IMPRESSIONS OF AUSTRALASIA.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3850, 19 November 1883, Page 4

IMPRESSIONS OF AUSTRALASIA.

Mr Archibald Forbes has returned from a lengthened sojourn under the Southern Cross, and he is endeavoring to repay tho hospitality ho experienced by saying all manner of pleasant things about the colonies ancl colonists in the most public way that he can contriA'c. In literary circles ho has excited somo little jealousy (mingled, hoAvever, with admiration) through having induced two leading magazines—the Nineteenth Century and tho Contemporary RcvieAA—to print articles of his summing up tho results of his Australasian experiences. Tho heavier of tho two articles appears in the Nineteenth Century, and is entitled "Tho Present and Future of the Australasian Colonies." I am inclined to think that colonists ay'lio havo sojourned more than one " long year under the Southern Cross " will not bo altogether disposed to accept the opinions expressed by the great Avar correspondent. He thinks that "only one thing can tear up by tbe roots the beautiful Australian loyalty that England makes so light of to-day. That thing will be, or would be, England's entering the lists of Avar Avith a groat European Power." In that event he appears to consider that the '' raids'' of hostile cruisers would bo almost insupportable, and that the general results of a severe struggle Avould press so hardly on the colonies that they Avould detach themsolvos from the mother country ._ Federation Avould then ensue, and our critic thinks the Dominion could afford te "take their chances" in regard to any external danger almost as complacently as the United States do iioav. Mr Forbes evidently considers Ncav Zealand more open to attack even than her northern neighbours. Respecting her he Avrites: —"New Zealand seems to regard herself absolved from the duty of self defence, and although Quakers do not abound among her people, to havo adopted the imbecile dictum of a local pseudo-states-man that 'in her defencelessnoss lies her truest protection.' True, several of her •principal cities—Christchureh, In vercargill, Auckland, Blenheim, and perhaps her capital AVcllington—aro safe, cither in virtue of position, or so situate that a foYv guvs Avould make them so. But many others are clean naked, such as Oamaru, Timaru, Nelson, Napier, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Greymouth, while Dunedin, although the Avu'terway to the face of that beautiful city is covered, is open to inshore cannon firo across the neck of Ocean Beach." Mr Forbes' other article on " Some Social characteristics of Australia" is light and more agreeable reading, especially to Australians, who are pleasantly patted on the back. Australian ladies are described in terms Avhich will probably ensure Mr Forbes a gonial avolcoiiio avlioii ho revisits the colonies next year. They aro described as fairly accomplished, and possessing alight, airy piquancy ancl sparkle which is pronounced very charming. "In physique thoy aro tailor, slighter, more lithe, shapelier, than thoir compeers at home, their colour, save in Tasmania, is seldom brilliant, the expression is full of vivacity, the eyes nearly always good, ancl the head and feet shapely, although not, as are those of American ladies, exceptionally small. They dance divinely." Australian gentlemen arc more briefly described as manly, cordial felloYvs, more pronounced and less reserved than Britishers at home.—Correspondent N.Z. Herald.