OUR ENGLISH LETTER.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 657, 26 September 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

OUR ENGLISH LETTER.

(FROM OUK OWN CORRESPONDENT.) London, August 13, A WASTED SESSION. _ * Parliament is to be prorogued this week, and absolutely nothing of any consequence has been done thi3 session. The great pifece de resistance of the Ministerial menu was the Reform Bill, proposing to enfranchise 2,000,000 of agricultural voters, but, as the House of Lords has rejected this wise measure, Mr Gladstone has abandoned all his other proposals in a fit of pique—at least so say the Conservatives. And indeed it does look a little like it. The longest sessions only last till the end of August, and it is now the middle of that month, and still nothing has been or can be done, says the Government, because the Lords are obstinate ; but this seems rather a lame excu3e, and it is difficult to believe that an additional fortnight’s legislation would have passed the London Municipal Bill, the Merchant Shipping Bill, and some ten others of minor importance. Ministers excuse themselves by saying that the Opposition is and has been obstructive, but then it may fairly be asked why have not the new rules, passed during a special autumn session, been put in force to expedite the business, backed up as the Government ie by an almost servile majority. The truth is the Radical party have taken advantage of the stupid opposition of the Upper House to bring the position of that august body prominently to the front, and have exerted pressure on Mr Gladstone to seize the opportunity of pointing the finger of scorn, so that he may go to the country and say the Upper House not only does nothing, but prevents others from doing anything, and therefore it is time a change in the Constitution was immediately effected. If this side issue is really made a plank in the Liberal platform, then the Lords have only themselves to thank for having dug their grave. Whatever the issue of the present conflict, hereditary power of legislation cannot long be supported or even tolerated in a free State, but if the suggestion of Mr Bright is adopted, and the power of vetoing a measure is only to be employed once, then undoubtedly a Conservative solution of the difficulty has been found, and Lord Salisbury will continue to exercise his authority for a while, but only on sufferance. Should, however, the Upper House be ultimately dissolved many able men, some, too, of the ablest in the land, will be ready to appeal to the suffrages of their fellow men, and it is the opinion of many that the noble Marryris would not at all object to this, as he would certainly be elected for some constituency, and be able to gratify his ambition of leading his party in a manner from which he is excluded as long as he is condemned to the cold seclusion of the gilded chamber. Great demonstrations, both in support of and against the action of the Lords are

! being held all over the country, and the political atmosphere is as hot as the physical. An autumn session is plainly determined upon, and if the Upper House again rejects the Franchise Bill, there will probably be an appeal to the country on the basis of a very Radical programme. EGYPT. The failure of the International Conference was due rather to the greed of Fiance and the suppressed hostility of Germany (for reasons about which more hereafter), than to any other cause. The Government, untaught, apparently, by experience, still refuse to grasp the nettle ; in other words, they are seeking to evade the only possible solution of the Egyptian difficulty, viz., by taking over the country, for a time at any rate, and administering it by the aid of English or Indian statesmen. To get over the difficulties of the moment, Lord Northbrook is to go out invested with the authority of a High Commissioner having power to examine into and report to Mr Gladstone upon the whole question. He will be accompanied by his relative, Sir E. Baring, a circumstance which has drawn forth a violent speech from Lord R. Churchill on the corrupt motives which have induced the Government to employ members of the great house of Baring to investigate delicate matters of finance. Of course no one listens to the noble lord, who is nothing if he is not abusive, but, as a matter of fact, Lord Northbrook, though of the family of Baring, is in no way connected with the great financial house of that name, which is managed entirely by his cousins. Neither, I believe, has Sir E. Baring anything to do with it. The reason of Mr Gladstone’s selection of Lord Northbrook is obviows enongh : that nobleman not only is a member of the Cabinet, but was also for four years Viceroy of India, aDd of course comes upon the scene with all that prestige and experience which that high office confers on those who fill it as worthily as he did. But the question which everyone is asking is what good will result from this mission. Everything ie known that can be known about the state of Egypt, and nothing that Lord Northbrook can say will help the matter a hair’s breadth. Meanwhile, Gordon is really to be rescued ; £300,000 has been voted for an expedition, which will consist of 6000 British troops. It is understood that a number of boats, calculated to hold twenty men each, 30ft long by Bft beam, will be taken up the Nile and used to convey the troops to Old Dongola or some similar point, thence across the desert to Khartoum, a distance of some 200 miles. Meanwhile Major Kitchener has penetrated from Wady Haifa, as far as Dcugola, in Arab disguise, a dangerous and chivalrous enterprise ; but he sends word that the mudir of that place is faithful, and has defeated the rebels. Much doubt of his fidelity had been felt up to this time. Major Kitchener intends pushing on for Khartoum, and trying to open communication with Gordon, a most hazardous undertaking, but it is probable that the Government will wait to receive a report from him before the expeditionary force is put into the field. GordoD, it is understood, can leave Khartoum in his steamers, but is probably prevented from doing so from reasons of humanity towards the unfortunate inhabitants who have put their trust in him. By all accounts he is doing well, and is only in need of money, in lieu of which he has issued paper bonds to the inhabitants, who appear to place implicit trust in him.

GERMAN COLONIAL POLICY. Just now there is a feeling of extreme irritation in Germany against England which finds vent in the semi-official Press, and as already remarked, probably actuated Prince Bismarck in supporting France against us at the recent conference. After all, the affair is ridiculously small to squabble about, and has been much misrepresented by the German Press, It seems a few Germans had settled at Angra Pequena on the We3t Coast of Africa, and had applied to Germany for protection in theit attempt to found there a small colony. The result of this was that the Cape Government claimed to have a word in the matter on account of some shadowy rights along the coast north of the Orange River up to Walfisch Bay. Her Majesty’s Government, however, on a review of all the circumstances, came to the conclusion that they had no just cause for interfering with the German settlement at Angra Pequena, but that Walfisch Bay and the islands were decidedly British possessions. It has been proposed to the German Government that a joint commission shall be appointed to investigate the claims of all British subjects at Angra Pequena, and that the coast line up to and beyond Walfisch Bay shall be under the control of the Cape Government, except at Angra Pequena, which would be placed under German protection. What Prince Bismarck’s answer will be is not known at present, but from the tone of the German Press, if it at all represents his mind, it will evidently be hostile ; the idea of a joint commission is apparently gall and bitterness, and so presumably is the notion of a coast protectorate, but really the country is nothing more or less than a barren desert ; there are no rivers, and very little rain falls. W hat, therefore, can have attracted the Germans to so inhospitable a region is inexplicable. The objection of the Cape Government i 3 explicable ; it is feared that an attempt might be made by Germany to colonise a strip of territory from Angra Pequena to the Transvaal, and thus cutoff the Cape from communication with the interior of Africa at a future date. Good sense may, it is hoped, prevent the quarrel becoming serious. The friendship of England and Germany is traditional, united as they are by blood, interest, and religion, but it is notorious that the Chancellor of the German Empire hates the liberal views of Mr Gladstone, and that the election which overthrew Lord Beaconsfied surprised and disconcerted him. The Germans complain of the selfishness of England, and imagine she wants to absorb all the unoccupied land on the globe to the exclusion of everyone else. There is no doubt that New Guinea has been looked upon by Germans with longing eyes, and the recent action of the Government must have been rather annoying to them. There is some tall talk of an alliance between Germany and France, but this is too ridiculous to be thought of, and is only the result of the overbailing of the pot. There is no doubt that the yearly drain that goes on from Germany of some of its best blood and muscle to English colonies and the United States is a very sore subject to the Imperial

Chancellor, and that whilst disclaiming any intention to rival England or France in colonial enterprises, he is yet anxious to get some benefit from the continued migration which at present only impoverishes the country.

STATE OF TRADE. The cloud which for so many years has hung over (our commercial circles continues in unabated gloom. The inelasticity of the revenue and the difficulty of maintaining railway dividends at their usual rate is a sufficient indication of this without other signs, and it cannot be hoped even that at present things will get better. The exports and imports, especially the latter, have fallen off amazingly. In consequence the shipping interest is seriously affected, and many men and vessels are standing idle. It is chiefly in the carriage of merchandise that the railways have suffered. Passenger traffic continues unabated and increasing, but showing a 3 usual tbat there is a remarkable aud strong tendency on the part of the public to travel thirdclass, the number of first-class travellers continually decreasing year after year. On the other hand, it is considered by many, business is being placed on a more equitable and judicious basis, speculators are becoming scarce, or at best hiding their heads, and it is very remarkable that the number of failures gazetted week by week shows an astonishing decrease compared with those of last year. This may be due to the new Bankruptcy Bill, or to the fact that business is really being placed on a sounder basis. The harvest at present promises so well that greater confidence is being felt in the city than heretofore, and I have it on good authority that capitalists will be more ready to embark in commercial ventures in about two months’ time than has been the case hitherto for many months past. Meanwhile it will be satisfactory to your readers to know that the dead meat trade with New Zealand continues to flourish. Last year S4l6cwt was imported in the month of July ; this year it has risen to 36,341 cwt, or more than quadrupled. lam bound to say, however, that very little seems to find its way as openly confessed Antipodean mutton into the butcher shops, so the bulk must be sold as English or Scotch meat. The display at the Health Exhibition in connection with this subject, limited as it is, attracts attention, and at the refreshment buffets chops of New Zealand mutton are sold and appreciated. ,

UNUSUAL HEAT. The summer continues to be remarkable for the absence of rain, and the unusual succession of fine days with almost tropical heat, the glass has registered over 94 in the shade, and 130 in the sun. Violent thunderstorms have accompanied this great heat, and several persons have been killed, amongst others, Lord Lauderdale, who on the opening day of grouse shooting, when riding acro3s the moors was struck down insensible, and has since died, his pony was killed, and his watch and chain pressed into a solid mass. Thick darkness has accompanied the meteorological phenomena in the North of England. At Locknegar, in Scotland, balls of fire were seen rolling down the hillside in the height of the storms. At Llanidloes, in Wales, a singular occurrence is reported. A lightning flash struck the shingle on the seashore, driving the stones up like a waterspout with a terrific noise, making a huge gap, and fusing many of the pebbles. At the same time a singular change took place in the face of the sea, which became green, and agitated, whilst over the horizon were rainbow colors. The thundercloud rolled away as suddenly as it came, and a clear sky immediately prevailed. Grouse shooting commenced as usual on the 12th August, aud an immense number of sportsmen have gone North, Birds are unusually plentiful, and strong on the wing. There is an almost absolute freedom from disease. The rivers, too, are well stocked with salmon. CRICKETING. The noblest of outdoor games is always full of unexpected incidents, and this has been well exemplified this season. Our visitors from Australia have just concluded the third and last set match against an All-England team at the Oval. The first was fought out at Manchester, and ended in a draw in favor of the colonists ; the second came off at Lords, and resulted in a victory for England in one innings and five runs to spare ; the third has just concluded at the Oval, and has again resulted in a draw in favor of the Australians. Some extraordinary play was shown. The wicket was in supreme condition, aud as the visitors were so lucky as to win the toss, fortune favored them from the first. The scoring was remarkable, W. L. Murdoch, the Auitralian captain, making no less than 211, P. S. Mcdonnell 103, and H. J. H. Scott 102. The remaining bats did not earn very much, but altogether 551 runs were put together. Against this formidable total the Home team managed to get 346 in the first innings, of which W. W. Read, the famous Surrey amateur, contributed 117, and Scotton, the left-handed player of Notts, 90. Following on, they made 85 for two wickets, and then time being called the game stood drawn. It was very remarkable that out of 22 wickets that fell on one side and the other only two were cleaned bowled. Following their defeat at Lord’s, the visitors went to Brighton, where they only succeeded in saying a severe defeat by playing against time, and making a draw of it very much in favor of the Sussex eleven, who put together 396 in their first innings. The match with Gloucester also resulted in a draw, but at Canterbury the Kehtish men succeeded in defeating the colonists by 96 runs. The interest in cricket seems to increase rather than diminish. The crowds at Lords and the Oval were very great. At the latter place 37,303 paid gatemoney, yielding £1865, of which the Australians take half, or some £SS apiece, which is not bad for three days’ work. A representative eleven will visit Australia shortly, under the management of Shrewsbury, the Notts professional. THE GREELY EXPEDITION. A frightful story reaches us from New York about this the latest of the Arctic Expeditions. The New York Times lays the charge of cannibalism against the survivors who escaped death. The remains of the unfortunates who succumbed were brought back, as alleged, in small iron boxes heavily bolted down, and these, on being opened, displayed bones picked perfectly clean. One man, it is said, was shot for stealing more

than his share of human flash, whilst fish were caught with bait from dead bodies. Nothing authentic is gleaned 33 aF^ e re P orta are contradictory, and the officers of the expedition decline to discuss the matter at all. It seems incredible that so terrible a charge is based on nothino, but it is incumbent on the naval authorities in the States to institute a searching inquiry. Lieutenant Greely can now claim to have gone a few miles nearer to the Pole than Captain Nare3, but at what a fearful cost none probably will now know.

IRELAND. The Emerald Isle is likely to be a tourist resort this year, now that quarantine regulations have closed half the Continent. The scandalous charges brought against men of position at Dublin come on for investigation before the Court this month. A strange story comes from the diocese of Tuam. The archbishop has received a confession from an informer in the dreadful Maamstrana murder case, to the effect that his evidence was false, and that in consequence one man has been unjustly hung, and four others committed for penal servitude. He brings various charges against Mr Bolton, the Crown solicitor, to the effect that he intimidated him into givingjevidence by threatening to put him in the dock unless he supported the ease of the Crown. Of course a thorough investigation must take place at once, but the evidence of" a man so low in the scale cannot well be trusted, especially as Mr Boltoo, being just now in trouble and bad odour, it is not impossible that the informer might have thought it a good opportunity to try and re-establish himself in the opinion of his countrymen. The Irish members have been less troublesome than usual this session, but whether they are really on better terms with the Government, or are reserving themselves for greater violence next session, remains seen. They openly assert that they will ho,*i the balance of parties as soon as the new electorate is formed under the coming franchise . A SHIP RAILWAY. Captain Eads is over here now, and stooping in London for the purpose of promoting his scheme for a ship railway across the Panama Isthmus. The captain is a rival of M. Lesseps, and is his equal in many respects, and his superior in others, for though calling himself an engineer, it is well known that the celebrated Frenchman is only such by courtesy, whereas Eads has constructed some of the greatest and most important engineering works in the world. Captain Eads does not hesitate to throw cold water on tho project of M. Lesseps, which, lie thinks, will never be accomplished satisfactorily. He has no confidence that it will be completed within ten or fifteen years, whilst he puts the cost at £75,000,000, and when finished it will require constant dredging to keep it open. On the other hand, a ship railway can be built for £15,000,000, and can be opened in three or four years. The route selected by Captain Eads is about 1200 miles north of Panama, at Tehuantepec, and far removed from the region of earthquakes. The gradients over the proposed course would not be more than 1 in 200. A very costly model has been made here at an expense of £2OOO, showing the general idea ir. working order. The cradle will be of steel, running on 360 wheels, and it will be got under the vessel by a floating pontoon. A portion of a railway with four lines of rails is attached to the cradle. As soon as the ship is carefully adjusted the pontoon will be pumped dry, or until it rises, carrying the ship, car and railway up to the level of the actual railway itself, when locomotives will be brought up, and the cradle dragged over the line. At the opposite end the process will be reversed ; the cradle will be run on to the pontoon, which will be lowered by admission of water, and the side supports having fallen away, the" ship will be free. The concession actually given by the Mexican Government is highly favorable ; the land is granted free for ninety-nine years,- and a million acres is given to the company besides. The present charge through the Suez Canal is 8s a ton, but captain Eads thinks 5s would return an ample dividend. The idea i 3 a grand one, and, if carried out, will revolutionise the trade routes in many directions. Many eminent engineers here approve the scheme, and think it practicable. A LEGAL QUIBBLE A question was asked the other night in the House of Lords about a little matter which has created au unpleasant feeling. When, some time since, the war at Suakim seemed likely to become a serious affair, the AgentGeneral for Victoria offered on behalf of his Government to place at the disposal of the Admiralty three small war vessels (gunboats) which had just been delivered, and were about to start for their destination under the charge of some naval officers whose services had been granted by the Queen. This offer, it seems, was in a sort of way accepted by the authorities at Whitehall, and the command; g officers when the ships put to sea raised alt ft the white ensign of the Royal Navy, in accordance with the section of an Act of 1865 which permits this if the services of any colonial war vessel are accepted by the Queen. Before, however, the ships reached Gibraltar it was discovered that an order in Council must first be asked for and obtained, and as this had not besu done signals were made from the station at Gibraltar ordering the captains to haul down the white flag and hoist the colonial colors, namely a blue ensign with badge and seal of the colony, and a blue pennant. By the time, however, that the vessels reached Malta the order in question had been obtained, and the commandars were requested to report themselves to Sir William Hewett, commanding the Red Sea Squadron, and offer their services to him. He, however, already had a sufficiency of gunboats, aud besides operations of a warlike character having more or less ceased the services of the colonial vessels were not “ de facto,” accepted, with the result that thev had to continue flying the blue instead of the white colors. The Admiralty declare that they were bouud by the strict letter of the law, and unable therefore to afford the gunboats the naval status desired. Lord Northhbrook, on behalf of the Admirality repeatedly declared that there was no intention to cast any slur uoon the vessels, and there is no doubt that such was the case. Indeed, this idea cannot be entertained for a moment, but it seems straDge that no way out of the diffi-

culty could be discovered, for Buch an unfortunate Berieß of legal quibbles is very apt to raise a feeling of annoyance not easily quelled. The journals here have severely commented upon the transaction. An effort is to be made to induce Mr Gladstone to bring in a Federation Bill for Australia at the autumn session, which will be summoned specially re Reform ; be has already given a half promise to do so, provided he receives the support and not the opposition of the Conservatives. These. latter, however, are so jealous of any. legislative triumphs by the Government that it is doubtful if they will put patriotism before party, but in such a matter it wilt be incredible if they do not rise to the occasion.