AN OMINOUS WARNING.

Evening Star, Issue 8771, 11 March 1892, Page 4

AN OMINOUS WARNING.

XO THB EDITOB. Sir,—Our planet has become a huge paddook, with London its arterial centre. Touoh an electric button and we almost instantly know what is going on. The recent London County Council elections are in evidence that Mr Gladstone will return to power with a working majority. Would it, under the oiroumetances, be presumptuous to respectfully ask our parliamentary members not to continue the retrenchment roar in the Defence Department. The reason is obvious. In the past this gentleman has always involved the Empire in war—bombardment of Alexandra, the Zulu, forsaking Gordon, etc Now, the European States are only waiiing his advent to let the dogs slip, which will in all probability be the spring of 1893. Let us in New Zealand and Australia be thoroughly prepared. Whether the right hon. gentleman is in earnest ancnt his socialistic reforms, or whether it is political chicanery to i secure office, is, of course, only known to himself. We, however, know what | bad political and theatrical example means. Boys, for instance, witnessing the play of • Oliver Twist,' have emulated Bill Fagan's pupils. So will the petty State leaders in Europe try to emulate Great Britain's Premier, and involve themselves accordingly. Once we recede from the position of the world's umpire we shall dwindle down to a second rate power. At the risk even of a terrible ink scarification, one hopes our Liberal leaders will not teach their children and followers to warble as the Mormon fathers did (to tho tune 'Bonny breast knots'), substituting the one for the other— The liberal fathers love to see Tteir Liberal families (party) all agree; The prattling infant (party) on the knee Cnog "Daddy," I'm a Lioeral! H'ch ba our Heaven, the Liberals cry, Our placj of birth aud whero we die; Cclestlalisc and purify This earth for perfect Liberals. —I am, etc., Lumper. Dunedin, March 11.