NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9808, 1 May 1895, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The statement of revenue for the quarter ending March 31, 1895, presented at the meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board yesterday afternoon, was declared by the Chairman, Mr. M. Niccol, to be mosb satisfactory. There seems to bo very good reason for this assertion, inasmuch as the statement shows an increase of cash received in almost every item when compared with the corresponding period of last year, which certainly points in the direction of an improvement in the trade of the port and district. The total receipts for the quarter ending March 31, 1895, amounted to £9027 Is lid., as against £7489 17s for the first quarter of 1894, giving an increase for the present year of £1537 4s lid. Exclusive of refunds the increase for the 1895 quarter was £1358, and exclusive of refunds and interest £1357. Taking the individual items into consideration the following are the principal increases : Rents £883, goods wharfage £82, export wharfage £17, shipping wharfage £40, port charges £79, harbour master's fees £28,' Auckland Dock dues £107, and Calliope Dock dues £153. It will be generally admitted that the above figures are encouraging, and justify the hopeful deductions of Mr. Niccol as to the approach of better times. It was also stated at the Board that business men who have travelled south recently declare that it is generally admitted in the other centres that the prospects of an early return to prosperity are brighter in Auckland that in any other part of the colony, special stress being laid upon the revival in the gold mining industry.

In the rain quest for territorial aggrandisement, without regard for any other consideration than that of merely adding to her colonial empire, France is increasing enormously her already stupendous burdens, without any compensating advantages. He was a wise and prudent and patriotic statesman who raised his voice in the French Senate the other day, to warn the nation against pursuing this foolish and shortsighted policy, which, if continued, must inevitably plunge the country into serious difficulties. We are afraid, however, that in the present temper of the French people his words will fall on deaf ears. Rone are so deaf as those who will not hear. France is showing a ready disposition to lend herself as a willing instrument for the furtherance of Russian ambition in the Far East, in the expecbabion, no doubt, that she will gain something as well as Russia. Bub a sober and impartial examination of her IndoChina empire must convince even Frenchmen themselves that it is a weakness instead of a source of strength, and that its extension would be as great an evil as could befall France. The truth is, the French do nob know how to manage colonies. The genius of the Gallic race does nob run in that direction. The resulb is that France is paying boo dear for, her whistle, and the sooner she opens her eyes to that fact the better ib will be for her people.

Take Tonquin for example. In Mr. Henry Norman's very readable and opportune volume "The Peoples and Politics of the Far East," we find the following striking paragraph, which may well be accepted as amply justifying M. Loubet'a recent solemn appeal to his countrymen to consider whether the time had nob com* for abandoning costly and comparatively worthless colonial possessions that had been seized in a spirit of military vain-glorious-ness. The conclusion," says Mr. Norman, "at which I have finally arrived is that from 1883, when the history of Tonquin began, down to the latest accessible official statistics, the cost of Tonquin to France has reached the colossal figure of 534,531,170 franca, or £21,381,247. a yearly average of 44,544,264 francs, or £1,781,770. Or, to pub the fact in a popular form, the satisfaction, of including "Le Tonkin among the possessions of his country has cost the French taxpayer 122,039 francs—£4Bßl— a day, Sundays included, for every dfty that ho has had it, lb may safely be fore-

told that when a,('i length he cornea, to realise this fact he will be surprised, and bin surprise will manifest itself in a striking manner."

The English constituencies seem to be steadily turning their backs upon the Gladstonian party, the Unionists adding to their list of recent victories by gainin» another seat at the Norfolk by-election last week. The probable result of the next general election is becoming an interesting and discussed question. The Times' special correspondent, writing upon the electoral outlook, says it would be unsafe for the Unionists to reckon upon winning more thivu two seats in Walea, and the fact must not bo ignored that ■ they stand to lose two seatw in Ireland. The writer concludes by stating that giving the Gladstonians the benefit of every local consideration or political argument | that is calculated to tell in their favour, they must expect to lose at least 33 seats at •the next appeal to the country -six in : London, five in England south of tho Trent, 15 in England north of the Trent, and seven 'in Scotland. (Ireland and Wales are omitted because they balance each other). This would mean a gain to the Unionists of 166 votes, and it would convert the Home Rule majority of 35 into a Unionist majority of 31. Nothing is more susceptible to suddenly-arising influences than the politica atmosphere ; and, therefore, in making an electoral forecast one can only indicate what is likely to happen under the conditions j which, prevail at the period of inquiry. ] The pendulum is moving in the direction of I the Opposition, and, so far as can be seen, the longer the policy of the Government is withheld from the decision of the constituencies the greater is likely to be the impetus of the swing.

The war cloud in the East is growing more and more threatening. Russia is now said to be mobilising the whole of her army and navy. This points to an intention ol enforcing her demands upon Japan by means of powder and shot. The situation is described by the Times' correspondent at Tokio as very grave. In view of the state of affairs Germany is urging Italy to renew the Triple Alliance for six years. It is, of course, possible that the danger which is now menacing peace may pass away without exploding. Although Japan has shown marvellous skill and resourcefulness in the conduct of the campaign against China the cannot hope to defy unaided a combination of European Powers. Every reason of prudence must impvess upon her the necessity of avoiding, at whatever sacrifice of what she may justly consider to be her rights as a victorious and independent nation, a conflict which would in all likelihood deprive her of all the fruits of her recent military successes. But in the present state of public feeling in Japan, the war fever having seized upon the whole populace, the self-restraint which this policy must impose upon the Mikado and his advisers may well prove too great for them. Nicaragua still maintains a defiant attitude agaiust the bettev advice of her neighbours, who are urging her, in view of the hopelessness of her opposition to Great Britain, to pay the indemnity demanded. The Government would no doubt willingly enough agree to this course, bub tiny are in fear of the, mob. To pay up might mean a revolution. Two hundred Spanish troops in Cuba, who seem to have fallen into an ambuscade, were massacred by the rebels. The Greek elections have resulted in a victory for M, Delyannis'a party. News from Chitral reports the capture of Sher Afzul and 300 jf i bis followers.