The Star. [PUBLISHED DAILY] FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29,1893.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 2542, 29 September 1893, Page 2

The Star. [PUBLISHED DAILY] FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1893.

THE WEEK.

The week has been more than sufficiently full of horrors. The sinking of the Russian war vessel with a loss of over 170 officers and men, the apparently deliberate scuttling of the Haytictn man-of-war when conveying consuls to arrange some political matters — quite in keeping with tha ferocity of Haytian methods ; fatal theatre fire at Illinois with ten lives lost ; railway collision Indiana, 12 persons killed ; conflict with train robbers in Kansas, when several lives were lost ; massacre at the New Hebrides ; dynamite outrage in Spain ; sad havoc wrought at Rio by the rebellion ; and the Carcoar affair, together with a pretty big number of ordinary fatalities, make up a black list of a length which happily is seldom recorded within one week.

The Brazilian Eepubiic, rejoicing under the title of the United States of Brazil, has not had a very long reign of peace. It i 8 barely three years ago since the monarchy, or rather empire, which had apparently worked well, and under which great progress had certainly been made, was overturned, and the country placed under the Presidency of General Fonseca. The Emperor and his family were not badly treated, being given money and shipped off to Europe, and the Emperor in return politely intimated that if at any time again wanted, he would be most happy to place his services at the command of the people. Nevertheless Dom Pedro did not long survive the loss of his Empire, dying within a year. The countries in South America have not yet learnt the art of self-government, and whether the ruler be called President or King or Emperor he must have sufficient force of character, and force of arms also, to compel obedience to his will or "go under " and give someone else a turn. Brazil is wonderfully productive and far more advanced than is generally supposed. With its railways nearly 6000 miles in length, telegraphs 8000 miles, an expenditure of over thirty millions annually, and a public debt of the respectable proportion B of some hundred and fifty millions, Brazil occupies an important position in the world, and with settled government would become a' still greater power. The bombardment and fighting at Rio ha» been severe, and evidently enormous damage has been done. There was a rumour of an impending revolution in the Argentine, but nothing further has been heard of that. As one ot the colonies' most active competitors in the British meat and wool market its internal troubles would engage more attention here than those of Brazil.

The surprise which was created by the nomination o£ Sir Henry JNorman to be Governor-General of India has been forgotten in the greater surprise of his refusal of the post. And as one or two names have been mentioned, and Lord Croiner has also refused nomination, it woull appear that the Imperial Government are in a difficulty in respect of filling the office, and that more than likely we shall before long hear of a renewal of tbe old controversy about the principles which are to rule in Indian policy.

The nomination of Sir Henry Norman was evidently of great political significance. It has beeu pointed out in an article in the Melbourne Argus that after the Afghan war in 1880-1, Lord Roberts, Sir Donald Stewart, and Sir Henry Norman each advocated a separate policy : (i) The I plan of Lord Roberta was to hold and fortify Oouth-eastorn Afghanistan, including Candahar, detaching that place and district from the Afghan rule, and forming there an entrenched camp from which offensive operations could be taken against any invader ; (2) the plan of General Sir Donald Stewart to be ready to adopt IJord Koberta' policy without any present invasion of Afghan ; and (3) the p/an of air Henry Norman to retire absolutely within old lines, and to give up any idea of occupying new territory either in Booluchistan or Afghanistan. The two first feared Russian invasion; the last ridiculed it as a contingency too remote to be thought of. After much controversy the Government of that day stated that its final and deliberate resolution was to defend India., not by acquiring strategic positions at a greater or leas distance from the frontier nor by competing with any other power (Russia) for influence in Central Asia, but by developing the resources, increasing the riches, and perfecting the army in India. In fact Sir Henry Worman's policy was adopted without reserve Since then Lord Roberts, as Cominander-in-Cbief, has to a considerable extent carried out, if not bia scheme, at anyrate that of General Stewart; and bad he been made Governor-General would probably have required a free hand to go further, but a Gladstone Government is agannn power, and tbe old policy has the ascendancy. Naturally, Sir Henry Norman was ft desirable maa to be entrusted with the working of Jit. However, for reasons which have been variously interpreted by those who are authorities, he has declined office,

and, apparently, Ministers have a difficulty m finding a man who has tbe necessary experience and prestige to represent their views.

Yictoeia made a very bold move in applying for a loan, but her boldness has been successful. Certainly the price is low, 96 for four per cents — New Zealand 4 per cents now being quoted at 105^ — and, moreover, we are told that there was some little finesse ; but granting these things to be so the over subscription of the loan is a surprise not only to her neighbours but to herself if the jubilant tone of self congratulation be an evidence of Victoria's feelings. Think of the enormous disadvantages under which the loan was asked for : public finance utterly disorganised, commerce in a state of collapse, nearly every financial institution shaken to its base, and the prospect of very exhausting and depressing demands being made for some years to come to supply the necessary fund 8 for carrying out the various re-construction schemes, and superadded to all this a comparatively weak export trade owing to the protectionist policy of the past. These things were all made wellknown to the British public, as witness an article in the Nineteenth Century as recently as July by Mr Fortescue, who rigorously exposed every weakness. In spite of all the British capitalist took up the loan. It will have a very good effect in giving renewed tone" and confidence to Australians, and it will indirectly be of vaiue to New Zealand. The crimson thread of kinship we are told unites the colonies ; that may be merely a pretty phrase, but there is intense sympathy between them financially. There cannot be dear money in Australia long without tightness becoming appreciable in New Zealand, and anything which relieves the position on the other Bide will have a beneficent influence in New Zealand. The Victorian Premier talks optimistically of another boom ; that is far off we believe, we were going to say we hope ; but may be the corner has been turned, the crisis passed, and, if so, recuperation may be rapid.

The Legislative Council has been busy this week, and in addition to drawing the compulsory clause of the Arbitration and Concilitation Bill has thrown out the Shops and Shop Assistants Bill, and has entirely changed the character of the Eailways Bill. Instead of the last mentioned carryingfout the Government proposal it simply gives power to continue Commissioners in office until the people, through the new Parliament, have expressed their will on the future of railway management. Quite the proper course has been taken. If the desire of the people be for a change such as that proposed by the Government, or for any other, that desire will be given effect to ; and certainly no great harm can come of a delay of a few months. The Shops and Shop Assistants Bill went much too far in interfering with the liberty of the subject, and would have worked hardly on many shopkeepers, especially of the smaller class in the cities. A moderate bill securing fair opportunity of relaxation to ass'stants might have been got through, but striving for too much the Minister of Lahor has got nothing. The present Act. however, we assume Btands. It would appear as if Ministers are not much better off in regard to passing their extreme measures now than they were before tbe twelve new additions. It is curiously argued that this justifies their action by showing that they did not swnmp the Council and had no desire to do so. On the other hand, may it not be observed that if as much couLl be got fiom the old Council as tbe Dew one the salaries oE the twelve fresh appointees represents so much money wasted ?

As the time is so short for registration on the electoral rolls we a?aiu remind persons who have not sent in claims of the advisability of their doing so at once. In regard to women the Government are making a special effort to get them on the roll' by sending forms of claims round to houses. This is being done in other parts of the colony and is to be done here also, the registrar, we understand, having received instructions to do so. As previously urged, whether women are or are not in favor of the principle which has been put on the Statute book, the fact remains that the Act is there, and responsibility resfs on each woman whether she votes or whether she does not. Abstaining trom registration will not affect the law, and the power to vote may be desired when election day arrives. Therefore it is safest and best to register.