NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 6439, 2 December 1881, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH

For transmission hy the P.M.S. Co.'s s.s. City of Ifcio York , from Auckland, ov, JJecember 6£A, via San Francisco to Europe.

DECEMBER.

When our Home summary for last month was despatched, the colony was in a state of anxious expectation as to the results of a bold stroke then impending to crush out long smouldering rebellion among a section of the Native tribes. The circumstances of the disaffection and the assemblage of an armed force to surround Parihaka, where the disaffected Maoris had for a long time congregated, were fully narrated, and we have now the pleasurable duty to perform of recording that the coup de main was attended with complete success ; a bloodless victory has been achieved, and the conviction forced upon the Native mind that the power of the European colonists is resistless. More than this, the stronghold of the Maori prophet, Te Whiti, has been broken up and dismantled, he and his immediate confederates have been imprisoned, and the heterogeneous assemblage of men, women, and children who in his camp in idleness and disaffection have been scattered and sundered, the recalcitrant among the Native males placed in durance, and the rest, with the women and children, sent back to their own tribes. All this has been effected by our Armed Constabulary Eorce, aided by our citizen soldiers. Of the latter a well-trained, well-

appointed, and numerous force, the vanguard of an army, had more been needed, were quickly concentrated on Parihaka from many and distant points of the colony: and the value of this power of concentration, combined with the willingness of our Volunteers to enter on active service, will be well understood by our Home readers. Heretofore the practical value of a Volunteer Force had been undervalued, even in this colony, where in the earlier Native disturbances some of the Volunteer corps then in existence had taken part in engagements with the Maoris, and experienced a full share of the perils and discomforts of war, though obtaining but scant share of the afterrewards. In the movement on Parihaka, now under notice, the Government, making call for assistance, obtained instant reponse from all, or nearly all, the Volunteer companies in the colony. Indeed, so ready and enthusiastic were the men in proffering to go to “ the front,” that the Defence Minister speedily found himself in the dilemma of having more men at command than the immediate

exigencies of the case needed, and some little tact was required in declining assistance without giving offence. Corps formed merely for local defence came trooping in hot haste from all parts of the colony, and although, as in England, the forces are composed of men whose daily avocations will not permit of any prolonged absence from home except at considerable sacrifice and inconvenience, this did not in the slightest degree act as a deterrent to their enthusiasm. At the call of duty they made hearty and most ready response, and aided in enforcing the dictum of the Ministry on a moat delicate line of policy, and furthermore, in achieving a victory which, happily freed from the bonds of armed strife, is none the less decisive. New Zealand has reason to be proud of her Volunteers, and when our Parliament next meets in session there should, as no doubt there will, be due recognition made of the good service rendered. Apart from this episode in Native affairs, and the incidental test of the -efficiency of the Volunteer Force for active service in the field, the only other subject, or, to put it more precisely, the subject of importance, is the now closely-impending general elections. On the 9th instant the electors throughout the colony will be called upon to choose their representative in the eighth Parliament of the colony. The term of office is triennial, and by / the Representation Bill passed during the last session, the number of representatives, exclusive of four Maori members of the House, will be ninetyone. For these seats nearly two hundred and fifty candidates have come forward, the majority of whom are untried politicians, and, to a great extent, unknown men outside of the localities wherein they reside. It is a significant circumstance, showing what radi-, cal changes in the calibre of the House are impending, that many of the most experienced and best relied-on members of the late Parliament are not coming forward for re-election. None of them give any definite reason beyond the convenient generalisation that pressing private affairs prevent them accepting the responsibilities of public duty, and the fact remains that the new Parliament when it assembles will, in all probability, comprise as incongruous a collection of political units as over met in a Council Cham-

her. Already the system of triennial Parliaments is decried, because giving no new member time to become really useful to his constituents —one session to learn in, one to experimentalise in, and one to make ready in for another contest —and this is likely to be very vividly exemplified during the approaching period. The Mayoral elections throughout the colony are just over. These events cause a general flutter of local excitement, but the issues involved are not very serious. The responsibilities are not great, and the office of Mayor, except in the leading cities, is an honorary one. In this city, where a salary of £BOO per annum attaches to the civic chair —in theory, as a means wherewith the occupant shall maintain the dignity of his exalted position; in reality, accepted as an addition to current income—there was an exciting contest, resulting in the defeat of a citizen who had previously held the office for several successive terms. The newly-elected Mayor is a parliamentary reporter, and it is significant of something radically wrong in our civic institutions when the fact presents itself, year after year, that our leading citizens hold aloof from any contest lor a dignity which in the interest of the City should not be beneath their notice and solicitude.

Wednesday last, St. Andrew’s Day, was one of the holidays which Wellington cits delight to honor. Coming at a period when the full heat of summer days has scarcely reached its maximum, and when fine weather generally prevails, there is every inducement ,to outdoor relaxation, and

the opportunity is made much of. The Spring Meeting of the Wellington Racing Club was held on _ that day, and some good legitimate sport ensued. One noticeable feature in the day’s proceedings, and which will contrast with the tales that reach New Zealand of rampant rowdyism on English racecourses, was the absence of any disturbance, and beyond a little speculation through the medium of the totalisator, little or no betting, and no games of chance. The Gaming and Lotteries Act passed last session makes it a misdemeanor to even invest in half-crown sweeps on a racecourse ; betting is paralysed, and the bookmakers’ occupation gone. Whether racing will exist and flourish without these concomitants is now a question of experiment. At the various ports of the colony the wool ships for England are rapidly filling. The Glenlora was despatched last week from hence, and the Wairoa trips her anchor to-morrow. The clip comes to hand in splendid condition, and recent advices of still another rise in Home prices make the wool-growers elate with hopes of coming fortune. Trade and commerce throughout the colony is favorably reported on. The farmers alone are repining: the glorious sunshine which all other people enjoy, plays havoc with their growing crops; the land in many districts is gaping athirst for rain.