THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DALY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1880.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3462, 29 January 1880, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DALY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1880.

The Thames and Waikato railway is again supplying material to fill the columns of the Herald, and aftbrding an opportunity for the proprietors of that journal to further the interests of its friends, by advocating the construction of the line from the Waikato end. The desire to pander to the land rings of Auckland and Waikato so blinds the Herald that the subject cannot, be discussed by them upon its merits, but every fact in connection with our railway that can be taken up is twisted and turned into arguments in favor of their particular views. The Thames hag never received such consideration at the hands of the Herald or the inhabitants of Auckland, and need scarcely expect it new when depression and hard times have visited its gold field. Nevertheless the confined efforts of speculators and land rings with their organ may retard the progress of the district, yet they will never succeed in crushing it altogether, if its inhabitants will only be faithful to each other, and combine for the common good, then such attempts wil' only have the effect of pointing out how necessary increased efforts are for self preservation. Unfortunately Thames people have never been of one mind in the matter of the railway, nor have they shown that unselfishness, which for the good of the whole should have characterised them, in the matter of the land required for the line ; and while discord and individual interests . are allowed to influence persons', it is not to be wondered at that advantage should be taken of such circumstances by tho3o whose interests are altogether in an opposite direction. Our contemporary in its characteristic manner, while as it would like to represent, attacking the Herald for iti treatment of the Thames, cannot refrain from giving expression to its own narrow views, and instead of allaying that unfortunate failing we have referred to, want of unity of purpose and unselfishness of action, only increases the flame of discontent by harping on the action of the late Government and the local authorities. The Advertiser, obeying its instincts, cannot represent facts in their true light, nor deal with them in an honest and unbiassed manner. The course taken by the late Mayor re the works at present in construction has always been a favorite theme for the Advertiser, and its correspondents, many of whom are well known to have other objects than the construction of the entire line —the result and the incidents attending the late deputation to the Attorney-General exemplifies our assertion. The fact is, if the works authorised by the late Government bad not been proceeded with, the prospect of any part of a line from the Thames being constructed for the next 10 years was very remote, and proceeding with this portion of the work was the only course open for the late Government. Committing the country to these works has compelled the present Ministry to proceed with the line, although for party purposes the principal works will be confined to the Waikato end. The fact is that the Government are not at this moment in a position to proceed with the construction of the section from Shortlaud wharf to the Kauaeranga bridge, because the necessary land has not been acquired, and tho Government, as stated by Mr Whitaker, have made it a sine qua non, that all land required for railway purposes shall be first acquired before works are commenced. Why is this ? Simply because the cupidity of the holders prevent those authorised to acquire the lands beiug able to close the negotiations. If such is the case now, how was it possible for the late Government to proceed with the line otherwise than the portion on the foreshore,'for the land at the other side of the Kauaeranga has only since been arranged for with the native owners. The reclamation of tbo foreshore is a work beneficial to the township from many points of view, while it ensures tho position of the future depdt and station at Shortlapd and Grahamstown, and not at Kopu, where those interested might wish to have it situated. If our contemporary would confine itself to urging the local authorities to leave no stone unturned in the matter of the railway, aDd if possible, securing the ear of tlis engineers in charge, it would do more for tho community than venting its narrow-minded views,,in finding fault with what has been done, encouraging that spirit of discontent, and pandering to those whose interests lie in only one portion of the district. The authorities should not content themselves with but one effort, and should not allow the rebuff of the Attorney-General to prevent them urging the .claims of ibis oouimumt/ to a fair and equitable share

of the vote for the Thames and Waikato railway.

The plot thickens. Some time ago the news was flashed to us that a difficulty had arisen between Eussia on the one hand and Germany and Austria on the other, in consequence of the former power massing large bodies of troops in Poland. Both the latter powers strongly protested against the action of .Russia, which drew from tho Czar a circular to the great Powers explaining the cause of the massing of the troops, and at tbe same time adrising Servia to comply with the just demands of Austria. Notwithstanding this assurance neither Bismarck nor his Austrian coadjutor appear to place much reliance on the honesty of Eussia's intentions, and a few days ago we were • informed that the German "Eeichstag had passed an army bill largely increasing its field force* while Austria was also placing Jierself on a war footing; and now our to day's telegrams state that the action of the allies* especially that of Germany, has caused a profound sensation in liussia. It would appear that the latter power is endeavoriug to create a diversion by inciting the Italians to hostility with Austria, but Germany, quite equal to the occasion, has in short, sternly ordered Italy to mind her own business. That a European war is imminent is plain, Austria and Germany are determined, and Bussia will either have to recede with great loss of prestige or try conclusions in a somewhat unequal struggle with two mighty powprs, backed by the sympathies of all Europe. Another point that favors the idea that there will bo a war is that however unpalatable a war may be to Russia, it will be beneficial in one respect, mitigating fur a time the internal dissentions of her great disorganised empire. We will watch with interest the next move on the political chessboard,