South Canterbury Times, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1884.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3374, 26 January 1884, Page 2

South Canterbury Times, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1884.

It was cabled a few days ago, that Earl Granville bad discussed the affairs of the Pacific with the French Government, with the unexpected result that they determined to send no more convicts to the Pacific islands. It is sincerely to be hoped that the news was not premature or ill-founded, but that France really means to pursue this policy. The question is an extremely difficult one to deal with. The deportation of a number of criminals to islands adjacent to the colonies of Australasia could not be viewed by the colonists without alarm and indignation, for without making any odious comparisons, we may remark that the criminal section of the French people are a particularly “ bad lot,” and they would be the least desirable of neighbors. Should the French Government have carried out its expressed intention, it is certain that numbers of prisoners would bo always escaping, and landing on Australian shores, there to carry on again their nefarious and dangerous practices. Yet how could such a state of things have been prevented ? France might have done this,without its being a casus belli between that nation and England, England could not reasonably have quarrelled with her neighbor on this score. But it would have led to very rancorous feelings, and a good deal of what is expressively called “bad blood” between the two nations ; and it would have provoked a very bitter hostility on the part of the colonics. The question was one to be settled by common sense and common consideration, and it is equally creditable to Earl Granville and the Government of the Republic, that it has been settled so easily. It is evident that Earl Granville fully comprehended the situation, and that the French were prepared to be reasonable and considerate towards England and her colonies. Vive Ventente cordials 1

The invitation of Captain Bridge of H.M.S. Espiegle to the Dunedin Naval Brigade, to witness “ drill at quarters” on board his vessel the other day, forms a precedent which it is to be hoped will bo generally recognised by other commanders. While we are endeavouring to form brigades and

bodies of men for naval and military services, these stand at a certain disadvantage as compared with similar bodies at Home, in that our men have few or no opportunities for observing the movements of the regular forces ; and any such opportunity is therefore doubly welcome. No doubt the colonial navals who witnessed the drill on board the warship at Port Chalmers the other day, learned many valuable lessons. Especially valuable to the colonial forces, is a lesson in discipline, the quality in which they are probably most deficient. It is to be hoped that whenever a warship visits our ports, it may be a regular practice to assemble the local forces for the purpose of witnessing various movements on board. Such lessons are invaluable.

We are very pleased to see that the citizens have, with so much unanimity, determined to celebrate the opening of the Fairlie Creek railway by a general holiday ; for the occasion is a notable one in the annals of this district, and we trust large numbers of people will avail themselves of the facilities offered by the railway department on Wednesday next, to go up and view this newly opened-up country, which is destined to be the source of a great deal of prosperity for this town. Timaru people cannot fail to be deeply interested in the well-being of the new settlement, The Albury line has long been known as the most reproductive of the Government lines, and it now forms a main artery to the port of Timaru, along which the vast products of the back country will be transported to our wharf. There is no doubt that the land at and about Fairlie Creek, is rich and capable of supporting a large population, and the inducements to settlers to go there cannot be too widely set forth. Increase of population there means direct increase of trade ,to the Port of Timaru. Timaru people should therefore do all in their power to promote settlement in that fine district.

The rapidity with which young females are engaged for domestic service on their landing in this colony, shows how utterly inadequate is the supply in this field of labour to meet the demand, and it is much to be wished that the immigration of suitable persons could be more effectually encouraged. It might be worth while for the Agent-General to give more attention to this matter ; and to employ all the means within his reach for securing shipments of young women. In addition to the usual number who volunteer to come out to the colonies, there are institutions both public and private, and organisations in almost every village in Great Britain, for promoting the welfare of young women, which could be laid under contribution to furnish contingents. We do not refer, of course, to penitentiaries or refuges, for we want no accession to our population from these. There are other institutions in which young women of good repute and who desire to live honestly,are cared for; besides there are always numbers who seek in vain for employment in the crowded marts of the Old World, and some special effort might be made by the Agent-General’s department, to induce persons from these sources to try their fortunes here. It is very certain that, whoever may make a mistake in coming out to New Zealand, young women of good character could not do better than venture; for they would be certain of employment.