The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1891.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9511, 5 September 1891, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1891.

At the end of the eighteenth century a small spark was deposited by the British Empire on the Australian coast, in the hope that it might, sputtering away in the desert darkness, burn up the traces of to© social corruption which the spread of humanitarian ideas was compelling society to keep from the gallows. The spark was deposited at ‘‘ Botany ” —all Australia was “ Botany ” a hundred years ago—and men devoutly- hoped that they might never see again the shiploads of unhappy humanity sent there in those physical and moral pest-houses known as convict transports. Nelson fought at the Nile, be conquered at Copenhagen, he died at Trafalgar, One of his despatch boats was named the Kangaroo, and nothing more was ever thought of the Botany settlement. Tears passed, and year in year out Botany remained a byword. But the spark was growing into aflame, and the flame was increasing, until at length its brilliancy caught the eyes of the world and dazzled them. The result is that the end of the nineteenth century is signalised in the British Empire by the beginning of a great movement to consolidate the Empire scattered about the Colonial world. The fire from the spark of the eighteenth century after burning a hundred years has thrown a spark in its turn, which is warming public opinion with a fire which will bura steadily through the twentieth century. A few weeks ago the criticisms of Australasia in the leading magazines, and the reception of Australian loans in the money markets, were such as to lead a stranger to fear the worst for the Imperial connection. But the fire is burning too strong and too true for any such fear. Does anyone doubt it ? Let him read the articles now being printed by the Times on the marvellous past and great future of the Australasian Dominion. The courage and enterprise which have done so much are valued by the British nation with an appreciation which daily increases in proportion as it is better informed. A weekly mail is the educator, and a penny post will increase that educator’s power shortly. When the twentieth century is ushered in the unity of the British Empire will probably he as practical a thing in detail as it is now in principle. Victoria has voted New Zealand out of the Australian Commonwealth. It matters nothing: New Zealand depends upon the larger Commonwealth which her people have always preferred.

M. de Blowitz is the “ born journalist ” who told the world the true story of Bismarck’s disgrace. The world was sceptical for a time, but Count Munster has at last admitted that what the veteran said was quite true, though he does not admit that he is pleased by the unauthorised publication of the purport of his conversation with the veteran. The moral is that M. de Blowitz is to be depended upon by the public who reads him, whatever may be bis relation towards his informants whose brains he sucks. They may not trust him, but we may. This is important, as de Blowitz has just declared that the Eusso-French alliance affects only operations in China, and he has supplemented his information by the further declaration that under the Empress Dowager a movement to purge China of all foreign elements is being worked out. It is the unexpected, in the sense that it is contrary to all hitherto accepted ideas about the motives of the French and Eussiau friendship. But it is likely to be true; it has at least good authority behind it. That the future of the Chinese Empire is one of - the greatest problems of the coming age has long been the generally accepted belief. It is not at all extraordinary that the two great Powers of eastern and western Europe should have determine to take a hand in that problem’s solution. Their’s is merely the actiou of the man who averts danger by taking prompt measures to meet it. This, of course, can only he regarded as a strong probability, vouched by a capable, well-informed man, and not out of accord with well-known circumstances. Since M. de Blowitz made his announcement, the cables have, to some extent, supported him with independent testimony, the tendency of which is to prove that there is an arrangement, which makes the Chinese Convention possible. France, the cables seem to imply, has agreed to the terms upon the last remnant of the Treaty of Paris, and Great Britain is ready to adopt the idea for the sake of Egypt. In other words, to keep open the Suez Canal, Great Britain will allow Eussia to open the Dardanelles, while Prance for her own reasons is agreeable. What is remarkable is that this triangular arrangement is shadowed forth in the cables, just after a French fleet has received ovations at the naval headquarters of both Eussia and Great Britain. Austria is protesting in a way. And that is the touch of realistic colour which completes the appearance of probability. All we can say is that if the circumstances and interests of Europe have been so adjusted as to permit of the diversion eastwards of the attention of the most powerful ruler of Europe, it is a good thing for mankind in general.

The collapse of President Balmaceda is the triumph of the democratic principle in Chili. Nothing can be more democratic in theory than the Chilian constitution, which is a close copy of the constitution of the United States. At the same time nothing was ever more complete than the absolute ascendancy in Chili of the governing families. At the revolution the leaders obtained the support of the population by envoking the democratic principle against Spanish autocracy. The Spanish autocracy got rid of, they kept the word of promise in appearance only. The President ruled, the Congress obeyed. The President appointed his Ministers and nominated his successor, while the Congress voled supplies. At first the governing families governed well, for which reason the only rebellion against them, which occurred fifty

years ago, was easily suppressed, with the popular approval. But the evils of a close oligarchical corporation grew, as they have grown in every age when left to themselves. For half a century there was tranquility; at the end of that the Democracy asserted itself against corruption and misgovernment. Balmaceda at first temporised, professing obedience to the spirit of the Constitution. But, as soon as his preparations were completed, ho threw off the mask, and defied his Parliament, which promptly took up arms. The army remained, for the most part, with Balmaceda, and the navy went chiefly to the side of Congress. The principle of Dictatorship at once shone forth in all its hideous repulsiveness. The Dictator who declared himself independent of Congress very soon asserted independence of all the laws, and his brief troubled reign was signalised by all the horrors of unchecked cruelty. The event has proved that the wholesale terrorism of an eastern despot is not the best method of gaining the affections of a free people. After a prolonged struggle the hour of reckoning arrived. A small army of devoted [Republicans met the greatly superior forces of the President, and broke up his power. Most unfortunately the monster Balmaceda has escaped their clutches. It is terrible to read of the vengeance that is falling upon hia satellites, but in all probability most of them have deserved their fate. But those are merely attendant horrors, the last scenes in a terrible episode of history. The main feature is that the Constn tutional party has, triumphed over a -dictatorship which had nothing hut cruelty to sustain it. Balmaceda’s escape with the public money and his miserable life while brave men were dying for him, emphasises the utter selfishness of his attitude from the first. The fact that such a scoundrel could have played such a part is an eloquent warning that every Constitution wants good safeguards, and that standing armies are a curse. The warning will we hope not be lost on the Chilian people. ■

The present season has been a bad one for potato growers. That is admitted on all hands. The Australians have been able, in a large measure, to supply their own requirements, and Tasmania has entered into keen competition with New Zealand, and, to a large extent, has beaten us in the Sidney market. The result is that there are very large quantities of potatoes in Canterbury at the present time, unsaleable even at the “ slaughter price ’’ of ten shillings per ton.' But what is most noticeable is the great disparity in the Sydney markets between the price of potatoes grown in New Zealand and the price of those grown in Tasmania. For months the Tasmanian potatoes have been quoted at a pound a ton more than those grown in this Colony. This sum, in itself, represents all the difference between a profit and a loss to the grower. It is not difficult to see the reason. Early in the season the Sydney market was rushed with inferior and unripened potatoes. This course, although it enabled sundry growers and speculators to clear out unprofitable stock, has caused immense loss to the Colony. We are assured, too, that it has damaged, irretrievably, the value of New Zealand potatoes for this year in the Sydney market, and that the low price quoted for our tubers is the natural result of the smartness of those gentlemen who so seriously damaged our trade by giving New Zealand potatoes a bad name. A letter which appeared in our correspondence columns the other day on this subject is also worthy of attention. The writer pointed out that the want of proper care in planting only well-shaped and properly classified seed had seriously impaired the quality of the crop. This year potatoes are so plentiful and so cheap that there will be no need for growers to use anything but the best seed, and we trust the Farmers’ Clubs and other Agricultural Associations will take steps to ventilate the importance of improving the quality of the potato crop.