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Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14307, 19 March 1912, Page 6

Mention is made in our English news this morning of tho last performance of "The Miracle," ono of the most remarkable productions - London has seen. Wo had in our mind to write "theatrical, , . , but the word would not have been suitable. "Tho Miraclo' , was a return to tho mediceval religious drama, with tho art and resources of tho modern producer superimposed on an ancient legend. Tho basis of tho story has been used more than onco; those who have read tho late Mr Davidson's "Ballad of a Nun" are familiar with ono version. It tells of a nun who, under temptation breaks her vows, and c?oe3 with a lover into tho world. There she lives a lifo of adventure, and passes from ono lover to another, until she trails behind an army as a camp-follower. In tho nun's absence tho imago of tho Madonna in the Cathedral comes to life, and takes her place, returning to tho image form when tho nun comes back from tho world. This story was staged under

the direction of Professor Roinhardt, in tho huge auditorium of the Olympta, on a great scale, and, judging by accounts, thero Avas nothing in tho treatment to offend the devout. Two thousand performers took part in the pageants, and ten thousand spectators witnessed the first performance.

Tho production was the most colo>ssnl of its kind over stased in. London, and tho expenses figures are interesting as showing how much entertainers are prepared to risk in theso days. The original outlay was £36.000. and the weekly expenses £5000. so that in the eight weeks' run, as originally arranged, £'80.000 had to ho taken beforo there could bo any profit. As tho run began on December 23rd nnd did not end until Saturday, evidently tho public's support was better than was anticipated. At one stage tho support was not sufficient to meet expenses, but the newspapers conducted a vigorous campaign, tho sympathy of prominent people, and of clergy of various denominations, was enlisted, and tho audiences soon increased to pr.ying proportions. It is, wo think, a matter for congratulation that London supported "The Miracle* so well. Apparently the objections that wo raised on Saturday to Professor Jleinhardt's version of "CEdipus" nro not applicable to "Tho Miracle,'' tho story of which is so arresting and tho treatment so noteworthy, that it would havo been a eetback to the higher forms of entertainment if tho enterprise had been a failure.

An. extraordinary (and, wo believe, unprecedented) incident marked tho debato on the Army Estimates iv the House •of Commons last week. In answer to tho criticisms of the Opposition about tho preparedness of the Army, Colonel Seely, tho Undersecretary for "War, produced a scaled envelope, which ho said contained tho War Offico's plans for sending an army abroad, and said ho would show it to any member of the Opposition under pledge of 6ecrccy. Colonel Secly was surely not justified in doing this. A Minister has to learn to keep his mouth shut sometimes, and take criticism in silence. though bo knows ho could answer it effeotively by using confidential information. Departments liko tho Admiralty and tho War Office are at a disadvantage in warring with critics, because they know, and tho critics do not. exactly what measures are being taken for the country's safety, but their lips are sealed. It is much moro important that pLins should be Kept secret than that ' critics should be silenced. Colonel Seely's half-way proposal would do no real good, but the making of it has probably irritated German feeling. Jn tho present stato of international relations, tho less said about -English plans for oversea campaigns the better. :

That preparations were actually made last autumn when tho Agadir crisis was at its worst for the despatch of British troops to tho Continent is perfectly well-known in well-informed circles. We learn, indeed, from a source in which wo have confidence that the troops which wero under arms at Aldershot ostensibly on account of tho railway strike, wero really cot ready in caso they should be required for foreign servico. The details of tho plans for their despatch, and their exact objective, are, ■we believe, a secret, although it is not difficult to mako a guess at tho latter. Even when tho last mail left England thoro was a feeling of uneasiness that all danger was not over. These are. facts ■which will probably cause surprise- to some unthinking people who aro disposed «to belittle the defence movement in New Zealand, but tlioy aro facts to bo very seriously considered by thoso who have tho welfare of this country at heart.

Wo are glad to see that the Citizens' Association, at tho annual meeting last night, showed their appreciation of the services of the retiring Mayor, Mr J. J. Dougall, and expressed a hono that if he offered himself for re-election, the citizens would also chow their appreciation in a practical way. We hone that Mr Dougall will again como forward as a candidate, and that he will bo re-elected. Ho has worthily maintained the dignity of his office, and upheld its traditions of hospitality, and hns in addition devoted his wholehearted attention in. a very capable manner to the business affairs of the rity. It would be a very great pity if his tenure should come to an end before ho has had an opportunity of completing some of the tasks to which he has set his hand.