Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5364, 25 January 1879, Page 4

The marriage o£ lior Majesty's third son, Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, with a princess of the Imperial German house —and which is now fixed for the 7th February—lias been the Subject of much public attention in England. For one thing, there was a great deal of out-door discussion respecting the amount of the marriage grant usual in such cases, and the opposition in Parliament of Sir Charles Dilk e as representing a section of the Liberal party. The proposed grant was £10,000 a-year, in addition to the £10,000 already received by the Duke as a bachelor prince after coming of ago—of the grant £0,000 a-year to be settled on his wifo in ease she survives him. It was pointed out that the Duke of

Edinburgh receives the same amount, — £20,000 a-year ; the Prince of Walos, an annuity of £40,000 a-year ; and the Princess of Wales £10,000 a-year—to be increased to £30,000 in case of widowhood. It was stated that altogether there are twelve members of the Koyal Family, who receive from the Exchequer £107,000 a-year,—the entire annual cost of the Sovereign and family being nearly tliree-quarters-of-a-million. And as out of this the Queen's income is £60,000 ayear for her private puruo, and £325,000 for maintenance of the state and dignity of her Royal household, Sir Charles Dilke

is averse to the Treasury providing marriage portions for the Royal children. On the other hand, it was shewn that though former Sovereigns did not get such large grunts of money, they had considerable property which brought their incomes up to "fully as much, if not more, than the Queen receives." When her present Majesty ascended the throne an Act was passed by which her own particular income was fixed, and thereupon she surrendered to the State all the property that in former reigns belonged as a personalty to the monarch. And though it is quite true that under the Republican arrangement the President of the United States receives but £10,000 a-year, and the President of the French Republic only £'24,000, yet wealth is simply a matter of proportion, and the incomes of the several members of the Royal Family—considering the position they have to uphold—is held to be moderate enough, "in a land where millionaires abound, and where Earls and Barons, and even private gentlemen, enjoy incomes of eighty or a hundred thousand n-yenr." These views had their ertect on the House of Commons, where Mr. Gladstone showed the Queen's financial position was quite different from that of previous sovereigns. Sir Charles Dilke's illation was negatived by an overwhelming majority, and the grant was passed without a division.

Possibly there has been some disappointment that the recent example of finding a consort for one of the Royal children among the native nobility rather than in a foreiyn li.is nnf Iwmi followed in this instance. There is no doubt that the public liked to see a revival of the old English custom, which was not disdained by the Plantagenuts and the Tudors. But perhaps their principal feeling in the matter is the dislike of foreign complications, arising through dynastic sympathies and influence. They know how, in the last century, the nation was repeatedly drawn into war on account of Hanover, and there was a genuine feeling of satisfaction when, under the Salic law, that country was separated from tho British Crown. However, there is not much mischief to bo apprehended in this way so long as Queen Victoria holds the sceptre. Her practical good sense has always kept such influences aloof. There is no doubt that the Queen's real ability and clear discernment were for a long time underrated. The Gtielphs were not an intellectual family, and her present Majesty was not credited with being an | exception totliofamily rule. The excellent I tact and intelligent adherence to constitutional usage which aro characteristic of her reign, and which were supposed to bo too much for the wisdom and political knowledge of a woman, and a Guelph, were attributed to tho guidance of the Prince Consort. That was a great mistake. The satisfaction which her management of the sceptre has given is now clearly seen to be entirely due to the Queen herself. Always remarkable, on proper occasions, for abundant energy and will, and always maintaining the dignity of the Crown, yet she never stepped beyond constitutional bounds, and that it would be difficult to say for any one of her predecessors. So much tact can only exist with the association of much talent and knowledge of affairs. Then her reign has made its mark 011 the morals and habits of her people. Even the journal which she published some years ago was itsolf evidence of great good sense and power of observation. We regret, that it is only of late years that the Queen's real ability lias come to bo properly appreciated. Of course, there can bo 110 guarantee that the action of future sovereigns will be as serviceable and satisfactory—that they will shew the same political forbearance, and keep similarly apart from political intrigues of the neighbouring continent. These foreign intermarriages do not advance in public favour. There is now a double matrimonial alliance with Prussia, and yet, except Russia, there is 110 Power whose ambition and future policy excite so much distrust in England. She has attained the headship of Germany, with which nobody has a right to find fault. She has absorbed Hanover. Sleswigllolstein, Hesse, A-c., into her own particular domains. Xuiv, to extend her seaboard, she covets Denmark and Uelgiuin, which aro not German countries, and her annexation of which would bo dangerous to many European interests, and to none more so than to England's. It has transpired that during the last couple of years, overtures with this object have been made from Berlin, both to tho Danish and the Belgian Governments, and that they were rejected. In view of such things, people are watchful, and it is the possible future clashing of dynastic influences with the national interests, which renders matrimonial alliances with the Continental Courts less agreeable than formerly to the British public.

-Personally, this match for the Duke of Connanght is said to be everyway ciosii*ablc. The Princess Louise is described by Lord Bcaconstield as charming—" distinguished for intelligence and accomplishments, and a winning simplicity of thought and manner." Prince Frederick Charles, her father, brother to the Empex-or, is believed to' be a man of much capacity in military matters. He i-j credited with being the author of a very remarkable work, which has had no small share in ensuring the present perfection of the German army.

| \Vr: have on several occasions referred to the dismantled condition of the old Wesleyan Chape! in High-street, where two important Law Courts—tlie R.M. Court (civil side) and the District Court—have for a year held their sittings. Strangers to Auckland, as well as the general public, hive expressed astonishment tbat the Government should have permitted the place for so long a period to remain in a state so unfitted for fcho transaction of public business of any kind. It is true that Mr. iliihoiiey, the architect, was instructed to prepare' the plans for the distribution of the internal space to be set apart for Courts of Justice and public offices. The Hon. Mr. Sheehan is Minister of Justice, and upon him ia cast the duty of directing the architect to proceed with the work, and complete it before the winter season arrives. This is really a matter of urgency. Witnesses ordered out of Court hare to wander outside the building the whole day, or two or more days in some cases. Instances have been known were witnesses were compelled to take refuge, especially during inclement weather, iii neighbouring taverns. Such a condition of things is unfavourable to the eflicient, and even to the decorous, administration of justice. Now that the Hon. Mr. Sheehan is in Auckland, wo trust he will give the necessary orders to have the work done. The architect's plans are ready. There is really no reasonable exousa that can be offered for further delay.