Khan. If this be so, we may look foradisruptionin Afghanistan the end and ultimate issues of which it is difficult now to predict.