THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam." [Established November 15, 1861. DUNEDIN, MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1867.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23517, 3 June 1938, Page 27

THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam ." [Established November 15, 1861. DUNEDIN, MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1867.

SEVENTY-ONE YEARS AGO

New that Prussia has taken a leading position in Europe, statesmen and political philosophers have turned their attention to the causes that have enabled that country, which eighteen months ago was but a second-rate power, to take its place in the first rank. The “ Revue de Deux Mondes ” devotes an excellent article to the examination of this question in its February number, under the title of “Germany after the war of 1866,” in which the writer traces very minutely the steps by which this has been accomplished. He affirms that the blow that Prussia has been enabled to strike at Austria was out of all proportion great compared with the apparent resources of the country, and thinks it necessary to know whence this “ new power was derived.” _ To this question the writer says, it is generally answered “ that it is the needle “ gun that has done the work. This “ superficial explanation will per- “ haps be accepted by that historical “ school that delights to trace great “effects to trifling causes; but in a “military point of view, that ex- “ planation is insufficient, for on the “ decisive day at Sadowa, the de- “ fensive positions occupied by the "Austrians entirely neutralised the “ advantages derived from the rapid “firing of the Prussian arm.” The question is very naturally asked why that famous arm, to which such success has been attributed, was in the hands of the Prussians only, of all the nations of Europe? The answer given is, that the reason has to be sought in “ economic causes, the re- “ suit of moral causes, which engen- “ dered forces in secret, that in the “day of trial led to victory”; and the opinion is expressed that, apparently, the Prussians had a more perfect appreciation of the advantages derivable from its use, and more money to purchase the necessary armament. The theory laid down is one that is deserving of consideration, especially by infant states like New Zealand and the Australias. These colonies are offshoots of a land of civilisation and liberty, and have brought with them an intense love for the institutions under which they have been brought up. . .

The returns to nand of the voting on Saturday, show a nearly unanimous desire on the part of the Voters, that the management of the Goldfields should be vested in the Provincial Government; and the results have been received from 18 of the ninety-eight Polling Booths, and the numbers are—“ Yes,” 2331; against “ No,” 65. It is probable when the whole returns are sent in, that not less than 7000 votes will be found to have been recorded. . -

The “Taranaki Herald” of May 18th says:—“The daily yield of oil from the Alpha well has remained much the same during the week—the quantity being at present about eight gallons per diem. We believe, however, this quantity will be almost certain to increase as soon as the vein is cleared of all the matter which must have accumulated during the time the works were discontinued, and it must be remembered that this is the smallest of the veins which have been struck. . ~We are told that an experiment is also about to be made in town for smelting the Ironsand by means of the petroleum, and that a small furnace for that purpose is in course of construction.” , . , The petition to Her Majesty, the Queen, in favor of Separation, was signed by 2397 persons in Dunedin, during Saturday. At Port Chalmers 290 signatures were obtained. Information as to signatures has not yet been received from any other part of the Province. . ~ The " Oamaru Times ’ reports the departure of the brig Lady Emma, with a cargo of building stone for Melbourne. Tenders for supplying Oamaru stone for the Melbourne Town Hall are now being called for.