N.Z. MAIL PUBLISHED WEEKLY FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1889.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 879, 4 January 1889, Page 16

N.Z. MAIL PUBLISHED WEEKLY FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1889.

In the late English and Continental newspapers to band by TV ednesday s English mail we find lengthened references to the present condition of Europe in relation to the prospects of peace or war, with special application to England’s Daval preparedness—or unpreparedness —and to the remarks on the subject made by the English Premier at the Guildhall banquet. Lord Salisbury on that occasion plainly announced that it would be nepessary to spend a large sum in strengthening the British Navy, both to pmce it in a position to discharge the ordinarv duties of Imperial defence, and" to be prepared in case of any “sudden outburst of Chauvinism, which, inspired by “ uninformed feeling among the masses of the people, might precipitate war in spite ot the disapproval of experienced and instructed statesmen. The Times states that the guarded but weighty references to the European situation, and its governing conditions which attracted the greatest amount of interest in the Prime Minister’s speech, have been widely commented upon throughout the Continent. According to the Vienna correspondent of that journal the Austrian and Hungarian newspapers all remark that Great Britain s additional expenditure on naval armaments is by no means premature, considering that Germany and Prance are each preparing to spend an extra sum of ten millions sterling on their respective navies. The Premdenblatt says it is easy to guess what countries Lord Salisbury designated when he talked of “ the uninformed feeling ” which might, in a suddeD outburst of Chauvinism, bring on war. The same journal adds: “ In Prance there is, unfortunately, a party which looks upon war as a question of national honour. England, however, can have no interest in war, and this makes it all the more reassuring to see an English Minister Bhow that he knows how his country must be fortified against surprises.’ The Neue Preie Presse bewails the cost of maintaining the peace in these days, when Purope has 12,000,000 soldiers under arms, and it remarks that Lord Salisbury’s speech was not iu his usual optimist vein. It adds : “ Many have asked, like his lordship, ‘ How will it end ?’ but this is the first time that a Minister has openly raised this question, for it is one wMch Continental statesmen do not like to hear propounded. Our time resembles that of the migration of peoples, when whole nations went about in armed hordes. Nations are slowly but surely being ruined by these burdensome armaments, which Lord Salisbury and the English regard as provocation to war; while Continental statesmen keep on declaring that the accumulation of armaments offers the only means of maintaining peace.” The Deutsche Zeitung disputes the proposition that peaca endures be cause every nation fears annihilation as the result of defeat. The Triple Alliance, it says, ought to have been referred to by the Prime Minister as the most powerful of agencies against war. Tim Wiener I‘agblalt disapproves the speech, which proves, it says, that Lord Salisbury has not the courage to speak out his whole mind, ‘‘ It is all very well to rail at France,” adds this journal, but why was not a word said about Italy’s warlike passion ?” The Extrablatt also criticises Lord Salisbury’s utterances, remarking that much of the present condij tion of Europe is due to the selfish policy of England iu standing by unmoved while treaties were being torn up, and thus sanctioning the principle that might is stronger than right. The Italian military organ, the Esercito Italiano, is startingly frank as to Italy’s position in relation to a European crisis. The Italians protest that they have nq intention of attacking'France ; the French, on the other hand, affirm that they are animated by no warlike intentions toward us. I believe that both the parties who repeat almost daily the same declarations do so in perfect good faith. The war will nevertheless break cut on the first occasion which presents itself, since it is the natural and inevitable result of the series of events which has created the present position i.e,, the constitution op the frontiers of France of two great States, united and thoroughly nationalised, which limit her influence and restrain her power of expansion. Let us speak frankly. What is the good of deceivingeachother reciprocally? France will never, not even after 1892, be able to count on the

neutrality of Italy. Italy is led by the instinct of self-preservation to unite without hesitation her forces from the very nine of the struggle to the forces of those who intend to keep France in that iron circle which is the surest guarantee of peace : and France knows it well. A suecess of the French arms, facilitated by our neutrality, would be soon and bitterly felt by Italy. After a victorious war with many, war against Italy; after Berlin, Rome; this is inevitable. The Italian statesman, who in this emergency should hesitate an instant to take the only possible resolution would betray his country, a expose his name to the well-deserved vituperation of future generations. He would have led his country to certain destruction.

This is very plain speaking. Clearly if there is to be war Italy means to be << j n it,” The Times’ correspondent at Rome takes a somewhat gloomy view of the situation. He says “ There is a growing feeling that unless the forces that make for peace are soon shown to be overwhelmingly superior to those that make for disturbance, the crisis will not be long waited for. Silent arming and nervous preparation are the order of the moment. The Times asks : —ls it possible to believe thS the burdens of the War Budget in time of peace can be indefinitely prolonged and augmented? Nations are beginning to feel that “an armed peace, under the modern conditions of new inventions, vast outlay, and unchecked facilitiesfor borrowing, is almost more intolerable, because there is less hope of ending it, than war itself. The Standard goes further, and says:— “ There is a special reason why the language of Lord Salisbury should ex* cite some trepidation in certain quarters. Some few months ago the Prime Minister made the pointed and significant reply to Lord Wolseley that the amount of our military and naval strength depended not only on the military and naval strength of other Powers, but also, in no small measure, on our relations with those Powers, and on the probability of our being brought into collision with any one ox more of them. Is it not a natural inference to conclude either that our relations with one or more ol the Powers are not quite so cordial as they were when Lord Salisbury drew that just distinction in the House of Lords, or that there is at present more likelihood of our finding ourselves at issue with them?” But the Pall Mall Gazette dissents very decidedly from thelatter view. It denies that there is any justification for the suggestion that England's relations with other Powers had become less friendly than before, and says with a good deal of force “ The decision to strengthen the fleet is not a measure adopted because the atorxn clouds lower on the horizon. It is in no sense a menace to the tranquility of Europe. It is simply a necessary and natural measure of precaution justifiable by considerations which do not depend in the slightest degree upon the present grouping of the Powers or the outlook iu Europe. Our national insurance has not kept pace with our national growth ; our Empire has expanded out of proportion to our protective armaments, and our fleet is no longer a dIo to protect our shores, our commerce, and our colonies. Lord Salisbury has simply at last opened his eyes to the permanent facts, and acts accordingly. It is no doubt an unpleasant fact that further outlay should be necessaxy iu order to place our fleet in a position that would enable it to discharge the ordinary duties of Imperial defence. The fact, however, is beyond all gainsaying. The autumn manoeuvres demonstrated this. The Pall Mall Gazette, which is mariady Russophile in tendency, declares that the true source of danger to the European peace is not- Russia or Prance, but Austria, whose disposition to interfere in the Balkan Peninsula may at any time 11 bring Europe to the verge of war, and it asserts that the day an Aus trian soldier puts his foot on Servian soil, the peace of Europe will not be worth a week’s purchase.” Yet the likelihood of Austria’s interposition on behalf of King Milan, should an attempt bo made to depose him in favour of a Russian Queen, is believed to be very strong. On the other band the apparent _ progress made by Boulanger in Parisian popularity is deemed a sinister portent. The upshot of the whole seems to be that the European situation is almost universally regarded as having deepened in gravity : that war at no very distant date is considered almost certain ; and thas England has at last awakened to the urgent necessity of being fully prepared at all points to guard her Bhores, her commerce, and colonies. England may possibly be able to keep out of the first struggle, but only, in the opinion of all Europe, at the cost of subsequent isolation and friendlessness, and of liability to im-

[ mediate aggression at the hands of I either the victors or the losers, or both.

Some of the English journals just received are much exercised over the appointment of Lord Onslow to the New Zealand Governorship and his acceptance of the post. “ Modern Society ” is at a loss to understand what can possibly have induced him to accept the position. It says: “ Why Lord Onslow should have consented to quit the London which he loves so well is a question which is affording plentiful matter for discussion. He is well off, and h'.s acceptance of the Governorship of New Zealand is not, therefore, a mere excuse for retrenchment. He is essentially a Society man, an ardent ‘first nighter,’ the very soul of hospitality, and a ion viveur into the bargain. His house on Richmond-terrace, close to St Stephen’s, is well known for its unique species of impromptu ‘go as-you-please dinners, which are served at small round tables during the Session, to which friends of all shades of political opinion are heartily welcome. Yet this man voluntarily leaves London to spend six years, not in Paris or Berlin, but in New Zealand!” But the Pall Mall Gazette considers him distinctly lucky in having the cbauce of accepting the Governorship, and says “ The Bari of Onslow, who has been appointed Governor of New Zealand with a salary of LSOOO a year, makes his debut as Governor of a first-class Colony, being pitchforked over the heads of all his rivals into that position. He is quite a young man, being only 30, and had never done anything particular in his life beyond being a Lord-in-Waiting to Her Majesty in 1880, and recently serving as Under-Secretary for the Coloniss and the Board of Trade. His removal to New Zealand wilL therefore create a vacancy which Lord Salisbury will be very glad to fill. The Onslow family motto, Festina lente, has hardly been borne in mind by those who launched him so rapidly on his career as Colonial Governor.” Some English journals express the opinion that Queensland’s opposition to Sir Henrv Blake’s appointment as that colony’s Governor was mainly duo to envy of New Zealand s good fortune in having a “ real live earl ” gazetted to its Governorship at the same time.

A very general desire prevails that when the squadron visits Wellington as large a number of their crews as possible should land and go through their drill. This has been done in some other places on former occasions and the spectacle _ was a very interesting one, as well as being instructive to our local Volunteers. We hope this suggestion will he carried out, and prompt steps will he taken to ensure it. Some difficulty might possibly present itself in respect of a suitable place, but we helieve that if timely action be taken in the matter this would not prove insuperable.

There seems to have been a great deal of gross misconduct in Wellington on New Year’s Eve, a large amount of wilful damage being done by drunken or malignant roughs. On the morning o that day we directed the attention or the police authorities very pointedly to t.ie likelihood of something of this sort happening as a consequence of the impunity which had attended similar rascally mischief in previous years. The police ought to be able to bring the offenders to book, and if this be not done it will be the reverse of creditable to the force after the timely caution they received, It will be noticed, by-fhe-way, that in some other parts of the Colony fires were caused by the senseless practice of letting off fireworks in towns built of wood. All freaks of this kind need to be vigorously repressed, in the interests of the public safety and cornfort Surely the police do not intend to let Monday night’s proceedings _ pass unnoticed? If so, they will subject themselves to very severe and well-merited strictures. It will be a test of their capacity.

We have received from the local agent of the Northern Fire and Life Assurance Company a very neatly designed revolving calendar for the present year. A deputation from the Council of the New Zealand Educational Institute will wait on the Minister of Education at 2.30 this afternoon for the purpose of laying before him the resolutions arrived at by the Council at its present sitting. The free use of the Athenaeum Reading Room has been granted to those members of the Council of the New Zealand Educational Institute (now sitting ia Wellington) who are not residents of this city. An announce, ment to that effect was made at the meeting of the Council on Wednesday morning.

At the sitting of the Council of the New Zealand Educational Institute jesterday morning, a letter was read from the Parliamentary librarian (Mr Collyer) stating that the library would be open for the use of members during the period of the Council’s sitting. A hearty vote of thanks was awarded to the Parliamentary Recess Committee for their kindness.

The amount taken at the gates daring the Caledonian Society’s Meeting at the Basin Reserve on Tuesday was £270. The sum would represent over 5500 people, seeing that a number of youths were admitted at half price. Children under 12 years of age were admitted free, as usual, there were about 100 family tickets issued, and in spite of the vigilance of the Society’s officers no doubt numbers of people evaded payment by jumping over the fences j so that the attendance would probably be, as near as possible, 7000.

A new drug, of apparently great value, has recently been introduced into tlie market. It consists of powdered jambul seeds —the seeds of a plant, Syzygium jambp. lanum, or Eugenia jambolana, found in varions parts of India, the Mauritius, Ceylon, and the United States of Columbia. It has been well tested by the medical faculty in England, Germany, and the United States, and is said to be a promising remedy in all cases of diabetes. The action of the drug is to pi-event formation of sugar in the system, and so to stay waste ; and cases are on record showing that under its influence the specially restrictive diet, so obnoxious to diabetes patients, oan be dispensed with.

The torpedo and mine fields dep6t, which was established on the reclaimed land, near the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Station, in 1885, has recently been removed to the fortifications on Fort Halswell, where it will now be permanently situated. It was built temporarily on the former site during the Russian scare, as it was thought necessary to have a dep6t near the waterline, and. out of the range of the guns of any aggressive warship, the intention being, however, to remove the buildings so soon.as it was convenient to do so. The opportunity has now arrived, and the site on the reclaimed land (which was on tho 100 ft reserve intended by tho Government for an esplanade) has been cleared, and will again be available for the purpose for which it waa originally set apart.

Among the numerous enjoyable gatherings during the late festive season one that deserves mention as illustrating the good feeling that exists between those concerned, took place on Tuesday last at the country seat of Mr (W. H. Levin, at Featherston, whither, in accordance with usual custom, the staff of Messrs W. H. Levin and Go. journeyed to enjoy the generous hospitality of the head of the firm. Arrived there to the number of 60, the company were entertained at a splendid lunch, and sports and amusements were organised and entered into with great spirit, while the cricketers of the firm distinguished themselves by defeating a local team improvised to give them battle. The reunion was in every way successful, and oannot fail to have a beneficial effect in promoting a.good understanding between those who took part In it. The Foxton Herald Bays that Mr Langley found a bottle on the beach on Wednesday last containing a printed paper in the German language, stating that it_ had been thrown, overboard from the ship Luna, of Port Hamburg, Captain Huerdson, on November 3rd, ISB7, in latitude 46*5 south, and in longitude 72TQ east. A request was made that the finder should send particulars of the date of finding the bottle to the nearest German Consul. This has been done. Mr Langley says the bottle was found a short distance to the north of the bar of the Manawatu River. The Luna must have been on her voyage from Hamburg to the colonies, as the position mentioned, 46*5 south aud ?2TQ longitude, would show that the bottle was thrown overboard very near the usual sailing track to the colonies, a little south, but not much for the summer months, and it would be just abreast of the Kerguelen Islands. The bottle has thus floated undisturbed something over six thousand miles through storm and calm. Referring to our new Governor the Euro, pean Mail of November 16, says : The New Zealanders are congratulating themselves upon the appointment of Lord Onslow to the Governorship of their Colony, and well they may, for, though his presence is not very dignified, still he is an exceedingly genial and business-like man. Lord Onslow will, doubtless, introduce into the colonies that pleasant way of dining which was so popular among his guests a.t Richmond* terrace, If you found yourself his guest at dinner, you would not be seated at a long British oak table, but instead you would find yourself in a room in which were many small tables, seating four or five. In a quiet way you would also be given to. understand that the requirement of your host was that you should, if you choose, only retain your seat at the same table through a course, and that when that was over you might go and chat with a friend across the way. Lord Onslow will go out in a P. and O, boat leaving at the end of February, Before proceeding to New Zealand, his lordship, under present arrangements, intends to land at Adelaide and go overland to Melbourne and Sydney, making a brief stay at each oi these chief Australasian cities. His lordship is the possessor of a ooach and team of bays, and these will doubtless be sent to Wellington.

The Bishop of Wellington left town on Wednesday on a pastoral visit to Wanganui. Bradshaw’s Railway Guide for the present month is duly to hand. Sir Charles and Lady Dilko propose to pay Australia a visit about the beginning of next year. Spiritualism is very popular in - Spain just now, and the interest exhibited by the army in particular amounts to a “craze. Wc have to acknowledge the receipt ot a very neatly got-up office calendar for 1889 from Mr Andrew Campbell, local manager for the National Insurance Company. One of the last places in the world in which trade might be expected to gain a footing is Jerusalem ; and yet the British Consul at that city reports that varied industries are flourishing there, and that exports are increasing. At a winding-up meeting of the promoters of the Adelaide Exhibition on December 13, it was announced that there was a surplus of £261 on the whole undertaking. The guarantors had not been called upou to pay a penny of the amount they had guaranteed. Recently Truth said that the present Duke of Buccleuch is overweighted by the vastneas of his landed property, extending, as it does, to 450,000 acres in 10 counties, and advises him to take advantage of the recent legislation, and sell the Drumlanrig Castle estate.

An extensive cotton-spinning firm of Bolton have recently adopted a novel experiment in connection with their mills by establishing cookery and dressmaking classes for the benefit of their 2000 employes. The idea has been taken up with great heartiness by the workpeople, and the scheme bids fair to be a great success. A Danish officer, Captain Holstein, has invented a portable bullet-proof shield for two soldiers. It may be easily carried and fixed, and the men can then coolly blaze away from behind, either with rifles or a machine gun, without being picked off by anything less penetrative than a cannonball.

Inspector Thomson received a communication from Constable Roche, of Ekatahuna, yesterday, Btating that a man named Patrick Campbell, a laborer, was injured in the railway gravel-pits near Ekatahuna on Monday last. The man was buried by a sudden fall of earth while working in one of the pits, and was severely wounded about the head. The injured man was removed to the Hospital at Masterton.

Says the Manawatu Times : —The speech of the Mayor of Palmerston on the occasion of his reinstalment contains some points that require more than passing notice. In the course of it ho doalt briefly with the finaneial position of the borough, so far as the loan is concerned, and we have no doubt the figures he gave are correct. According to these, then, there is practically nothing left to carry out a most important work, that of sewerage, for which £5400 was voted by the ratepayers, IVhat are termed “ unforeseen contingencies ” have absorbed more than half of this.

Singular superstitions prevail in Paris, despite its claim to be the centre of modern civilisation. A woman, whose child was suffering from mouingltis, consented to try an old wife’s remedy, and she accordingly allowed a pigeon to be killed on the little patient’s head, in the belief tl at the malady would be absorbed by the pigeon’s flowing blood. The doctor in attendance learned to his surprise (so the Graphic says) that the practice is by no means uncommon, and that one woman in the Halles sells on a daily average ten or twelve pigeons destined for this singular sacrifice.

Local differences of weights and measures and moneys are among the last relics of barbarism to disappear as civilisation ad. vauces, says the Austialasian Ironmonger, In the matter of the weight of the material used in making cornaacks, there is an iDBtance of this. In South Australia the sack weighs usually 2flhs., in Victoria 2.plbs., and in New Zealand 2glbs. Now it is quite certain that if sacks of the same weight were used in all the colonies the coat of production would be reduced, exchange between the colonies would be facilitated, and to all appearances no one would be injured. This is a matter that ohiefly, but not entirely concerns the grain merchants, but our readers are interested in it as one of the lines handled by hardware merohants and dealers.

On Friday last a swagger, who proved afterward to be one of the regular snndo%vners who are (and have been for some months in large numbers) sponging on the country settlers, called at a house occupied and belonging to Mr R. McCauseland, at Doyleaton, and demanded a Bbakedown. Mr McCauseland unfortunately happened to be absent from home that evening. When the man demanded lodgings Mrs McCauseland offered him food, but stated they could not give him anything more. The wonld-be lodger refused the food, and against the lady’s opposition forced an entrance into the house. As soon as the man got inside, Mrs McCauseland picked up a heavy gorse stick and went for him vigorously. After offering considerable resistance the man was driven out in the road, but still not satisfied, turned round and used the moat abusive and obscene language to Mrs McCauseland. During the occurrence a messenger had been despatched to Leeston for Constable Simpson, who quickly arrived on the scene and arrested the man. It is alleged that he has been levying blackmail on the country settlers for a long time, the usual mode of operations being to arrive at a farm, house about dnsk, demanding food and lodgings, and, failing a ready compliance with bis demands, always using the threat of burning the house and property down daring the night.—Press. Keating s Cough Lozenges cure Coughs, Asthma, Bronchitis. Medical testimony .states that no other medicine is so effectual in the cure of these dangerous maladies. One Lozenge alone gives ease, one or two at bedtime ensures rest. For relieving difficulty of breathing they are invaluable. They contain no opium nor any violent drug. Sold by all Chemists, in Tins, Is l&d, and 2s 9d each.

Cool storage sheds are to be erected at the Spencer-street station, Melbourne, at a cost of about £50,000. Cooling storage sheds are to be erected at 170 country stations at a similar cost. A car for transit of dairy produce is being constructed, and if found suitable contracts will be let tor a hundred more.

Nominations for the vacant seat on the Harbour Board were received by Mr James, Returning Officer, at noon on Wednesday as follows Samuel Brown, nominated byJ. H. Bethune and J. E. Hayes; Joseph Nan. carrow, nominated by Wm. Cable and J. A. Plimmer ; and Tbomas Carter, nominated by John Callaghan and Andrew Williams. The election will, take place on the 16th instant.