Old and New.

Old New Zealand is passing away. Its beautiful and characteristic fauna and flora are fast disappearing and giving place to alien forms; its native inhabitants are rapidly diminishing, and with them perish their language and traditions. But far greater loss than these—the worthy pioneers who laid firmly and well the foundations of civilization and liberty in these islands, have mostly departed for ever, and the residue are following fast. Who is to take their place?

There is a well-defined line of demarcation between the sturdy and self-reliant men who bore the burden and heat of the day, and the non-colonizing class of new-comers who have so easily and so readily entered into the fruit of their labors. More than this, there is something of antipathy. The most ominous feature of the recent election strife was the rancorous hostility evinced by the noisier section of the « new chum » element against the few remaining representatives of the brave men who, half-a-century ago, went forth with their lives in their hands, tamed the wild inhabitants, reclaimed the barren wastes, and founded the scattered towns which are large and wealthy cities to-day. They were no ordinary men who carried out this great work; many succumbed, physically or financially, to overwhelming obstacles—and for those who remain, if they attempt to take any prominent part in the affairs of the country, their reward is too often the vilest obloquy from men whose sojourn in the land dates from yesterday, who care naught for its future, and whose ignorance of its past history is stupendous and appalling.

It would have been better for this country had it, been content to hasten slowly. The progress it had achieved twenty-five years ago had been solid and substantial. Those who had made it their home had come to stay, and had no desire to sacrifice the future for temporary gain. But the discovery of gold in 1861 changed the whole aspect of things. The colonizing element was swamped by the vast wave of gold-seekers who were dazzled by the prospect of sudden and easily-earned wealth. It was then that the late Mr Cargill, in Dunedin, in words which have become a proverb, urged his fellow-members in the Provincial Council, to strive to maintain the « old identity » which was threatened with destruction.

In the great « rush » of those days there came an obscure journalist, Mr Vogel, who has since made a broader mark, for good or evil, on the country, than any other man. He had no sympathy with the « old identity » nor with plodding industry. In ten years he had come to the front, and for seven years, the country was flooded with wave after wave of immigration from nearly every country in Europe. Vast sums of money were borrowed, and extensive public works undertaken; and property rose to fictitious values. But the prosperity was not genuine, and long years of depression have at last taught the community a salutary lesson. By an unmistakeable vote, it has solemnly renounced Vogel and all his works.

Old New Zealand, we have said, is passing away. Where is Young New Zealand? Years ago, when the first native-born member, the late Mr Sheehan, was returned to the House, there was much gratulation; and no member of more brilliant abilities ever sat in our Parliament. But he has had few successors. The sons of the old colonists have that patriotic affection for the country that every true man feels for his place of birth. They, at least, are not altogether ignorant of the history of the colony; nor are they indifferent as to its future. In most cases they have had advantages, educational and otherwise, such as their parents did not possess. Yet only in very exceptional instances are they taking the place that should be theirs by right. Their chief weakness, generally speaking, is their too great devotion to sport and athletics. It is significant that in the biographical notes of newly-elected members which have appeared in the press, the strong point of one young New Zealander is his skill in the cricket-field, and of another, his prowess at football.

We hope, ere another general election takes place, to see a change in this respect. The present position is not without indication of danger. In the late elections an element of anarchy and violence made itself in some instances strongly apparent. The genuine colonist influence was often in danger of being completely swamped by reckless spirits who, had they been in a majority, would have quickly plunged the country into ruin. And such a result may be not far distant unless Young New Zealand awakens to a fuller sense of its duties and responsibilites.

Mr W. Colenso, F.R.S., read an interesting paper at the October meeting of the Napier branch of the Philosophical Institute, on the « jubilee » of the Press in New Zealand. Mr Colenso came out as missionary printer, landing on 30th December, 1834, and the first press and plant were safely landed on 3rd January, 1835. He had not selected the material himself, and some of the most essential articles had been forgotten. However, he was not discouraged, and in addition to much other work, succeeded in completing the New Testament in Maori in 1837. We intend giving an abstract of this paper next month.

Among the incidental matters which might profitably engage the attention of our new Parliament is a reform in the law of libel. Something on the lines of the English Libel Law Amendment Bill is sorely needed. Here is a case in point. A solicitor named Henderson, at the Bay of Islands, took action against the local paper, the Northern Luminary, and just as the case was about to be called in court, withdrew his action. The defendant, who had been put to an expense of between £200 and £300, has no redress. The withdrawal of the action at the last moment is equivalent to an acknowledgment that it was groundless and vexatious; and such being the ease, the defendant ought in all equity, not only to be able to recover his expenses in full, but substantial damages as well. We know of no form of revenge against a journalist more cowardly than to rob him thus by legal process, and skulk out of court when the case is ready for hearing.

Typo has from the first made a special feature of notes of new inventions, and it is with more than ordinary pleasure that we record the latest—the « Marsh Automatic Folding Attachment, » a photograph and description of which has been sent us by the inventor, Mr R. G. Marsh, machinist on the staff of the Evening Press, Wellington. The contrivance is exceedingly simple as well as ingenious, and as it can be attached to any printing machine, and is not costly, will no doubt come into general use. The apparatus receives the sheets from the tapes of the printing machine, and after giving them two or more folds as required, returns them so that they are delivered by the flyers on the taking-off board in the same manner as open sheets. The contrivance is entirely automatic, and may be thrown out of gear without stopping the machine, when the sheets are delivered open in the ordinary way. Mr Marsh found considerable difficulty in having his ideas carried out by the engineers, but has now the satisfaction of seeing his apparatus in practical use, and a complete success. He is taking measures to protect his invention by patent in the principal manufacturing countries of the world, and we hope that for many years to come he will reap the fitting reward of his genius.