The Evening Star. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1869.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2026, 2 November 1869, Page 2

The Evening Star. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1869.

The European intelligence received yesterday contains much that is deeply interesting to the Australasian Colonies. It is plain that in the Old World, industry, that received so rude a shock two years ago, is recovering; demand for raw material is reviving, and, as a consequence, prices are rising. Although, as yet, there is an important difference between the present prices and those that once ruled, the change will be sensibly felt in the actual returns received for consignments ; but more in the renewal of confidence throughout the Colonies. The brief intimation given that the supply of cotton will fall short of the demand will aid the upward tendency of wool, and thus, so far as the prospects of trade arc concerned, the gloom that has hung so long over the world is passing away. It is a great pity that international politics have so much influence upon the prosperity of nations. Were it possible to dissociate them from trade and industry, so that the latter could be followed irrespective of Government meddling and the change of dynasties, the future might bo looked forward to without apprehension. But since their union is, for the present at least, indissoluble, the black spot on the horizon is the failing health of Napoleon. At one time a change in the Imperial mind of Russia was looked forward to as fraught with good or evil to the civilised world. This danger

seems passing away. Man’s conquest over time and space have rendered the Eastern quarrel of less importance than of old, and Russia’s advances in Asia have proved how idle it was to attempt to check her approaches to our Indian Empire. Time will show how little danger was to be apprehended from them. But the case is different with Napoleon. His death is looked forward to before his son arrives at mature age, as the signal for renewed disturbances in France. The wise practice adopted in Europe, since the peace of 1815, of leaving nations to work out their own institutions, will secure the country from foreign interference, But no nation can now suffer alone. So intimately is each civilised country dependent upon the other for prosperity, that disorder in one means cessation of demand in another. Napoleon, by his tact and concentration of power, has raised France to a degree of prosperity never before attained. But there are aspirants to the throne who would not hesitate to plunge the country into chaos to gain it. Recent events shew that there are agencies suppressed but slumbering, ready to burst into energy whenever the strong man that has overmastered them dies. For the world’s prosperity, so far as human foresight can predict, it is to be desired that he may live and retain his faculties sonic few years more ; by which time I ranee s tottering institutions may have become strengthened, and many of the turbulent spirits, still smarting from defeat, will have lost their influence, become interested in retaining things as they, are, or have passed away. The wide spread alarm respecting the effect of the Emperor’s illness shows how generally these truths are entertained in Europe. The newspapers of Great Britain are amusing themselves with speculations about the relations between the Mother Country and her Colonies. There can be no objection to this, as it will bring them more prominently and constantly before the minds of those who intend to emigrate. There is something exceedingly whimsical in the satisfaction expressed by the Daily Times this morning at the dictum of the London Times, that the only correct solution is “ Separation and independence.” When it is remembered that the Daily Times during the last few months has been hurling its imitation thunders at the British journals for being so hardhearted as to refuse a few regiments of English troops to put down three or four hundred insurgent Maoris, one cannot but wonder at the exultant tone with which the idea is received of cutting a connection that renders such aid impossible. That the Colonies require placing in a differentrelationship to old world nations than that in which they have hitherto stood is undeniable; but that consists principally on their being freed from liabilities to plunder in'time of war. From time to time some of the advantages of connection with England crop out. Three or four years agohad there been no ultimate referee, Victoria and New South Wales would have gone to war about the border duties. But because they were both subjects of Britain they could not. Many matters are referred or referable to the Privy Council for decision that would otherwise be sources of disorder. Democracy is yet too young and liable to blunders to be left altogether free. The present race of Colonial statesmen must be replaced with others freed from Old World notions and identified wholly with Colonial institutions before the Colonies are ripe for independence. We know that some enthusiasts would place themselves under protection of the United States, with the idea that they would gain by it. For ourselves we are bettor content to retain our connection with Britain ; nor do we think there is much chance of its being severed. Notwithstanding the doleful tales sent Home of Maori troubles, sufficient confidence is felt in our vitality to induce capitalists to invest money with us. While our population has been dawdling about constructing a Port Chalmers Railway, fearing that it would not pay, and asking all sorts of additional guarantees, the prospect of eight per cent, on tlje security of the Provincial Government is held sufficient inducement for investment at Home. Those amongst us who have timidly held back may now feel encouraged to proceed. At any rate, if they “ dare not climb ” through their “ fear to fall,” the Province may, in the spirit of Queen Elizabeth, reply : “ If your heart fail you, “ Climb “ not at all.” The Province would be no loser, although an opportunity for profitable investment would be lost to the community through letting an English Company do the work.