ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11283, 26 May 1902, Page 5

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES.

(FBOlt OO- OWN CORBESPONDEXT.) LONDON, April 19. Foiled in their attempts to slander the British soldiers in South Africa—their "foul and filthy lies" having 'recoiled on the slanderers' own heads—the German anglophobes are now devoting their attention to the Maoris, and are stigmatising the New Zealand Government's intention to enrct them in the colonial military forces as - a "method of barbarism" —if I may borrow Sir Henry CampbeU-Bannermaii's description of his own country's proceedings. in South Africa. Some German writers make the monstrous assertion that the Maoris are still a savage iuoe, and twist the saying of the native chiefs that when they had once beaten their enemies, those enemies did not trouble 'them again, into a declaration that their future mode of warfare would be indiscriminate massacre.

Referring to this latest slander, "One Who Fought Against the Maoris'" writes to a London paper as follows:—"As one who had practical experience of the Maori method of warfare for upwards of two years (during the late Maori War of 1860----1866) I can truthfutly record my emphatic protest against the German calumny about the cut-throat methods of the Maoris. We knew the 'Maori' as a brave man and daring fighter who, when on the warpath, meant to kill. He always respected our dead, and also knew how to suffer without running away. We invariably spoke of him in terms" of respect and even admiration. It is painful therefore to gee that anyone can thus write the brave Maori warrior; but we have this consolation that the author of this foul libel gives to the world the best possible proof of the fact that he knows not the people of whom he writes. To-day we see his worth —in his offer to take the field against the enemies of the Crown and tbe Empire, of which be is a law-abiding citizen and a loyai subject."

It is stated that "every endeavour is to be made to secure the and entertainment of the 2500 colonial troops in London during the Coronation period." One important scheme is, I hear, the opening of a temporary club for their use, and already suitable premises have been s-cured at 32 Dover street, Piccadilly. The membership of the club is to be free to all belonging to the colonial Contingents, but refreshments are to be charged for at a moderate rate. The proposal is said to have met with the warm support of the anthorities, and Mr Brodrick and Mr Chamberlain have consented to become vice-presidents. As it is estimated that nearly £3000 will be required to meet the necessary expenses of the club, Mr Chamberlain has promised a grant of, £500 from the sum voted for the outlay connected with the visit of the colonial troops, and several other subscriptions have been promised. The clubhouse will include billiard, dining, reading/ and writing rooms, as well as a limited number of bedrooms for the. use of men "on pass" and unable to return to the Alexandra Palace at night. This plan ought to be very acceptable to the soldier colonists. "Fiat Lux" writes to "Sunrise":—The following statistics are taken from the "New Zealand Official Year Book, 1901": 1890 to 1900—Excess of ex- . ports ever imports (excluding specie) ... — £29,924^336 1891 to 1901—Increase of gross Public Debt (externally borrowed) ... '...'.• 10,760,895 Total ... . ... £40,685,231 Specie imported, 1890 to 1900, £2,851,046 Specie exported, 1890 to 1900, £1,030,896 V £1,81>,-50

r £38,865,081 Judging from the above figures, we can only suppose that lie sum of nearly thirtynine millions has been retained in Threadneedle street; therefore, during a period of eleven years, it has taken £38,865,081 to pay the interest on the New Zealand external obligations,*: -aa average of £3,533,198 per annum." Mr Seddon has stated that exports and imports'for 1891 may balance, - Granted, but how about the little bill for three and a half mil ions?

On Thursday afternoon Messrs Sotheby; concluded a two days' dispersal of the collectdon of war medals belonging to Mr D. Davis, of Birmingham. A fine and rare Victoria Cross, awarded to Lance-Corpbral John Ryan, 66th Regiment, for ,gal_nt con-, duot at an engagement near O-meronbown, New. Zealand, on September 17th, 186_— he removed from the field of action the body of General Swift, and, surrounded by the enemy, guarded it all nignt—with the original War Office letter realised £58. "Are we to return to the days of frieze and homespun?" asks a London paper. The "Tailor and Cutter" asserts that the tendency of the past and present season has been to popularise coarse cloths, and tbe Prince of Wales is to be asked to take some action with a view of popularising a still coarser doth than is now worn. This action is to be taken in the interests of New Zealand, and the reason for it is that the demand for New Zea-.and wool is falling off, and the price has naturally decreased. New Zealand wool is. of a coarse texture, and can'only be made" up into rough material. The organ of. the. tailoring trade does not think his Royal Highness will have very - much difficulty. as the present popular taste is still in the direction of coarse material, and if a number of other leading, men follow his example, no doubt coarse materials will become the rage. A humorous, if somewhat doubtful, telephone story is going the rounds.here. I give it as it is published:—"A merchant who was some time in New Zealand, and who there: acquired the Maori language, (has a chief Clerk who possesses a similar accomplishment. The master—who hails from Aberdeen—and his subordinate are accustomed to converse in the Antipodean tongue when they do not desire a third party to understand what they are talking about Recently a persistent canvasser called at the office, and; the irritated merchant, pitting on his nat, growled to his clerk in Maori, 'Get rid of that nuisance as soon as you can!' and stepped outside. Unknown to tine twain, the canvasser had also resided in New Zealand, and could talk the native tongue as weF. as they could. Later the objectionable'caller rang up the merchant and said: Tm the nuisance ! I don't fancy your AberdWan twanz suits the Maori lingo! Ta, ta!" High praise is given to the Christchurch "Press" by the Wiltshire "Standard," which says that "The Press" is "a remarkable testimony to tfie energy and enterprise of colonial "journalism."