NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 3007, 19 December 1896, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

To-day the election for the representatives of the Native race takes place, it is a significant fact that during thfs whole of the elections the administration of Native affairs and the dealings with the Native race passed unchallenged. Not only that, bu*: in the South Island the whole of tho candidates are declared Government supporters, and all those standing for tho Eastern Maori District have also all declared for the Government. Of tho 13 contesting the Western Maori District, 11, including Major Komp and Ropata Te Ao, are likewise adhering to tho Government platform. In the Northern Maori District it is expected tint the contest between Kapa, thtf* Government candidate, and Hone Heke will be much closer than was at first expected. It was generally thought at first that Mr Hone Heko would have a walk-over. In tho past tho Maori representatives h-wo been generally two to two, but we every reason to believe that the result of this election will bo a gain of one supporter to the Government.

Some little time since' wo vainly endeavoured to discover Where it was that Captain John Marriott wofit Out .shooting when ho Was captUrofi by brigands. The cable messages made the bald announcement that .ho had boon so seized while shooting, and that oA payment of the ransom demanded, .£IO,OOO, he had been released. It appoars*that Captain Marriott, who is a brother of Major C. Marriott,- of the Beeches, Stowmarket, was on a visit to Mr Eppstein, at Smyrna, and Was out for a day’s shooting with his Grejk hunter, when lie was suddenly surrounded by brigands, bound hand and foot, and carried off to the mountains. Fortunately for the gallant captain tho ransom was forthcoming, otherwise these enterprising brigands would have pursued their usual taotics; that is, they would have sent in instalments the captain’s cars, hands, nose and finally h*s head to his friends !

Tho British North Borneo Company occupies the distinguished position of having said of it by tho Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain, that it is tho only chartered company which has never given him any cause for anxiety. Referring to the Company a progress at tho “North, Borneo dinner on a recent occasion in London, Lord Twooddalo stated that gold of considerable value had boon discovered, and that 10,000 tons of coal per month are being rained near ono of the finest harbours iu tho world.

Great interest attaches to the intentions of Japan and tho promoters ofwhat is known as its strong foreign policy, especially so far as the Australasias are concerned. The new Minister for Foreign Affairs U euerf-eH-oally supported by .those Who bdibrb in the. extension of Japanese infiU4Abo, and their views And aim Mtjft BCSn set forth by the Fom-t«r£ ShiabuH in recent articles. The writer of these say’s “It is time to awake from our dream of stay-at-home seoludou and give rein to the bold Japanese spirit of adventure. The expansive power of the Japanese race must make Itself felt eastwards through North and South America and fclio Indies, westwards through India, and southwards throughout Polynesia, dominating everywhere the white Inhabitants and supplanting the black races. The making of a Greater Japan should not bo limited to the piecemeal extension of our dominions. The spirit of colonisation must be encouraged and emigration facilitated by the authorities at homo, while abroad Legations and Consulates must bo established at once for the protection and assistance of our ColoAiats. ...

Hawaii ia tho chantry Of the highest importance afid brightest pt'Ospecta for our emigrants. Who already number more than 20,000 of the total population of 70,000. Brazil is a Country of great natural fertility and much potential wealth, and a scheme has been sot on foot to promote the immigration thither of 20*000 labourers. To this end tho Government recently oonolnded a commercial treaty with Brazil, and the ratifications will, shortly bo exchanged, The future ia full of hope.” Colonial statesmen will do well to ponder those words of the representative men of an ambitious people-.

Reader? Of to-day’s telegrams will note With pleasure tho fact stated in the Supremo Court at Dunedin 'that many of tho farmers of Southland who were indebted td .the Ward Farmers’ Association are •recovering themselves, owing to the f&voArabl6 Season, and that they will pe able td pay off a considerable ambnAfc of their liabilities. Everything 'domes to him who waits, and the complete justification of tho Hon J. G. Ward seems now to be within measurable distance. We trust that those who have so bitterly opposed and so cruelly , aspersed the late Colonial Treasurer will yet tool compelled to do him justice.

Notwithstanding the ,111-timod comments of thd Sydney Dailij Telegraph, the Reciprocity Conference proposed by the Hon the Premier, Mr R. J. Seudon, will take place. Favourable sfeplldß have been received from all tho Australian Governments, save Now South Wales. The latter colony has not yet signified what its attitude will be. Tho colonies favour Hobart as the place where the Conference should have its sittings.

A rumour gained currency yesterday that the Hon A. J. Cadman had resigned. We have authority for stating that there ia not a shadow of foundation for such a statement. Indeed, we arc pleased to be able to say that Mr Cadman ia in thoroughly good health, so that tho Colony is not likely to be deprived of his valuable services. These false rumours, W 0 regret to have to say, are a device of the enemy, and a paltry device at that.

Wo 'hear of a rather amusing incident that occurred at one of the Maori election mootings. Before tho candidate was allowed to speak, be was asked the question, “Do you believe in and are you a supporter ©f To Hetana te Firimin.” On tho candidate answering in the affirmative, his hearers said “ Kapai, very good, very good ; go pn and speak; We Will listen to your words.** This is somewhat novel, and shows that the Natives in electioneering matters are in .advance of the Pakehas—Answer questions first; speak afterwards.