ANGLO-COLONIAL NEW YEAR’S NOTES.

Evening Star, Issue 11168, 17 February 1900, Page 2

ANGLO-COLONIAL NEW YEAR’S NOTES.

[From Odr Special Correspondent.] London, January 5. The New Year broke amidst abysmal gloom. No specially good news from the Cape, save that our Australians and New Zealanders were continuing to distinguish themselves. London wrapt ia a uark, yellow fog, and King Influenza rampant.

What this means you in your temperate clinics cannot even surmise. To instance a small, but an exceedingly practical case, this branch London office employs four persons. I sickened prior to Christmas, and spent that festive seaSon in bed in the North, r turning (at what the local doctor called •‘dangerous risk”) to find my colleague strudk down. Meanwhile, another member of the staff (the lady typewriter) suddenly lost her father, her motner being likewise smitten with dangerous pneumonia, resultant on influenza. So that our gallant office boy now alone stands up hale and hearty. Nor is biir case at all singular. \ flew round likely places in search of help, hut London journalists are not much good in Anglo-colonial work, and the good Australian journalists who came Home nearly

all drifted on to the ‘ Daily Mail,’ where they get more for writing a paragraph or so than I could give them for a column. Furthermore, all other offices are likewise shorthanded through the influenza; in fact, the journalistic world (as I see it) is full of mourning, groans, and malisons this happy new year. ORDERS FOR SALE, CHEAP. In spite of your boasted democracy I fancy, somehow, that Australians are just *8 fond of titles and thoir cone iraitant decorations as we < f Clio Old Country, and the slimness of the Now Year’s honors’ list will no doubt cause grief in many a colonial household, where it was confidently expected that at the next big local function “ pa?’ would app°ar with the insigaia of the Order of St. Mi hj sel and St. Geo ge on his manly bosom, i ’ t a ” has money he cm easily decorate his dress suit with orders. A German gentleman named Walden, established in business in London, has favored me with bis New Year’s price Hat of foreign orders. He seems to have a

moat varied and attractive stock at prices to suit all pockets. For the wealthy I would suggest a “ Knight’s Cross of the Iron Crown of Austria.” This fine article Mr Walden can do at 60,000 marks. A similar article in tho Order of Franz Joseph can be got for 40,000 marks; but a much cheaper line is the Spanish Order of Isabella, the great advantage of whichfia that the ribbon is easily mistaken for that of the Prussian Red Eagle. For this decoration Mr Walden will accept 0.000 marks. He can do a knight’s star tf Raumania at 4,500 marks, a Portuguese “Christus” commander medal and ribbon at 6.000, or a mere knight’s decoration at The first-named is, however, much better value for the money, the ribbon being almost identical with that of tho French Legion of Honor. For those who fancy a Turkish Order he can supply tho “Medjidjie ” commander medal at 6,000 marks, a knight’s at 3,500, and an officer’s at 4,000 ; and the Persian “Sun and Lion” commander’s and knight’s orders be can run in

at 6,000 and 3,500 marks respectively. For 2,000 marks he can supply you with a knight’s cross, a Venezuelan Order, cr he Librrian Order of Redemption; and Bindry Papal Orders are also to be had at eqmlly low rates. la addition to these orders Mr Walden has also an immense stack of miscellaneous decorations and diplomas suitable for merchants and manufacturers. Tliese are essentially “cheap lines,” and among them is the cross and ribbon of “Militair-Veteronen Verier),” which is almost indistinguishable from the Iron Cross of Prussia. This article at 200 marks sounds a rare bargain. Mr Walden has no English Orders on sale, but English Orders can be bought, providing you care to pay the price. Tne cost varies. Sometimes £20,000 paid into tho Tory or Liberal political war chest will secure a KC.M.G. decoration, and from certain

comparatively recent events it may be gathered that an equivalent or greater sum anonymously donated for charitable purposes in which royalty are keenly interested will ensure a medal and trimmings. FAVORABLE AUSPICES FOR FEDERATION. ‘The Times,’ in an appreciative leader, says that the chief gleam of light in the Colonial Empire during the year just closed was the passing or the Commonwealth Bill. “ There was a time whoa this movement would have been viewed by anxiety,” but, in spite of the predictions of evil circulated wneu the Dominion of Canada was formed oet of fragments, physically far apart, and with no history or traditions in common, the Canadian Constitution works with surprising smoothness, and ‘ The Times ’ sees no reason why similar results should not attend the efforts to establish an Australian Federation.

“We are (says The Times’) about to see the beginning, under the most favorable auspices, in a time of great material prosperity, and with the good wishes of the Old Country, of a Commonwealth lo the permanence and greatness of which there are no limits. No difficulties between England and the colonies imperil the success of the experiment. The questions which have made some colonists hold back or give only a lukewarm approval are few, and not of the first order. The warmest advocate of Federation could nob have hoped that the new policy would be initiated in more propitious circumstances. The long discussion, which now sesms coming to an end, has, on the whole, been worthy of the issues Involved, and speaks well for the political capacity of the Australian people. Writing, not. with reference to the debates of any one Parliament in Australia, bub having in view the general character of the discussion, we have noticed little of what a recent Australian writer terms “ the pathetic pettiness of intercolonial jealousies ” ; and we have found in some of the statesmen who have conducted the discussion a clear recognition of higher ideals which may be advanced by union on federal lines. There has been much talk about encouraging the growth of a national and patriotic spirit, much has been said of the power which will belong to the Federal Parliament, and of the larger

place which the Australian colonies will have in the eye of the world when they speak with one voice on important questions. But we find few traces of an aggressive patriotic soirit, few symptoms of love of a scheme of Federation, because it opens the door to a policy of adventure. A great constitutional change has been discussed and carried out in a calm, reasonable spirit.” Although the new Constitution has not all the safeguards which the founders of the American Constitution sought to impose on the popular will, and although undoubtedly Australian democracy will have chances of doing mischief if it turns out to be foolish and adventurous, ‘The Times’ has not much fear on this head. More than most of our colonies, Australia is peopled by those of our own race, who are used to selfgovernment, and respect law, order, and individual freedom. They have, as was natural, introduced many innovations; for example, the referendum, so foreign to English ideas, has been for some time familiar to the Tasmanian voter. Bnt we have eon-

fidence, which the history of the discussion of the Federation Bill confirms, that our colonists will work out new problems on the old lines of freedom and self-government. NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT INSURANCE. Mr Wilson at the same time takes the opportunity of criticising the report of the New Zealand Government Insurance Commissioner for 1898. He admits that on the whole it seems to be a flourishing department, but considers the cost of conducting it excessive. The working expenditure —nearly 22 per cent, -cf the premium in-

come— reaches “a height of extravagance that almost rivals the big American offices familiar to us here.” He asks why the Government “require to pay £15,000 a year for commissions to people or obtain business,” and considers the commission prodigious in relation to the new business. The investments, too, do not strike him “as being very realisable, or altogether firstclass.” The lapses, too, were pretty considerable, for they, with the surrenders, represented nearly 35 per cent, of the number of now policies issued within the year.

“ SOCIALIST EXTREMISTS ” AND “ FADDIST NONENTITIES.” The ‘ London Letter ’ says the result of the General Election in New Zealand is to

reduce to a mere remnant that section of the House who represent the wealthy and educated classes and who preserve the best political traditions of the colony. Mr Scobie Mackenzie, the ablest by far the most statesmanlike man in the last Parliament, was rejected; and so was Mr Buchanan, the great cattle-breeder and high farmer, who for many years has been regarded as the foremost type of the substan-

tial experienced and enlightened settler and the weightiest authority on pastoral and agricultural questions. The colony is almost wholly given over now to S <oiahst extremists and every description of faddist nonentity. Captain Russell and the Hon. William Rolleston are the only two left of the men who adorned the New Zealand Parliament in its palmy days. It speaks well for their public spirit that they should still take the trouble to obtain a seat in such a gallery.—[This must have been written before the recount of votes, which resulted in Mr Rolleston' being ousted by one vote.—Ed. E.S ] And yet the colony flourishes, and its legislation is slowly adopted by other countries !

SOME LAWS THAT CAME INTO FORCE ON Ist JANUARY, 1900. Some interesting laws came into force on New Year’s Day. The German law of 1900 on sickness and old age insurance will no doubt be studied with interest by all those colonies which are thinking ol making pro-vision-for old age. Compulsory insurance is the remedy adopted by the German Empire, and the following summary of the Statute, given in u.e ‘ Daily Telegraph,’ gives some idea of the way it is worked : Except in specially defined cases, compul-

sory insurance is insisted on. Tnose persons are not liable to obligatory insurance whose powers of work have been permanently diminished in consequence of old uge, illness, or any other infirmity to the point that they cannot any longer earn a third of their average wages. This state is assumed to exist when they are no longer in a position to earn by work—reasonably cor-

responding to their powers and capabilities derived from their training and previous calling—a third of the money which similar persona living in the same neighborhood, and enjoying good bodily and mental condition,

aro accustomed to earn by work after similar training. Persona who have reached the age of seventy are'also exempt. The right to a pension for infirmity is cancelled when tho incapacity is brought about intentionally. On the other hand, if the incapacity is caused by a crime, then the pension can be entirely or partially withdrawn, or, under certain circumstances, it may be paid wholly or in part to the family of the insured person.

The new law confers on the Insurance Institution tho right to take over the care of tho sick generally, without regard to what particular fund of the institution tney may belong to. During the sick person’s recovery those persons who were usually supported by him out of his earnings ate to receive certain support within strict limits. Of course, before a person is entitled to an old ago or infirmity pension he must have paid in a given number of weekly contributions, which contributions vary in value according to the social position of the person interested. In each instance the Empire grants a fixed minimum of £5. In future the pensions may be made in advance, in monthly instalments. With regard to the reckoning in of weeks of sickness, there is a fresh provision made that the period of convalescence following on an illness is to be treated the same as tho period of illness itself, and that the convalescent period after child-birth is to be counted in the same

way up to six weeks after an ordinary confinement. An interesting provision of the new law is that insured female persons who marry ace entitled to claim the reimbursement of half of their contributions if the same have been made for at least 200 weeks before trie marriage takes phee. In the same way tho right of a widow and of her children under fifteen years of ago, left by an iesured person, to the reimbursement of half the contributions is made dependent upon a minimum number of 200 contributory weeks. With re.ard to the maximum amount of the pensions, the former regulations are more or less the same, with the exception of one important alteration. And this is that in future tho maximum point is only reached when the infirmity pension, together with

an accident pension and other pensions, amounts to seven and a-half times the initial or fixed sum granted to each class of the infirmity pensions. In the present law the maximum is fixed for all pension - holders alike at 415 marks (£2O 15j). In Great Britain the principal Acts coming into force arc the Seats for Shop Assistants Act, which makes it necessary for every shopkeeper who employs female assistants to provide seals behind the counter in the proportion of not less than one seat to every three female assistants employed in each room ; the Infectious Diseases (Notification) Extension Act, which renders it obligatory upon the heads of families to inform the local medical officer of health of cases of infectious disease breaking out in their homes ; and the Bale of Food and Drugs Act, which makes the law as to the importation and sale of adulterated dairy produce and other food more rigid. ARMS AND THE EMPIRE.

With a view of inviting discussion, the ‘ Genealogical Magazine ’ this month publishes a handsome shield, the “ Imperial Ecu Complet.” The shield is “ quarterly of fifty-six,” and includes all the important colonies and dependencies of the Empire. The first quarter is occupied by the Union Jack as the cognisance of the Empire. Then oome England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales ; then the smaller dependencies ; and eventually Africa (treated generally and in groups), India, Australasia (each colony being given a place), West Indies, and Canada. Many of the colonial badges are, it is sad to learn, inadmissible, and so new compositions have had to be made based npon their typical features, or with reference to the figures appearing upon the coins of some of them.

THE INFLUENZA—WORST EPIDEMIC SINCE 1892. The list of deaths in the morning papers is so long nowadays that one begins to see that another foe than war has attacked us that pestilence is abroad. This scourge is undoubtedly the influenza. Since its memorable appearance in Europe in the year when the corpses of a million Chinamen were rotting in the pools left by the subsiding inundation of the Yellow River, this Eastern ravager has yearly swept off our weakly ones, while it has seriously lowered the vitality of many stronger constitutions. The very latest method of cute is described by Mr Thornton, an Army doctor at the Can terbury M ilitary Hospital. As he truly says, “it is hardly a method for private practice.” “My plan,” he says, “is this : to smear the thirds of both feet between the

toes and the heels with ungaentum hydragyri, and then to start walking. As I had to continue work until after six o’clock, this was no trouble. I kept the socks and shoes (with a layer of thick brown paper over the inner soles to keep the shoes clean] on until bedtime, when I put on a clean pair of socks without removing the mercury, which was washed off this morning. My diet from lunch to bedtime was four basins of bread-and-milk. This morning lam as fit as ever, at eight o’clock eating a good meat breakfast, my temperature being below normal. Quite half a dozen times when attacked by influenza I have carried out this treatment, with the same results—never being laid up.” The Registrar-General’s returns last week

show that the weekly death-rate directly attributed to influenza has been rising steadily. Eight weeks ago the influenza death-rate in London was 14 ; in the week before Christmas Day it was 69 ; and last week it was 193, or almost three times the number of tbe preceding week. Many of the deaths recorded as due to pneumonia are directly attributable to influenza. NEW YEAR’S HONORS-A MEAGRE LIST. The New Year’s honors list is, as usual, most remarkable for its omissions. Mr Heaton’s name has again been left out, a circumstance which, I think, all sorts and conditions of folk are now beginning to consider a scandal. The member for Canterbury’s

methods may not have been impeccable—those of big schemes seldom are—but the fact remains he somehow or anyhow pulled it through, and the Government really ought to recognise his indubitably splendid service. I have heard that Mr Heaton re-

fused anything less than a K.C.M.G., and was told there were none available for his ->eotio' of Australia, As, however, the Hon. J. A. Cockburn and others are now thus honored, the excuse sounds thin even for an official one.

Sir John Cockburn, being an ex-Premier, could, I suspect, almost have claimed knighthood on his appointment as Agent-General. Probably he didn’t care for a title then, but his residence in London has convinced him of the truth of my oft-expressed axiom that an Agent-General must, a dozen convenient reasons, stand a step above the Anglo-colonial community generally. It gives him weight, especially (curiously enough) in mercantile circles. When dealing with the South Australian Office it is almost a pity that Mr Chamberlain could not or would not also give Mr T. Fred Wicksteed his long overdue C.M.G. I believe that the strongest representations on

the subject have now been made by Messrs Kingston, Piayford, and Cockburn to the Colonial Office. Everybody, in short, admits that this is a thing which ought to be done, but some preposterous piece of red tape stahds in the way, and before it Ministers and permanent officials (the latter especially) profess themselves helpless. The permanent officials in Downing street take care of themselves, be it noted. Sir John Bramston, G.G.M.G., was nob long ago Mr Bramston, C.8., merely. He was made K.C.M.G. in 1897, and now, less than two years later, climbs again to higher lienors. It is good to be a favor* ite. Lori Row ton (whom even our beloved Sovereign is alleged in relaxed moments to call “ Monty”) knows this great truth, and doubtless recognises that his P.C. resulteth therefrom partially, though he has also done excellent and unobtrusive philan-

thropic work. The Rowton cheap lodginghouses are the best and cleanest in London. Sir .Tobn Lubbo:k has refused to become Lord Lubbock once, if not twice, before. As you know he is a great authority on banking, invented bank holidays, and wrote a number of playfully didactic booklets on the ‘Uses of Life,’ ‘Pleasures of Life,’etc. —very good of their kind, and now in their second 100,000.