OUR ENGLISH LETTER

New Zealand Mail, Issue 767, 12 November 1886, Page 30

OUR ENGLISH LETTER

(FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT.

THE PROGRESS OF INDIAN TRADE. London, September 24.

The progress of Indian trade is frightening the Yankee. It is said that the extension of the Eastern trade constitutes a serious menace to the future prosperity of the United States. At least four-fifths of the American agricultural produce is exported, and most of this goes to the United Kingdom. England has long been obliged to purchase because she required it; but owing to the exorbitant tariff, her trade has been repelled. In consequence there has been an entire absence of reciprocity, and the moment an opportunity occurs for redressing this inequality by trading in markets which are entirely or comparatively unprotected, that moment the export trade from the States to England will drop unless the American farmer can adapt himself to the low prices which will at once set in. It is, then, beginning to be understood by the astute gentlemen in New York that the rival is likely to be India. Already the Hindoo is competing in the corn markets, and he fights with the advantages derived from free trade, lands as fertile as the Western States, and labor so cheap that Europe and America afford us no kind of parallel to it. The matter is of course purely one for the Yankee statesmen, but the argument is one more nail in the coffin of Protection, it is another shove forward in the direction of Freetrade. Meanwhile it is our duty at Home to consider well how we can best foster our great dependency. More means of internal communication are undoubtedly wanted, an improved system of irrigation, and a vast outlay on cheap railway extensions. When Burmab is thoroughly settled down, our Eastern possessions will be more or less consolidated, rounded off so to speak ; and except at one or two spots, such as Cashmere, the necessity—not to say temptation—to extension will be at an end. It will then be for the Viceroy of the day to propound a scheme whioh shall make India prosperous, happy, and contented, and united more perfectly than can be claimed to be the case now, to the great Empire of which she forms so important a part. The fall in prices continues in some quarters, and M. Labouchere acts the part of Cassandra, in predicting a further decline. ' Referring incidentally to the competition of India, above alluded to, he estimates that wheat will drop to 25s a quarter, and mutton, owing to importations from Spnth America and New Zealand, will come down to 3d a lb. This is an incredible statement, and may reasonably be deemed an exaggeration; at any rate 3d a lb would almost certainly kill the New Zealand meat trade. The Plate district, with its illimitable acres of pampa and its innumerable herds, might stand the strain, for sheep there can, it is said, be sold (with large profit to the grazier) at a lb, the over-seas carriage costing another Jd. This, if true, is bad news for New Zealand farmers • but at present, unfortunately for the general public, legs of mutton can no more be had at 3d a lb than £5 notes can be bought for waste-paper. Of course, if these things come to pass, the depreciation in land, enormous as it has become, will be only beginning, and the farmer 1 will be as extinct as the dodo, unless landlords consent to accept a nominal rent for their farms.

By-the-way, I see there is now the largest stock of frozen mutton in London ever brought together, viz., 140,000 carcases, and more on the road here.

It should be added that, as regards corn from India, the conclusions of the Americans before alluded to, and the similar opinions of Mr Labouchere just now remarked on, are controverted by others who point out that this year a somewhat dearea is being planted, and that of the grown in the Peninsula, viz., 30,000,000 quarters, only about 20 per cent comes to us. This, of course, may be the case, but I apprehend that it is not so much what appertains to the moment that we must look at, but the indications of the future. India has undoubted possibilities, and whether they are realised depends on the amount of energy and capital expended in their cultivation. BETTER TRADE. Notwithstanding all this talk about the fall in the price of edibles, without boasting that we have turned the long expected corner, there are undoubtedly present appearances of a decided improvement in more than one department of business. There is a steady demand for hematite iron, and rails are in request, though £3 15s a ton is a killing figure. Tin bars are also in demand, and Sheffield is doing more in cutlery, notwithstanding the nefarious operations of the Germans and Americans, who are selling bogus stuff under the guise of the Sheffield brand in all parts of the world. Note this, and beware of imitations. The shipments at Swansea and on the Tees are also looking up, and more important as evidence is the increase of traffic on. nearly all the great railway systems. Wool and yarns have improved in price, and Leicester is particularly busy in the hosiery trade. The leading manufactures, therefore, are decidedly improving, but whether it is a mere temporary spurt time alone can show us. The unsettled state of Europe constitutes a serious danger, but wise diplomacy may avert a contest which seemed a short time Bince almost inevitable. The Board of Trade haß, and not too soon, entered on a new course. It is issuing a Journal of Trade information which is to be published monthly, under the Bomewhat cumbrous title of "The Board of Trade Journal of Tariff and Trade Notices and Miscellaneous Commercial Information.” The price is 6d. It will contain reports from our Consuls abroad as to movements in foreign countries, volume of trade, prices, duties, &c., as well a 3 abstracts from the official returns made by Consular' Agents of other lands than our own. The present number contains a valuable monograph from Taiwau on the opening existing in China for the supply of stout cotton goods, and the Consul forwards samples of the articles specially in demand. We have been very backward hitherto in this kind of information. France has for a

long time past issued a similar pamphlet, the name of which at the moment I forget, but our own department is evidently now alive to the necessities of the hour. Mr Giffen, the eminent statistician, is the acting editor, and under his able superintendence there is ho doubt alljour traders at home and abroad will derive much-needed assistance in their arduous competition with foreign countries.

A COLONIAL INSTITUTE. A Colonial Institute, which shall be at once a permanent museum, an exhibition, and an institution for study and conference concerning all matters of trade and commerce in connection with the Indian and Colonial branches of our Empire, is the Prince of Wales’ notion of the best form of commemoration of the'Queen’s Jubilee. This proposal has been made by his Royal Highness to the Lord Mayor, who, in his reply, cordially responds to the proposition, and will open a fund for the purpose. How far the general feeling of the public will cotton to the suggestion remains to be seen. The success of the " colinderies ” as some people will persist in calling it, has, in common with its predecessors, been due as much as anything to the “al fresco” nature of the entertainment provided. No doubt information has been gained, but if only the learner or inquirer passed tho turnstile I am afraid the whole thing would be a pecuniary failure. It is the freshness and novelty of each succeeding show which improves the chance of success. A permanent exhibition of timber, of potted meats, of preserved vegetables, ingenious boats, Indian wigwams, or even carved work and ivory would soon pall, and would need a very active management to impart life and interest to it. However, it remains to be seen what form the proposition may ultimately take. EUROPE. Europe generally is in a ferment. Perhaps this may be sneered at as State news, and a question not inaptly asked as to whether Europe is ever in any other condition. Unfortunately, as long as the ancient military traditions continue to be handed down from age to age—as long as despotic monarchies override the just rights of the people, as long as territorial ambition sways the passions of rulers and ruled—so long there will be ferment, agitation, wars, and rumors of wars. Unfortunately there seems to be no kind of break in the dark horizon; the spread of true democracy is checked by the growth of socialism, nihilism, communism, and all the other isms, which are but the simulacra of true national, existence, and the growth of which threatens really by creating disgust to actually choke the spirit } of republicanism that might otherwise slowly be extending and whioh, properly and fairly developed, is the only thing that can make the mass at large see that their best interests lie in mutual aid and commercial intercourse. The fact that France as a peaceful Republic is a failure is no proof to the contrary. The French are a peculiar race, and, owing to their aggressive spirit, have over and over again provoked some dire and never-to-be-forgotten chastisement from a powerful enemy. Formerly it was England who wielded the iron flail of retaliation; latterly it has been Germany, and the chastisement inflicted atSedan was so tremendous and so recent that time has not healed the wound. If her destinies are nob directed by too ardent spirits, it is possible the bitter feeling may ultimately die, and it is certain that much depends on the action of Germany herself. All the materials for a conflagration are at hand. The French army is now more numerous than that of Prussia, and France is undoubtedly richer than her neighbor. Whether the intellect has been born to direct her giant forces remains to be seen. If this evil spirit could only be exorcised, the Republic would in time prove not only a blessing to its owners, but the prosperity which it brings would serve as a wholesome lesson to the neighboring Stateß now downtrodden and oppressed under a combined system of autocracy and military despotism. Since the murder of the Duke d’Engliien, I suppose there has scarcely been witnessed such a shameless and outrageous proceeding as the abduction of the Prince of Bulgaria. What renders the case the more disgraceful is that thi3 is but one of several previous attempts, openly made by Russian agents without a shadow of concealment, to upßet an arrangement solemnly entered into by the high contracting Powers uuder the Treaty of Berlin. Unquestionably Alexander was a "persona grata” to his subjects, and no word of blame can well be SDoken against his mild, but efficient, rule. But he has fallen a victim to the ambition of Russia aud the indifference of Germany, and what is more, no one at present seems likely to succeed him. Prince Waldemar of Denmark was the most likely individual, but with great sense his father declines for him the doubtful honor. All these things to those living 15,000 miles from the scene of action may seem matters of indifference, but the human family is now jso closely knit together that a European war, which everyone here sees clearly may be only a question of months, would have a lamentable effect on every civilised nation. I do not think I err in saying that for ourselves, even amongst the Tories, the feeling grows that England must be determined more and more, as far as her interests allow her to do so, to stand clear of Continental entanglements. The fewer treaties to which our statesmen attach their names the better in future. Let the war-dogs of the Continent tear each others’ throats—it is not for us to aid the unholy contest. IRELAND. Ireland is quite enough for us to manage, and, as might be Expected from the precipitous action of the late Government, the situation is more complicated than ever. The Parnellites are no weaker, and to add to the difficulty the Orangemen are becoming more and more intolerant and aggressive. The rioting in Belfast threatens to become a permanent institution, and unless the authorities find some means of grappling with the difficulty the sooner martial law is proclaimed and the city placed in a state of siege the better. The Government does not show much evidence of being able to put things straight, and it is a pity Lord Randolph Churchill could not persuade hia i

colleagues to meet Mr Parnell, and pass an Act staying evictions until the question of the capacity of tenants to pay the legal rent for their holdings has been fully inquired into. No shirt can be, by any manucevring, taken from a naked man; and if, as there is much reason to think, the agricultural depression be so great • that the judicial rents fixed by the Court in 1882 cannot be made out of the land, it becomes the duty of a paternal Government to step in and find a remedy. Thousands of people cannot,-without grave danger, be rendered homeless. The interest and, indeed, rights of the few landlords must give way to the necessities of the greater—the tenants.

THE DEATH OF MRS GIRLING. The death of Mrs Girling has removed from oar midst a strange and romantic character, whose exploits at one time excited much! interest—an interest, however, that has since almost subsided, except in the immediate district where she fiually located herself and followers. Her rise belonged to that peculiar class of phenomena which has been witnessed in all ages of the world’s history, but more particularly since the establishment of Christianity. Originally the wife of an ordinary laboring man, she seems to have become gradually possessed with the idea that she was entrusted with a divine mission to found. a new sect, a notion strengthened by the real or imagined fact that the singular marks known as the "stigmata” appeared at times on her hands, feet, and sides; and when, as she expressed it, she felt the influence of the divine call, she abandoned home and comfort to proclaim a new gospel to the world. After all it was a very harmless one, and she only succeeded in gathering around her about 150 souls, whose rale of life seems mainly to have been to live in common, men and women, yonng and old, simply tilling the soil and abjuring marriage. And it must be admitted to the great credit of,this-little, body,' that in an evil and scandal loving world no breath of suspicion seems to have ever gone forth against them. After great privations and suffering the party settled on a farm or holding, for which they paid a small rent in the neighborhood of the New Forest. Each member of the party, it seems, has his and her own little plot of ground, and as flowers are principally cultivated they have made the wilderness blossom like the rose. The experiment of returning to primitive conditions of early Christianity has been a failure, as out of the original 150 only some seven men and fourteen women are left, and with the death of the leader these too will now no doubt soon be scattered. Tho poor harmless creature believed in herself and her mission to the last, and amongst other strange ideas imagined she would never die. One is inclined to wonder whether the death of " General ” and Mrs Booth will have a destructive effect on the Salvation Army. Just now that organisation, though boastingsome4oooofficers, is in a bad way for want of funds, and the leaders have in consequence been obliged to proclaim a solemn fast—a kind of Lent, in fact—wherein everyone is conjured to forego some luxury or even necessity,- in order to provide the necessary funds for carrying on the campaign. Apparently, with a view to the indispensable sinews, Mr Booth has just started on a three months’ tour in the States. Everyone will regret to hear that Mrs Booth, who is a very remarkable woman, is very ill.

AN ORIGINAL ADVERTISEMENT. The following is so ingenious that if your readers have not seen it I annex it in extenßO from the Pall Mall Gazette of the 17th September :—"To be let, furnished, in a wellknown odd-and-ends old suburb, a little, quaint, very old-fashioned, countrified house, in new condition, with new drainage, balcony overlooking the Thames, and charming garden, with high walls and old trees behind (also kitchen garden) ; gravel soil, south aspect, and exceptionally healthy and cheerful situation; five mins, from underground railway and city omnibuses. Will comfortably house four persons and three servants ; bedrooms all good ; house warm and entirely free from draughts ; real old furniture, except beds, carpets, &c. But, alas ! there are no immaculate electric bells or hot baths ever ready. The ceilings are low, and the walls only panelled. There are, however, some famous old cupboards aud a real ghost in the strange old cellar, said to be sociable and a good judge of wine. In fact, only those are requested to apply who love old world charm and its solid comfort, and can dispense with * every modern improvement,’ except a good kitchen stove, and good drainage,” &c., &c. The rent is £l5O, and for myself if I could afford it I should be glad to pay that amount for such an attractive residence, and the society of so amiable and sensible a ghost. If be only would occasionally join in a mildi cigar, nothing would be wanting to perfect happiness. OBITUARY. Death has been busy amongst us. One of those who could least be spared was Mr Samuel Morley, whose name for a quarter of a century has been prominent in every good work. He was a thorough Nonconformist of the very best type, a sound politician, but not an aggressive enemy of the Church; in fact, he and Lord Shaftesbury were alike in every respect except their creeds and social positions. Lord Dalkeith, heir to the Dukedom of Bnccleuch, and a young man of promise, has met with a sad, not to say dreadful, end. An ardent sportsman, he was, toward evening a few days ago, pursuing a wounded stag, and in the eagerness of pursuit raced down a very steep hill in the Highlands, when his foot slipped, and his gun, striking against a stone, exploded, the shot entering his shoulder, and inflicting a terrible wound. The gillies ran to his aid, but so steep was the hill side, that in the darkness then fast coming on, the unfortunate man conld not be moved, and a friend who was summoned remained with the body all night, not daring to move. Death from bemcerrhage resulted in a very short time. In the early morning the woundedstag was found dead about 200 yards away. Have yon seen yet the autobiography of Martin Farquhar Tupper (Little Tommy Tapper, singing for his supper, Punoh once called him) the author of that quondam

celebrated work “ Proverbial Philosophy ?” I regret that I have not mastered its contents, but it is said to be the most amusing piece of garrnlouß vanity that has been published for a long time. The question, and it is a puzzler, is who reads Tupper? or rather-who did read, for it is admitted that no one reads him now, yet once he had a circulation which approached millions. Who is sufficient for these things ? In the volume in question Tupper (whose name somehow always recalls the celebrated Tracy Tupman, of Pickwickian fame) records joyfully the case of one William iriawkos who has actually read him (Tapper) no less than sixty times ! It would be interesting to study the mind of Hawkes and learn whether he has yet had enough of Tapper, or whether he is prepared to do tho “Proverbial Philosophy ” for the sixty-first time. Something more interesting than the career of Martin Farquhar is, however, promised us next month by Mr Murray, to wit the correspondence of the late Mr Hayward, Q.C., for long one of the leading lights of the Quarterly. Though a Tory of the first water he hated Lord Beaconsfield most cordially, and that noble lord repaid his compliments with savage bitterness. " Hayward,” he once observed, "is a human (parasite)” (he used a stronger word), and after a pause added, " because he lives on other heads.”