OUR LONDON LETTER.

Evening Star, Issue 10411, 4 September 1897, Page 4

OUR LONDON LETTER.

ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. London, July 23. At last tho Diamond Jubilee may be considered fairly over and donn with, at least so far as the London correspondents of New Zealand papers arc; concerned. The Australian Premiers have all left the metropolis ; likewise most of tho Antipodean troops, including the New Zealand contingent, have said “Gond-bve” to their temporary sweethearts, and on Sunday Mr and Mrs Seddon, with their daughters, leave the Hotel Cecil for Paris cu route to Naples. It is true we shall still have with us a grand selection of colonial bishops, including half a dozen from New Zealand, but, with all respect to “the cloth,” it can be said that our clerical visitors havo played a very-;; indefinite part in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. So far as the groat British, public is concerned, the bishops have been a uegligable quantity. Their comings and goings have been unheeded by the multitude, and whatever speeches they may havo marie havo been, to a very groat extent, sweetness wasted on desert air. Vos, bishops notwithstanding, the Jubilee is now a thing of the past, and many of us are heartily glad that it is so. In regard to news of an Anglo-colouial character, the past seven weeks have constituted a period of abundance, the like of which we shall not see again. But though the ensuing weekly harvests may be poor in comparison, one’s labor in gathering them in will be infinitely less arduous than it has been during the time cf Jubilee, and I have yet to have speech with the London correspondent whoso sorrow at parting with the Premiers and the troops is not largely mingled with feelings of profound thankfulness. THE I‘EEMIEK’S FINAL TOUH.

After several fruitless journeys to the Hotel Cecil in the course of Wednesday and Thursday. I managed to get a lew minutes’ conversation with Mr Seddon last evening. Tho Premier was extremely busy with preparations for his departure, and several gentlemen, with more or less important missions on hand, were waiting his pleasure, so my time was strictly limited. In answer to a query- as to his movements since I saw him last, Mr Seddon rapidly narrated the incidents of his final tour in the Old Countrv with his wife and daughters. Leaving London on Tuesday- last week, the party proceeded to York, where they were entertained by the Lord Mayor and duly shown the “lions” of ancient Eboracum and neighborhood. On the following day they proceeded to Newcastle on Tyne, the mayor and several of the leading citizens meeting the Premier’s party at the station. Having sampled the hospitality of the good people of Newcastle and viewed the sights of the town, the Premier and his entourage proceeded by the night mail to Scotland, their destination being Annan—or, rather, the neighboring hamlet of Ecclesfechan, the birthplace of Thomas Carlyle and of Mr Scddon’s mother, whose family has bsen associated with the place for centuries. After a couple of happy days iu the neighborhood of Annan Mr Seddon took his party over to Belfast. During tho brief stay in the heart of Ireland’s commercial life the Premier and his wife and daughters lunched with the Lady Mayoress and inspected the famous works of tho Belfast Liuen Company and the equallv celebrated rope works. At tho latter place Mr Seddon had the pleasure of seeing New Zealand hemp and flax spun into ropes of various thickness, from the ordinary clothes-line gauge to cabtes of from four to six and eight inches in diameter. From Belfast the party proceeded to Dublin, breaking their journey at Dundalk, where they were very hospitably entertained by relatives of the Rev. Dr Watters, of St. Patrick’s College, Wellington, In Dublin, Mr Seddon and Ms family were the guests of the Royal Society, too Council of which entertained them at lunch, and enabled them

to see the sights of tho town rapidly and effectually. The Bank of Ireland, the Zoological Gardens, College Green, and Trinity College were included in tho round, and, of course, the visitors were driven through Phcenix Park. They were also shown the Tito where Donnybrook Fair used to be held. The Premier paid a visit to the great distillery of Sir John Bower and Sons, and the friends of temp -ranee in the colony will be shocked to hear that he did not resist the temptation of his guide to sample the contents of one of tiie 11,000 casks of whisky stored in the firm’s cellars. The evening was spent at the house of Mr J. Talbot Power, at Lcopardstown, and next day Mr Seddon crossed to Liverpool, and went thence to St. Helens to spend a few hours with his old foreman, Mr Mellings Mr Seddon enjoyed his brief trip in Ireland immensely, ami confesses that though the hospitality of the English. Wel.-h, and .Scotch people 'to him during his stay at Home was almost too great to endure, it was almost exceeded bv the royal treatment ho me: with in tho sister isle. On Tuesday Mr Seddon paid a flying visit to "Wigan to meet some of his friends of six-aud-thirty years ago, and tho occasion was taken advantage of byjthe Mayor (Alderman R. Richards) and members of the County Borough Council to extend to their guest a cordial welcome. Mr Seddon was met by Mr J. Wood, J.P., Mr G. L. Campbell, J.P., ami others, and was escorted to the Borough Courts, and shown through the library, etc. Afterwards, accompanied bv some prominent Wigan gentlemen, the Premier drove through Haigh Park, belonging to the Earl of Crawford, and visited several manufacturing works. Tho party was also entertained at luncheon in the old Council Chamber, and the health of Mr Seddon was proposed by the Mavor,

The Premier, in responding, assured those present that the residents of New Zealand had always the greatest love and affection for the Mother Country. The Now Zealanders were proud to be in a position to say that they belonged to this, the oldest, the brightest, the most glorious nation upon the face of Cod’s earth to-day. All the world would see, during the Jubilee rejoicings, that we were a powerful combination, and, whilst they rejoiced in the joy and sorrowed in the sorrow of the Mother Country, the colonists would ever be ready to defend her in that which was right. Whilst imbued with the utmost loyalty, he must add that oftentimes in the colonies the actions of the rulers of the country were looked upon as being hesitating in character. Everything should be done to bring the Mother Country into closer touch, and to give greater confidence to the colonies. Speaking with reference to trade, he said the British manufacturer .lid not advance in proportion to the growth of the population. In New Zealand they were consumers of products which for many years to come they could not expect to manufacture, and, as was natural, they desired that their kith and kin should reap the advantage thereof. But what gave him considerable anxiety was that the trade of foreign nations was steadily increasing whilst that of the Mother Country, relatively speaking, was uot_ expanding. It seemed that so long as the English manufacturers and mills were running steadily no thought was taken for the future. No expansion of trade had taken place as it might have done, and now there was talk of finding room for what was termed the surplus population—those for whom employment could not ha found elsewhere. Every means ought to be exhausted before we saw our Mother Country turned into a breeding ground for supplying populations to other countries, even though it was to our own colonies. The Mother Country, he wished to point out, was not getting what it deserved or was entitled to. Within the last five years trade with America had doubled itself, the foreign manufacturers were alive to future development —they had their agents in the colonies, and instead of being content with steady employment they were looking forward in a manner that must eventually cause great anxiety to the cotton manufacturers of Lancashire. In his opinion it was well worth the while of Lancashire manufacturers to send out agents to the colonies to show the class of products they could turn out, and by that means counteract foreign competition and increase both the_ prosperity of the MotherCountry and the colonies. Before proceeding to Wigan Mr Seddon was waited upon at Mr Melling’s house by Mr H. R. Lacey (chairman of tne St. Helens Library Committee), who presented him with a bound copy of the free library catalogue, a handsome volume bearing a splendid view of the Gamble Institute, and the following inscription in gold letters on silk :—“ County Borough of St. Helens. Presented by the Free Public Library Committee to the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, Premier of New Zealand, as a memento of bis visit to St. Helens, his native place, upon the occasion of his return to England, after an absence of thirty-three years, to represent his country on the occasion of the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, June, 1897.” Mr Seddon arrived back in London on Tuesday night, and since then has been busily engaged with preparations for his return to the colony. The accumulation of correspondence whilst he was on his tour had not been entirelycleared off last night, and everypost brings fresh material for him to work upon. '*And every hour of the day brings its batch of callers, many of whom must be seen, if only for a few minutes.

Yesterday morning Sir Seddon repaired to the Docks to see the New Zealand contingent off, and on his way home to the Cecil stopped for a while in the City to talk over freights with the managers of the shipping companies. He informed me that he looks forward to still further concessions from the shipowners in the matter of freights upon produce. • Another matter upon which Blr Seddon has been engaged during the last few days concerns the increase of the cable facilities of the colony, but at present ho is unable to give any definite information as to the line of action he has taken on this point. To-day the Premier is occupying his leisure moments by paying official and social valedictory calls—a duty which will also find him employment to-morrow. On Sunday morning he starts with his wife and daughters for Paris, and contemplates a bdef Continental tour before joining the Oroya at Naples on August 2. Blr Seddon has undoubtedly enjoyed his stay in the Old Country immensely, so have the ladies of his party. One certainly would be very willing to stay here in spite of climatic vagaries for a year or so. At least she thinks she would, though probably

what is called a “good old-fashioned winter” i might alter her opinion of London. 1 THE DEPARTURE OP THE COLONIAL CONTINGENT. ! It was just like an ordinary station scene on 1 the departure of a “special” for the Docks. 1 There were the übiquitous porters pushing their way through the dense crowd with trollies piled with luggage, and heralding their intention of : running you down with their cry of “By your leave, please.” There was the middle-aged and plethoric female, with her dozen parcels bravely trying to push her way along the platform, but making very slow progress owing to dropping something at every step; and then there was the lady who felt sure that she was going to get into the wrong train, and, not satisfied with the assurance of the guard to the coutrary, had to ask the advice of every railwayofficial who came within reach. Yes' theywere all there pushing and worrving'themf but , the^ e , another element JJip 7°n 0 ' V<l at c t!le departure of yesterda> a 12.30 express from Fenchurch street for the Ruahme at Gravesend, and that element an unusual one, the presence of the New Zealand contingent, who were officially leaving England after their six weeks’ stay. Premier Seddon drove up some iew minutes before the denarture of the tram, and, after shaking hands with a number of the men, said a few words to them on the platorm. He commended them on the excollence of their conduct while in England, and said that there were very few men who would have faced so many difficulties to represent their colony at the Jubilee. They were but a small section of a similar type of J colonist i-i Now z,i

yvouid not hesitate to shed their blood for their country should the occasion arise. Mr Seddon was accompanied by Mrs and Miss Seddon, and there were also present a number of New Zealanders to bid the mounted rifles good-bye. Most of these accompanied the troops on board the Suahine, bent on seeing the last of them. I noticed Majorgeneral Sir George "Whitmore, Father Lynch and Mr 11.I 1 . Mackenzie; while as representing the Agent-General there were Mr Campbell and Mr Kennaway, jun. A number of the friends the colonials have made in London-and the personal friendships that have been cemented are by no means few—also saw them off. lam told that there is more than one stalwart and unmarried trooper who, for at least some time to come, will give vent to more than an occasional sigh at the recollection of a lady left behind, i here is some talk of serious consequences following the short friendships, and of ladies waitmg on this side for the word to come from New Zealand and bid them follow. However, Ido not think that much is likely to come of it, and the parsons will not reap a rich harvest bv marrvmg all the susceptible colonial soldiers to fair English maidens. At the railway station additional aiat was given the departure by the presence of the drum and fife band of the f. Grenadiers, who, as the train moved out of the station, played ‘Auld lang syne.’ . the troops broke barracks on the 7th inst. they have been in various parts of Eng-

iaiul. Cobnd Pitt has been taking little jaums into the country, and Lieutenant Pringle has been fo.lowing bis example. Captain Robin has been utilising his time to a very large extent m _ increasing his already extensive stock of military knowledge. The latter wished to visit miH^r. UC er f ! 'i le ? to r see a littlc of French milu..ry life but he found the time at his disposal too short Captain Tuuiarangi and his uunnA men have been for the most part little onset London, but the white-skinned mounted riles have been in all parts of the Kingdom Ihe majority of them, however, for the best part m a week tasted the sweets of a typical Fng ish watering place-namoly, Scarborough, fomo fotuteen having determined to see a little more of the beauties of England, Ho r ? ve , a!e f , to . in glimpses during the last fortnight, did not sail by the Kua.uno yesterday, but wait over for the Mataura, which leaves in throe weeks. The following are the fourteen whose inclinations lead them „o prolong their stay in England three weeks, and whose duties admit of their Sergeant Somerville, Alexandra Lav.hy, Trooper Semes, Hawera M.H. • 1 roopers Glover, Hudson, and Grand, Here! taungata, BLR. ; Corporals Hazlett and Freeman and Trooper Grieve, Otago HussarsTroopers Em,r-.Jopp, an ,j Boyd, South’and M.K. .Corporal Hay don add Trooper Crosslev Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry ; and Sei-eant Roll, North Otago M. R. ° eant at tll ?-S uahinc the men ‘ , , a ,f '*7 diflerent accommodation was I ‘tV” th ! tnp to New Zealand to what the\ had to put up with coming Homo. For tliis tney have largely to thank the Agentgeneral, who has done everything in his power tor them while in England, and I think they Wd g i.- V 5PP rec > ate "hat l> a -s been done. Mr Campbell, of the Agent-General's office, has had a great part of the work of looking affcpr the contingent, and he has carried out everythin" he has had to do admirably. * ° It was intended to present Captain Robin f | umi . nat ® J a 'W r ess before the steamer sailuh but owing to the rush it was found impossible ro make the pr. sentation at the time ii 1 '"S B . assured, however, that the tun r m S >’ T ’’ f °IV' S a s P° atan< ’mw recognition by tac men ot the way be has carried out his autms, would be presented before the anchor of the Ruahiue had been weighed many minutes. ?hf r t)7 In V™y t . llat Captaiu Robin was the man in the right place, and that the authorities on this side recognised his military knowledge was amply evidenced by his being chosen to command the special colonial body* guard wbicii. after the Jubilee celebrations, escorted the Queen to Windsor. Colonel Pitt’s position has been for the most part an administratue one, and this he has proved himself the right man to fill; but the details of the soldier's work has fallen on Captain R-bin, and it says a p-eat deal when Istate that, although hisdiscipline lias been strict enough to ensure a splendid state ot efficiency, there is not one of the contingent who would not do a great deal for “'the captain. The time came for the tender to cast off from the Kuahine at last, and amid the chaffin" of those homeward hound and those who were slaying bohmd tor a spell the necessary weepm" on die part of relatives who were parting passed unnoticed, a. little pleasure steamer sidled up against the Ruahme as she was getting under way, and the band on board played *Auld langsyno. Amid an animated scene of cheer- ™=' laughter, and genial “barrack” the New Zealand contingent took its official departure and the friends and those of the mounted troopers who remain a little longer in England returned to London.

THE QUEEN’ AND THE SALVATIONISTS. The thirty-second anuiverso-y of the Salva tion Army was celebrated on Tuesday last bv a demonstration at the Crystal Palace. It was an immense gathering and a unique one Fullv 60,°00 Salvationists were brought together at the Palace from all parts of the Kingdom, and there were also representatives from abroad Tne whole was a marvellous illustration of what the enthusiasm of one man, when backed by an unalterable conviction, can do starting from a small beginning, and it was no wonder that General Booth was touched and showed his emotion. The “hall mark ” was also stamped on the Array this week, for, in reply to a tele gram of congratulation to the Queen on her reign the General read to the immense assemblage a message which he had received from Her Majesty. It ran : Windsor Castle, July 20 ISQ7 To General Booth.-The Queen wishes’ to ex. press to all the members of the Salvation Arm'v now assembled lor their triennial congress heartfelt thanks for their touching message of loyal congratulations and earnest good wishnHer Majesty fully recognises the greft works so courageousiy undertaken by the Army on behalf of so many of their unhappy fellow creatures in different parts of her Empire The Queen fervently trusts that the Divine guidance and blessing may accompany all future efforts of the Army. ul Bigge, Private Secretary. “ 1 am a general now,” General Booth exultmgly cried, referring afterwards to the address of this telegram; “there is no dispute cow about that. No twopenny-ha’penny editor of a twopenny - ha’penny paper, no twopennyha penny curate can object any longer to my being called general when I have been so addressed by the Queen herself.” It was the final recognition of a vast and movement. D PERSONAL AND GENERAL. There are quite a number of people Home just at present from the Thames and adjacent goldfields Four arrived a few days ago by the Oroya. They were: Mr W. J. Nevill, who is on mining business, hut finds the chance of doing anything till the holidays are over veriremote, and therefore is spending most of his time in the country ; Mr P. Buckland, of the Thames, and Mr Montgomery, of Owharou who are mainly on pleasure intent; and Air j’ H. Fleming, of the Thames, who, I am told is at present in Ireland, and who is sure to transact some little mining business before returning. Then Air Morrison, of the Thames arrived by the Orizaba, and so saw the Jubilee a sight which the others just missed. Air Alorrison is also touring in Ireland. Air Ernest Alansfield, of New Zealand, is tie latest addition from the colonv to the membeiship of the Royal Colonial Institute. Captain Brunner and part of the crew of the ship Zulieka arrived in England ia good health at the end of last week. The Zulieka, it will be remembered, went ashore while bound from Glasgow to Wellington during a heavy gale and in thick weather on April 15. Mr Tennyson Smith has resigned the editorship of The Temperance World and Prohibition Herald,’ the double strain of nightly platform work and arduous editorial duties having proved too much for his constitution. Hia health at present is far from what it should be and lus friends are Suggesting that he should start out on another colonial crusade. The business of J. Bycroft and Co., Limited of Auckland, has been floated with a cauital of £IOO,OOO, in £1 shares, 20,000 being held In

reserve. The objects of this company, according to the statement of registration, are:—To acquire and take over as going concerns the property and business of J. Bycroft and Co., millers, flour merchants, and biscuit manufacturers, of Shortland street, Auckland, and of Messrs Sutherland and Co., tanners, fellmongers, wool staplers, and merchants, of Onehunga, and to carry on in all or any of their respective branches the businesses of millers, flour merchants, biscuit manufacturers, Tanners, fellmongers, etc. The first directors are W. H, Massey (managing director in Mew Zealand with £750 per annum), J. Richardson (managing director in Europe with £SOO per annum), and A. J. Sanderson. Qualification, £I,OOO. This company has been floated privately, the negotiations being carried on by Mr Massey. A most enjoyable garden party was given by the Archbishop of Canterbury and Mrs Temple in honor of colonial bishops attending the Lambeth Conference. The Lambeth Palace functions are always unique in the mingling of the aiistocratic and ecclesiastical element, but the features of Tuesday’s gathering were the presence ot so many American and colonial bishops and of the I’rince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of York. The I rince shook hands and conversed with a number of the bishops, and that and also tho winsome smile of the Princess will make the gathering a pleasing reminiscence many years hence in parts of tho Empiie far removed from England. All tho Australasian bishops at present on this side attending the Conference were present. Speaking of the Lambeth Conference reminds me that the discussions of the bishops in solemn conclave assembled are not for the public ear, and even the religious papers are not given facilities for reporting the weighty words uttered in Lambeth Palace.