THE WEEK.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7382, 7 February 1902, Page 2

THE WEEK.

Having decided to treat only with the Boers in the field, it does not appear tbat any interest of Britain's could be served by allowing tho«e who have been fighting us with slander and lies in Europe to concert with those who are still in arms in the field. Britain's decision to deal only ia Africa is sound, for it may be remembered that Shalkburger was fully invested with power and Eruger received leave of absence, whilst Steyn in the eyes of tb.9 Boers still enjoys the mana which he has held from the first. Lord Lan3downe's objection to enter on a course which would entail three montb.3 frfrther suffering betokens a belief that prior to their expiration our arms in South Africa will be finally successful.

Lord KiTCHENicR lately informed the Tinea' correspondent that, failing in every instanoa to brinp the Boera to decisive action when in numbers, his policy now was first to break them up and then deal with the broken bodies in detail. Judging from late new?, such has also been the tactios of French in the Cape Colony, and both in that colony and the late republics, following on these lines, the British have been of late very successful.

By the formation of Imperial and colonial companies for the erection of cold storage in South Africa and the late declaration of contractors, the position of the colonies relative to the supply of meit is evidently improved. But it by no means follows that they would have enjoyed a look in had they not; displayed that attitude which is denounced as tyrannical by the Daily News. Neither has the matter been probed to the bottom, and our friends in Parliament promise further investigation. There are too many German names among the contractors to please Britons.

In regard to Chinese affairs, everything being fair and open the combination of Britain, America and Japan, strenuously insisting upon the maintenance of the trading privileges conferred by the Tientsin and subsidiary treaties, should be potent enough to defeat tbe territorial greed of Russia and the self-seeking of Germany in Shantung ; especially since the death of Li Hung-Chang.

Though in view of the closer political approach of Italy to France it may be expedient for Britian to assure the former of her continued friendly attitude by the withdrawal of the language proclamation in Malta, it is doubtful if the majority of the population of the island will consider this surrender wise or just. The inhabitants are of Arabic race tinged with Italian and Greek. Perhaps 2| per cent, speak Italian whilst the rest use a language chiefly Arabic, and acknowledged even by Italian and Greek authorities to be of Semitic and not of Latin type.

It is a curious coincidence that whilst Newfoundland is assuring the Imperial Government that she has renewed the vwdus vivendi as regazds the Frenoh shore, solely out of consideration for the preoccupation of the. Empire, two French lobster factories should be burned down. The French are not satisfied with the permission to fish and dry, they now claim the sole right to the exclusion of fhe British of catching lobsters and canning them. The modus vivendi provides for the maintenance of British men-o-war to protect the French, and keep off the British owners.

The announcement made by the Premier at the banquet to the commercial delegates now m Wellington in relation to the meat contraot will be received with gratification. It does not in itself amount to much, it is true, being merely a general promise on the part of contractors to do what may be possible in buying from Australia and New Zealand. But, at least, it shows that colonial views are weighed in the highest quarters, acd it is a very good indication that proposals for a trade relationship in which colonial products would receive preferential treatment, will be received and considered sympathetically.

It would seem by the figures quoted at the function refered to in the

previous paragraph that the balance of trade is likely to be somewhat heavily against New Zealand this year. The imports have continued to expand, and the exports to shrink, till the latter have fallen somewhat below the former. The Premier says a large balance has to be made up in gold, and that is rather serious. Better things must be hoped for next year. Wool does show a slight improvement, but experts do not eeem to expect anything very substantial. Meat 13 looking better, and the outlook for dairy produce seems all clear.

It ia gratifying at this advanced period of the season to be able to say that the doleful predictions heard from some quarters in the opening weeks have not been realised. The run of. prices at Home on the whole has been so far satisfactory that buyers should be ready to operate cheerfully again at the beginning of next season, and there is no evidence of the " slump " at the back end of the season tbat was foretold. Oontraots being made for the balance of the season's output are, from reports ■which reach us, quite satisfactory to produce rt. Ab for the future, the Government expert at Home, Mr Cameron, speaks of better distribution than ever before, and this should mean the maintenance of a good demand.