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New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5496, 28 June 1879, Page 4

The Zulu war is not the only African topic which is before public attention. While waiting for news from our army, which, it appears, has now begun its advance into Zululand, there ia leisure to note some of the many interesting and important things which are occurring in other parts of the Continent. Indeed, nothing is more remarkable than the change which scienco and commerce are making in the civilised world. Yery few years ago, nearly the whole interior was set down on the map as a blank, a terra incognita ; but in this generation a series of able and dauntless explorers have been unravelling its mysteries, and but little of all that enormous region now remains wholly unknown. The trader, following in the wake of the explorer, i 3 anxious to utilise tho vast discoveries. All the mercantile nations are giving their attention to Africa. Franco, Ameriea, Holland are exhibiting their interest in one shape or other, in one or other degree ; but England, naturally from her commercial power, has tho largest projects, and is destined to carry out the most extensive movements and revolutions. Of all the changes which are now proceeding or preparing in the various quarters of the Continent, there is probably not one so pregnant with important consequences as that impending in Egypt. The two Western Powers appear to have at last decided to insist on the removal of the present Egyptian ruler, and the latest telegrams inform us that, in compliance with the order of the Sultan, ho has resigned. The immediate cause $md occasion for this decisive step is the case of the Khedive's creditors. He entered into an arrangement some time ago by which, in legal parlance, " his estate was to be sequestrated" for the payment of his debts, or, to speak more exactly, the public revenues were to be set aside for this purpose, after deducting from them a due allowance for carrying on the work of government, and for his personal expenses and the maintenance of his official dignity. The Khedive — a wortliless voluptuary, who has long been borrowing money at an extraordinary rate of interest, and then spending it recklessly and almost exclusively on his ploasuros—was from the first impatient of the new restrictions, and at last broke loose altogether, dismissing the Europeans who were appointed to supervise his finance. With M. Gambetta influential in tho government of France, and Lord Beaconsfield at the head of affairs in England, the case of the creditors has been promptly taken in hand. But the opposition in England is now objecting to interference beyond a certain point, and objects to its involving any political entanglements, in view of the lenders being almost as reckless as the borrower— the high rate of interest, which, according to the Spectator, averages 50 or 60 per cent., exhibiting their full sense of the frail character of the security. As regards political entanglements, Italy is said to have instigated the late Khedive in his action. She is believed to be anxious to revive her Levantine influence of the old days of Venice and Genoa, and to be jealous of the influence of the great Western Powers in that quarter. Of course this Italian antagonism will bo quits fruitleaa now that the Western Governments have insisted on the Sultan's removal of his vassal. But even if they had not insip.'xd on it, the Khedive himself would vary likely soon have made an end of his rule. Even in the most slavish of Eastern countries, a prince cannot always continue to use up everything and everybody for his mere personal ends. In Egypt, which from time immemorial was the granary of the surrounding nations, the inhabitants of the upper provinces are now smitten by a terrible famine. The prince owns the soil of the whole country, and the people are ground down by rents, taxes, and executions in labour as well as money. Things have come to such a pass that they cannot much longer continue as they are. A speedy change is inevitable. Then European influence must predominate, and England, from her maritime and commercial superiority, cannot but have the most direct and real power. The same causes which have thrown the Suez Canal mainly into her hands, will equally operate in giving her the command of Egypt. And it is not easy to over-estimate the advantages in prospect from such a position—both in regard to India and for the opportunity of a great Central African trade. Egypt, even if only thus controlled and not actually in her possession, would constitute a half-way house to India. And from the warlike races who live south of Egypt, like the Abyssinians and Gallas, she could draw any number of excellent soldiers, easily transported from their seaboard, which is but a short passage to Hindostan. The Gallas are professional soldiers of fortune, and come up in crowds every year to take service in the civil wars oi Abyssinia. Just as the Indian Government now draw many regiments of Glioorkas from the Nepaulese mountains outside British rule, they could as «t-uily have as large bodies of those East African soldiers to lessen their dependance on native Indian troops, and so lessen the possibility of another Indian mutiny. As regards the matter of African trade, a market would be opened in all the countries south of Egypt, many of which, like Nubia, Dongolo, Kordofan and Darfur, now belong to her. Not only that, but the Nile, proved to be the longest river in tho world would give a water-carriage for British goods into Central Africa, and down even to that wonderful chain of huge lakes where Stanley, following in the steps of Livingstone, has been the latest explorer, and where, it appears, that British trading stations are even already established. According to the account of a French traveller, the Abbe Deboize, who is now in those parts, four English trading stations have been recently founded in that lake country, on the most advantageous and commanding routes. In a word, the Nile and the great lakes which are on a line with it, constitute a natural highway between Northern and Southern Africa, opening up on the way the vast districts of the interior. Egypt holding the mouths of the Nile, is therefore tho key of a position, perhaps not to be surpassed in the promise of commercial opportunities. It seems it was the idea of carrying the Cape colonial empire far north into those tropical lake countries which led Sir Bartle Frere into his costly Zulu blunder. He had despatched two officers 011 a mission to the chiefs in that direction, but they both died of poison—whather by accident, or design of the natives is not quite clear. Sir Bartle under-estimated tho Zulu strangth, and anticipating speedy and brilliant success, no doubt relied on it to excuse his taking action on his own responsibility. But a great extension of empire, even iu barbaric quarters, is not to be done in a day, or without proportionate cost, not to speak of the trouble and outlay in the maintaining it. At present, at any rate, the idea is not publicly entertained of conquest accompany-

ing commerce in the unlocking of Central Africa to our trade. The establishing of certain posts,. depots, and trading stations will answer the purpose, _ where the "natives'wili doubtless be just as glad to buy as .we are to sell. The natives at Hawera seem to be somewhat daunted by the prompt manner' in which the settlers—who3e coolness, patience, and forbearance merit all praise—hiave dealt with them; but as they threaten another attempt, we suppose they., will be as good as their word. The Government have, it appears, resolved upon a farther stepnamely, that the natives attempting to plough land shall not merely be turned off, but shall be arrested by the Constabulary and brought before a magistrate. By that means a few of the moat. prominent may shortly find themselves in gaol, "rhioji would sorely bring their confederates, and even Te Whiti himself, to something like reason. The telegram from Wellington tells us that "if they resist, force will be employed to secure them, no matter what their numbers may be." Thus this troublesome affair will soon be brought to a crisis. "We can scarcely believo the statements we have to day, that the settlers of Mokau have been ordered from tha place, and that Te Wetere has declared war against the Europeans. Te Wetere was the chief of the party who perpetrated the White Cliffs massacre, and murdered the Rev. Mr. Whiteley, though Te Wetere asserts, and his statement is con.-, firmed by other natives, that he endeavoured to save that gentleman's life. Te Wetere is a very intelligent man, and, after the Kopua meeting, came down to Auckland and spent several weeks here, seeing the sights and enjoying himself. In fact, it is only a few days since ho left town. We are inclined to think that the truth in the story is this— that the natives about Mokau have become somewhat excited by the doings of Te Whiti's men, and the action of the Maoris nearer their own locality, at the White Clifl's. Mokau is a place to which the most fanatical of the Waikatoa occasionally resort, and till .wo receive further intelligence we are iuclined to believe that Te Wetere, who has hitherto protected and befriended the Europeans, has counselled that it woald be the safest plan for them to leave. Those Europeans who have settled at Mokau have, it neeel hardly be said, no title beyond the leavß and licence of the natives, so that they may be turned off at any moment without any law being broken. It was hoped that the natives might have allowed surveys and courts at Mokau next summer, but the Te Whiti mania seems to be passing over the natives of Taranaki and of the southern part of the Province of Auckland like au epirtpmin