LONDON CHAT.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13105, 2 May 1908, Page 4

LONDON CHAT.

(raOK OTTE OWN CORRESPONDENT.)' LONDON, March 20. THE FINANCIAL OUTLOOK. A somewhat unattractive, not to say depressing, picture of the existing mtua-tawn as regards money matters in this country is published tihis morning in a leadi-ce London daily paper, whirh says: "Though the bank-rate was yesterday lowered to 3 per cent., and the financial conditions are outwardly most favourable, bankers and business men complain that tie public seems to have little money to invest. The Grand Trunk Pacific issue of £2,000,000 last week has proved a complete failure. It is mot merely in the world of high finance tihat this embarrassment is showing iteelf. Jewellers are doing no trade; the fashionable restaurants are suffering because their patrons have little money to spend. On the Stock Exchange within the present month a number of clerks have been dismissed, and several firms aTe contemplating withdrawal or a year's holidlay because business ib at so low an ebb. The unhappy householder finds that though his business is bad, all his expenses are increasing. Food, we all know, is much dearer, despite Liberal promises of everlasting cheapness under Free Trade. Goal is dear through Mr Aβquith's repeal of the exiport duty, and it will be dearer still when the Government have carried their disastrous Eight Hours for Miners Bill. Aβ the consumer is earning Jess, and as his increased tribute for food goes almost entirely to the foreigner, it follows that he has leas to spend on home jwoduots. Hence unemployment is increasing." Not agreeable reading, is it? And the worst of it is that the allegations seem to be dndisputa-blo facts. MISS FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE. "We regret that owing to some unexplained omission on the part of a previous generation, the honorary freedom—the highest honour in the gift of the Corporation—was not conferred upon her half a century ago, when she was in health and strength end thoroughly able fo appreciate and enjoy it; we to-day endeavour to repair as far as possible the laches of our predecessors; and lapse of time does not detract in the smallest degree from the sincerity with which we wish to pay our tribute to the life work of this incomparable lady." So spake the City Chamberlain this week on the occasion of the presentation of the Freedom of the City of London to the never-to-be-forgotten Miss Florence Nightingale. In spite of the announcement to the contrary, the Freedom was 'hainded over to a representative of Miss Nightingale, that lady herself being far too feeble to go to the GuiJdhiall in person. To her nephew was handed the oaken casket conitaj'nang the iparobment, together with a cheque for £100; to be dSvoted to any charity ■which might be selected by the recipient. Ever mindful of the ' sufferings of ot/here, Miss Nightingale had made a particular request that the Freedom should not be placed in the customary gold oaskot, but in one of less costly material, and thiat the difference should be handed to her as a donation- to be divided between two hospitals in which she was imterested. Mt H. Bonham Carter added to tiie interest of the ceremony by speaking of Miss Nightingale's life from the time he and she were merry children together down to the Dreaent day. As a mere sir], Florence began her work of ministration: the subject waa a dog, "Tap," whose broken leg she set. and who was ever afterher faithful friendj and anJent admirer.

THE VETERANS , FUND. At til© Mansion Honsp tihw w<»ek a meeti-m? was held of the Lord Mayors, Lord Provosts and Provoete of the (United! Kingdom, convened for the purpose of considering the Veterans' Relief Fund, inaugurated) by Lord! Roberto. The Lord Mayor of London presided. Lord Roberts eaad that in Lonidon the sum of between- £22,000 ami £23.000 had been collected already amd there was also what bad been raised l at other places, where associations for this purpose fcadi for a ilong time existed. That must be something considerable. In. Liverpool they had not a eingle veteran left in the workhouse. He'asTced , the meeting to form local associations and collect money. "My feeling," continued Lord' Roberts, "is this: I see the men and I kitfow what they have done—men who have never hesitated to obey, and who showed every eagerness before the order was given to go for the enemy; no matter what the difficulties were, whether it was hot or cold, fine or wet, they were always prepared to do anything that they could for the benefit of their country. It ie for tliiese men—and they deserve it!—that I have appealed to the country for help," Sir , George "White said that in the workhouses - they found a class- who appeared to have loefc oil sense of independence. They said, "Let us alone. We would rather stay where we are." Some possessed an unconscious sense of., humour. One pleaded the freedom of the British Gwbject to ma&e his home hie castfe, even if fhhifc home was i^" workhonse. Another saidl it was press impertinence on the pert of Lord Roberts to deprive him of what was hw Jong-cherished and) happy home. It was, he said, merely an attempt to get hold of his pension! However, the scheme seems lilcdlv to proper in spite of theso , cold-water douches; several of the meivore spoke of whi.it <to« brant; dome in their own districts for the old soldiers, and others promieedi support to the fund on behalf of their boroughs.

'THE MIKADO" REVIVED. The nmv season of Gilbert ond SuMivan revivals will begin at the end of April at the Savoy Theatre, Mrs D'Oyley Carte opening with "The Mikado." Tffm-wilii be the fi ,- ** ance at the Savoy of "The Mikado" since the Lord Chamberlain , a ban- of the opera a year ago on the occasion of the visit to this country of Prince FushinM. cousin of the Emperor of Ja"■paji. TTra ban lasted for some months, and during that period all performances of "The Mikado," or even eekotione from its musto, were forbiWea both in London and in the provinces. Mr Rutland Barrington will return to the Savoy, sustaining once a,rain his part of "Pooh-Bah," in which be did so well in (fays gone by.

"THE TIMES." On Monday last Mr Justice Warrington made an order sanctioning an agreement under which a company will be forthwith formed to take over the bosinese-of the publication of "The Tunes" newspaper and its undertakings. Mr Walter will be chairman of the Board of Directors, which will consist solely of existing members of the staff—Mr George Earle Buckle (the editor), Mr Valentine OhiroJ, Mr William Flavelle Monypenny, with Mr Moberley Bell as managing directorNo shares will be offered to/the public There will be no change whatever in the political or editorial direction of the paper, which will be conducted by the came staff, cm the independent lines pursued uninterruptedly for so many years. Mr Chirol, the foreign editor of "Tihe Times," is a man of wide knowledge in international affairs. A correspondent writes:—''Considering -that seventy-seven lawyers were engaged >: in connection with 'The got out pi Ctaacery

soon. The public are not let into the secret as to the source of financial support, or the amount of the new capital subscribed. Mr Moberloy Bell was able to show that 85-per cent.; of the shareholders supported his scheme. The other 15 per cent, will be bought out. Other questions which interest the public are the future of the Book Club and Mr . John Miirray's libel action. The amount paid for the goodwill of the property is £320,000. This does not include the plant and freehold premises, -which are the private property of the Walter family. It was rumoured last week that a great international City house had come to the assistance of 'The Times, , but a leading financial magnate, who has followed the negotiations closely and taken some part in them, declares that it will probably be found ultimately that tho controlling capital has been provided by Lord Northcliffe, in some of whose journals very hostile articles on the Pearson scheme appeared. . . . The premature (publication of the fact that negotiations -were, taking place no doubt proved an embarrassment to Mr Pearson, and led to future complications."