FIFTY YEARS AGO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20767, 9 January 1931, Page 8

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

EXTRAOTS FROM THE HERALD.

The following arc extracts from the New Zealand Herald of January 8, 1881:

Today's cablegrams show that the Queen's Speech is almost identical with the forecast > previously telegraphed. There is one important txcepiion: it is now stated that the Greek question will be substantially taken out of the hands of the contending parties—the Turks and the Greeks—and the extent of the de limitation of thi, Turkish frontier decided upon by England and the Great Powers. It appears that it was the intention of the British Government to have met the spirit ot discontent against British rule in the Transvaal by giving the Boers an administration which would have secured autonomy of the province. The rebellion which has broken out there has indefinitely postponed these concessions, until » such time as treason has been effectually put down. As to Ireland, it is frankly admitted that the social condition of the country is alarming, terrorism rampant, and that the Government requires largely increased powers in order to deal promptly and effectively with sedition and anarchy. The speech indicates that proposals will be initiated in the Legis- - fature for the abolition of corporal punishment in the Army and Navy. Nearlv all the publicans iri Westport were prosecuted to-day for permitting their nouses to remain open after 1 o'clock on New Fines were inflicted in th? majority of cases. The Dunedin Herald in a spirit of selfrighteousness. makes the following uncharitable remarks respecting the settlers of the North:—"We have no hesitation in saying that the moral tone of the colonists is lower in the North than itis in the Middle Island, and it will certainly go on deteriorating in proportion to the deterioration of the natives. tical questions have of late occupied fai too much of the public attention, tho social condition of the colony having heen almost, entirely neglected "