The Timaru Herald. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1884.

Timaru Herald, Volume XL, Issue 3198, 26 December 1884, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1884.

The decided action of the German Government m taking possession of the territories m the Pacific remaining unclaimed by any other Power, will no doubt cause a good deal of strong feeling m Australia, especially m Victoria, where a feeling seems to have grown up that no Power except Great Britain has any right to found colonies or establish trading stations m this quarter of the Globe. But looked at from a practical point of view, it does not appear likely to make much difference to these colonies, at least for many years to come. It simply means that, instead of there being no recognised lawful authority m those outlandish places, the German law will prevail, and the German flag will be a refuge for those who need and deserve its protection. That is surely a very great improvement on anarchy or chaos. It would have been more satisfactory, and certainly more soothing to the national sentiment of British colonists, if Great Britain had taken the necessary steps m that direction. But she would not, and no representations on the part of the colonies were sufficient to induce her to take them. Therefore, — and not without giving ample notice and allowing a considerable time to clapse — Germany came forward and performed Great Britain's duty for her. Mr Gladstone was afraid of French bluster while Prince Bismarck wbb not ; that is all the difference. It remains to be seen whether the German Parliament will snpport the action of the German Government. "We are inclined to think they will not, and for this reason. Germany is very awkwardly situated for a colonising Power, because the Empire is made up of a great number of Federal States, moßt of which arc situated inland and have no mercantile murine nor any direct interest m tho extension of commerce m Ocoaniu. But all of them avo liable to taxation for tho maintenance of these Imperial colonies or trading stations. Hence their indifforonce to the Imperial ideas of the Prussian Chancellor, and the unwillingness of their Representatives to voto funds for carrying out his plans. Be that us it may, however, it seems to UB that the British colonists have no groat cause to cry out and make a fuss if tbo Germans take chargo of places m tho Pacific which arc not good enough for us with our notions of settlement. They will find them much moi'e trouble than profit, and the trade, if there is any, must inevitably come to these colonies m the long run. In the meanwbilo there will be Bomo sort of order instead of savagery or mere misrule. Decent German trading stations arc better than French penal colonies, at all events. »■ The news cf this awkward affair between the Consolidated Telephone Company and Sir Julius Yogel has aroused a great deal of interest m Melbourne, •where Sir Julius Yogel is well known both as a colonial politician and as a promoter of companies, especially electric lighting and telephone, companies. The Australasian of the 13th December has an article on the subject of the London telegram which announced that the Consolidated Telephone Company arc about to proceed against Sir Julius Yogel for tho recovery of the enormous profits which ho is alleged to have made asa Director. It is not eaßy to make out whether the article is intended to be serious or only sarcastic; but the concluding passage of it may bo taken, wo imagine, as conveying the general feeling of tho public m tho capital of Australasia : — " No doubt as soon as " this intelligence (tho telegram as to " the Telephone Company being about " to sue Sir Julius Yogel) reaches New " Zealund that gifted financier will re- " cognise tho propriety of temporarily " relinquishing tho burdens of politioal " life, and of hastening to London to " cover hjs unscrupuloui enemies with

" confusion. The view of the defendant "m an action of the kind advised, " administering the finances of a con- " fiding colony at the antipodes while " such a case is proceeding against " him at Home is not one suited to " excite admiration of the working " results of representative government, " and no doubt Sir Julius will consider " that the credit of New Zealand, as " well as his own, and that of parlia- " mentary institutions altogether, are " interested m his taking the earliest " opportunity to repel the imputations " which are so recklessly made against " him m the land he recently quitted." It is somewhat noticeable that no rumor has yet been heard m New Zealand of any intention on Sir Julius Vogel's part to go to England to defend the action against the Company. On the contrary, it has been conspicuously stated almost daily through the usual inspired channels, tbat Sir Julius is going to the hot springs for a holiday as soon as he can be spared from Wellington, prior to settling down to the main business of the recess. It ia abundantly evident, we should say, that the Colonial Treasurer has not the slightest idea of adopting the course suggested by the Australasian. There is no reason m the world why lie should take any such coarse, if, as he alleges, the action of the Company is founded on a total misunderstanding. In such a case, no donbt, his solicitors m London will be able to do all that iB necessary to clear bis character at Home and satisfy public opinion m the colonies. But we are bound to say tbat there seems to be something very peculiar about the whole business. We have just read •with great care the extraordinary Report of the Committee of Investigation of the Consolidated Telephone Company, which has been published in] pamphlet form m London ; and the result of its ptrusal iB to convince us that one of two things is certain. Either the Committee have issued a series of deliberate and at the same time reckless slanders against Sir Julius Yogel, m which case it behoves him most urgently, not less for the colony's sake, than for hia own, to take active measures withont an bonr's delay for the purpose of proving the libellous character oE their Repoi-t; or else it is extremely unfortunate for New Zealand tbat her affairs, and to some extent her credit, bave been entrusted to Sir Julius Vogel'e keeping. We do not know very much of the ways of the money market or of the morals of commercial circles at Home; but we are sure tbat such a Report as tbat of the Committee of Investigation of the Consolidated Telephone Company, if left unchallenged, must suffice to deprive any man whom it is directed against, of all financial status, and any colony that he is prominently connected with, of the confidence of capitalists. It is incumbent upon Sir Julius Yogel to vindicate his character at once, and if the expense is an obstacle, it ■would pay the colony well to provide the necessary funds.