The Sun.
London, England, 1870-05-17 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.

The Times does not look with unmixed satisfaction on
the prospect of a New Zealand Loan, guaranteed by
Parliament. Even if the step is judicious, it is in the
wrong direction ; and the sacrifice to principle is consi-
derable, but it can hardly be pleaded as a precedent by
any other colony. It is likely, too, that the peace
offering will be very opportune. The prospects of
the colony are encouraging, and the colonists are
turning thair attention to internal improvements,
and pursuing its commercial interests with real
energy. New Zealand is rich, both in agri-
culture and in gold, and it is only its unsettled condi-
tion which has prevented the influx of immigrants. It
will not be surprising if the fortunes of New Zealand take
a favourable turn from the moment when she was com-
pelled to provide for self-defence.
The Daily News remarks that M. 011ivier's first
duty was to complete his Cabinet, when he had
passed through the ordeal of the plebiscite. The new
members do not impart mnch strength to the Ministry. The
selection of M. Grammont shows a leaning in
favour of Austria on the part of the Emperor. M. Plichon
cannot be called an acquisition. It is more important, how-
ever, to watch what the new ministers will do than to
speculate on their antecedents.
The Post cannot see any objection to the clause which
was discussed with so much eagerness last night, and in
which Sir G. Jenkinson took the sense of the House.
England and Scotland do not furnish a parallel instauce
to Ireland in the question of purchase holding, because no
dissatisfaction to the Government exists in those coun-
tries. The only confusion that has arisen on the subject
arises from the efforts of those who have misunderstood
the subject from perversity. Those most fitted to pronounce
an opinion are in favour of this clause.
The Standard says that the House of Commons dealt
last night with those provisions of the Irish Land Bill
which are most intimately associated with Mr. Bright.
Many of those who compose the majority of the
House of Commons are dissatisfied with Mr. Gladstone's
scheme, and regard clause 41 with disfavour. Parliament
is asked to promise the Irish occupier that it will furnish
him with two-thirds of the purchase•money of his
holding. It is no satisfaction for Mr. Gladstone
to say that all this can be altered if it should not work
well hereafter. The mischievous character of the
clause was exposed by several speakers, and it was shown
how a tenant might compel his landlord to sell his estate
against his will. The proposal is equally unfair to the
Irish people as it is unjust to the English and Scotch.
The Telegraph is greatly dissatisfied with the manage-
ment of the Metropolitan Police. It is not a mere addi-
tion of numbers that is requisite, but more braihs in
directing the men. It is a terrible thing when the danger-
ous classes find they are a match for the resisting force,
and it is not surprising that the recent burglaries are to be
brought under the notice of the House of Commons. The
efficiency of the force depends on the efficiency of
the Chief Commissioner ; but the upper staff, with
one exception, has proved a total failure. The
Chief Commissioner, for instance, was warned of
the intended jewel robbery in Piccadilly, and was
directed to the houses of the Rothschilds. He
set a watch upon them, but paid no heed to the house
which was actually robbed in the close vicinity. We are
none the more secure for the Habitual Criminals' Act, for
the danger does not lie in a few undetected burglaries
more or less, but in the collapse of the London police, an
evil which will never be remedied until we have a purely
civil force, commanded by a civilian, for exclusively civil
purposes.