The Evening Star MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1902

Evening Star, Issue 11684, 17 February 1902, Page 4

The Evening Star MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1902

Lord Roskrxky continues to “add his ideas to the common stock,” Ford Kostbery but in his speech at Liverat Liverpool, poo! on Friday he does not

appear to hare made a verr original contribut!on, or- to have thrown now light upon I;;- pcactica! inteitiors. While maintaining his general Hnpc: i.ilistri attitude, it is also necessary for him as an Oppositionist to criticise t!ie Government, and on this occasion he louifl a pretext in the recent negotiations regarding the so-called “ Boer delegates.'' It may bo opined, however, that a large majority of Imperialists arc of opinion chat the Government acted in this matter with sagacity, prudence, and reasonableness; and it is quite certain that His Majesty’s Ministers are every whit as anxious as Lord Rosebery can be to further the prospects of peace by nil means compatible with the honor of the Empire and the ultimate security of British rule, in .South Africa. As a matter of fact, the ex-Premier lias not. yet succeeded in showing ai.y substantia’ reason why the confidence of the nation should be transferred from Lord Salisbury, Mr Chamberlain, and the oilier members of the Cabinet to himself; nor is there any indication that such a transfer is imminent or likely. The "tremendous ovation” accorded to the Colonial Secretary in the City on Thursday, ‘Hu recognition of "his statesmanlike qualities anu patriotism “ ir. the true interests of the Empire,” may reasonably be regarded as fairly represer tativo of popular opinion throughout the country; and it may be doubted whether a General Election at the present time would result in any material change of the verdict of 1900. As for the ridiculous notion /mooted by fanciful quidnuncs) that the Government will fall to pieces in the event of Lord Salisbury’s resignation, owing to the inability of any one of h;s colleagues to hold the reins—and that Lord Rosebery would consequertly be entrusted with the task of forming a Ministry—surely the idea has only to be stated in order to be summarily dismissed. Fancy the Duke of Devonshire or Mr Balfour and Mr Chamberlain making such an admission!—and this with an Ministerialist majority in the Honse of Commons! If Lord Salisbury retires after the Coronation, it may be taken for granted that one of the three statesmen just named will become Prime Minister without any serious friction: probably the Duke, as such an arrangement would obviate or postpone the necessity of deciding whether the Colonial Secretary or the present Loader of the House of Commons has the superior claim. The Duke is neither brilliant nor vigorous, but he is sound, capable, thoroughly experienced in great affairs, and he enjoys the sober coriflcVwcc of the people. Though nominally a Libe-ral-Unionist, he is quite as Conservative as Mr Balfour, and there is no reason to suppose that any considerable section of the party would shrink from his leadership. Even failing the Duke, however—and it must be remembered that he is only three years younger than Lord Salisbury—still it is not likely that Mr Chamberlain and Mr Balfour would quarrel over their claims. They are nothing if rot patriots; thev are continually displaying their mutual good-will in a frank fashion that admits no suspicion of unreality; and at the City luncheon, on 'Thursday Mr Balfour took occasion to declare that his brilliant colleague “had gained a position in the world as a British statesman second to none.” Altogether, vo do not believe that there is the faintest prospect of Lord Rosebery's speedy accession to office in consequence of dissensions in the Unionist party. It will have been noticed that iu his speech at Liverpool Lord Roseberv repeated his refusal to write Home Rule on Ivs “new slate.” He declares that it would be an act of madness to give separate parliamentary institutions to a people who allow themselves to be politically controlled by men who desire to see Great Britain defeated on the battlefield; and though (like Lord Rosebery himself) we have favored Horne Rule in the past, wo cannot undertake to say that he is wrong. In connection with this matter, tho following pleasant passage from a speech delivered by Mr John Redmond at Sligo on January 1 will be appreciated by our readers :—“ The unfortunate Liberal party, “which for so long took on itself the duty “of lecturirg Ireland on her dissensions, “was at this moment beneath contempt. “ Rord Rosebery’s action was the one thing “ which caused him (Mr Redmond) to hope “for the Liberal party. It was probable, "and he sincerely hoped that it might “happen, that Lord Rosebery might rally “round him all those rotten members of “ the Liberal party who called themselves “ Liberal Imperialists, and who were “anxious to prove their Liberalism by “wiping off the slate the only record of “last century that they ought to be proud “of—namely, the record of the services “and pledges of the Liberal party to Ireland. He said let Lord Rosebery, in “God’s name, lead his ragged regiments “from the Liberal party. They were not “Liberals—they were a disgrace to the “name; they were Jingoes ard Imperial“ists. Let them go aid join their breth“rea on the other side of the House.” To bo an Imperialist, to honor the Flag, to desire the discomfiture of the King's enemies and the triumph of the Imperial arms —this, to Mr Redmond’s eye, is to wear the

badge of ignominy. Lord Rosebery does well to wipe Home Rule off his slate, pending the continuance of such disloyalty.

Mr Q. Lanrenson, member for Lyttelton, has consented to give an address at Gore on the 25th inst. on the land question. Mr J. J. Ramsay is still in the field for the Taieri seat, and wo have his authority for saying that he intends to go to the poll against all comers.

We hear that Mr N. Y. A. Wales has been asked to consent to nomination as a member of the Representation Commission, vice Dr Hislop (resigned). The number of patients admitted to the Dunedin Hospital last week was twenty, and twenty-six were discharged, leaving 100 inmates in the institution on Saturday night. There was one death (Richard Wilson).

At tho monthly meeting of the Kuikorai School Committee the head-master reported that the roll at present is 727, showing that 6i pupils wore enrolled and 53 removed since December last. The highest attendance so far was 661. The sum of £49 14s 3d had been received on account of school requisites and prize funds. We notice that many of our telegrams to hand to-day are type-written, and, of course, provide good “copy.” It is to be hoped that the innovation has come to slay, and that operators will be encouraged to become proficient typists. We understand that many of the operators in the Christchurch and Wellington offices take their messages by type-writing machines.

The Dunedin Navnls’ Hand, the Kaikorai Band, and the North-east Valley Band intend to organise three moonlight excursions with the object of raising funds to defray their expenses at (be forthcoming contest at New Plymouth, Mr Sullivan, in accordance with the terms of hi- letter to us, having placed the steamer Express at the disposal of the bands for the purpose. The first outing will be on Wednesday night. A report has gained currency here (the Ballarat correspondent of the Melbourne ‘Age’ telegraphed) that Lord Hopetoun, Gavcrnor-GVnera! of Australia, wiil shortly return to England. It, is alo stated that he was not at all pleased with the remarks made by Mr G. H. Reid and other members of* the Federal Parliament in regard to the address given by His Excellency on the occasion of the Foundation Day banquet in Melbourne of (he Australian Natives' Association.

The following sarcastic motion was discussed al a meeting of the Wellington branch of the New" Zealand Educational institute “ That (he leaders of the Insti(u;c be congratulated upon having carried a colon! d scale which, while it reducts hosts of small salaries by 25 per cent,, maintains their own unimpaired, or substantially increases them.’’ The mover stood almost

I alone, for trie motion was only seconded j pro formn, and the meeting was practically j uiviuimous in rejecting it. As in the rase of our colony, the vote to ;he Governor of Westraha for expenses I incurved in connection with the ducal visit i was challenged. The vote was- £2,250, of which £250 was for lighting and £2,000 I for spcri-'l entertainment. It came before 1 (lie Legislative Assembly at Perth on the s;h hist., and strong exception was taken to the grant, the leader of the Opposition moving it* excision. Eventually tho Premier, having failed to get the Committee Ita ,i.;iee to £I,OOO, asked to report progress 1 so that he might decide on the course to tii],;.. in view of the opposition of members, and this was agreed to. Wakari Rifles parade at tbc Roslyn Council (’hainbors to-morrow evening. Particulars of the athletic meeting to take place shortly in the Agricultural Hall are published iu i);is issue. Entries for the N.Z. Rifle Association close on February 20 at the Garrison flail, Dimed iu . The members of the Geisha Quadrille Club hold a successful entertainment in the Victoria Hall on Saturday evening last, there being over 100 couples present. Excellent music W; h supplied by Messrs Bcatli and Sutherland's string band, while the duties of M.C. were carried out by Mr J. Lyng. A meeting of shareholders in the Dunedin Siarr-Bo'.vkett Building SocieH will be hold in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Stuart street, on February 20. Lady friends and supporters of Burt’s Rifle Corps meet at tho room, Garrison Hal.l, on Wednesday evening. The annual meeting of the Dunedin Choral Society will bo held to-morrow evening at 9 o’clock. The annual meeting of the Technical Classes Association will be held at the Technical School on February 28. The Continental Boot Depot has just received a splendid assortment of gents’ Florsheim and Huxnanic boots.—[Advt.] Simon Brothers’ great boot sale is only for a few days. Every pair at sale prices for cash.—[Advt,.] Great sale of second-hand bicycles prior to stock-taking. Prices, £3 to £ls; very easy terms. Call on or write to the Anglo-N.Z. Cycle Co., 6 Princes street, Dunedin.—-[Advt.] Pearl necklaces are all the fashion just now. Mr Hendy, hairdresser, has large assortment from Is each.—[Advt.] Montague’s great annual clearing sale is now on. Parties furnishing should not miss tins opportunity.—[Advt.] Who wants china ? Then get it at reduced prices at Hall’s, “Under the Billies,” 188 and 222 Princes street south.—{Advt.] Everyone interested in artistic house decorations should inspect the metal ceilings and wail coverings at Briscoe’s. —[Advt.] Mr Morris, photographer, Princes street, I Dunedin, finds it is not generally known that his charge is one guinea per dozen for cabiI net portraits of children. Any extra charges Rare for vignettes, groups, large mounts, also ! tha various methods of printing.—[Advt.]