PASSING EVENTS.

New Zealand Mail, 22 January 1902, Page 34

PASSING EVENTS.

History is philosophy teaching bv ... amples. J **• —’Thucydides. * The Australian agents of «i Oceanic Steamship Company are “stand 8 ing by their guns" in the matter of the suggested changes in the San Fran cisco mail service, which are designed to provide fortnightly steamers both ways, but leaving out New Zealand and stipulating that we should connect with the Oceanic steamer by a branch line to Fiji. Messrs Burns, Pbilp p D( i Co. put in a special demurrer to the objection that lias been urged to the continued subsidising of a foreign mail service. There are, say they, “foreign-£ ers and foreigners,” and they argue that the objections which would apply to other nations have no force in the case of “an associated branch of the Anglo-Saxon race.” This is a specious and plausible plea, which is astutely designed to make an impression in the present position of international relations. Many recent events have given strength to the Anglo-American “rapprochement,” and the old saying that “blood is thicker than water” has no doubt a great influence in matters of sentiment. It is entirely different, however, when self-interest enters into a question. Despite the strong anti-Ger-man feeling that now prevails in Australasia, men of cool judgment are not blind to the fact tliat the Americans are far more formidable trade rivals than the Germans are or are ever likely to be. It is American manufactures and methods that are menacing Britain’s commercial supremacy; and .with the shipping laws of the United States aiding in the development of trade and in naval expansion, British command cf the seas and of oversea trade might very soon be made fillings cf the past. “There is no friendship in trade.” and the truth of this proverb, allied with the instinct of self-preservation, will cause British people everywhere to combine to defeat American schemes of aggrandisement at their expense. In the matter of these mail proposals, it is openly admitted that they are part c-f a broadly-conceived project to capture the growing tirade of the Pacific for American merchants, manufacturers and sh’n-owners. The question has been engaging the attention of the Commerce Committee of the United States Senate, which body recommends a fortnightly service between San Francisco and Australasia, and lays stress upon the importance of prompt action to secure a practical monopoly of the Pacific trade. A Shipping Subsidy Bill, proposing payments. of over a million sterling annually, is considered certain to pass the American Legislature. In all the cir- ' cumstances, it would be a deplorable error if in a fit! of pique at Germany, Australia and New Zealand were to assist the American project. New Zealand in especial cannot be expected to look with favour on a scheme that would deprive her of the visits of -the mail steamers, and would treat her as an inferior country. It is to be hoped that our Government is alive to this matter, and is making preparations and dispositions that will enable this country to secure proper mail services with Great Britain and America, independent of the American-owned line, which has such comprehensive designs upon the Pacific trade. If we are to give subsidies, let them be given to a British line.

Among the countries for whose trade there is considerable rivalry among progressive Powers, Persia just now occupies a prominent position. A recent cable message states that the Sultan of Turkey has approved of the railway to Bagdad, which is one of the avenues by which it is hoped to open up the Shah’s dominions to the European trade. At present Russian influence is said to be predominant at Teheran, and Russian merchants are pushing their trade everywhere, more especially in the northern districts, including Khorassan, °, no tho richest provinces of Persia. The British have the command of the south-western districts, through the ports in the Persian Gulf; but constant vigilance is required to keep that trade from Russian encroachments. Germany hopes t-o gain an entrance by way of Bagdad; but it is difficult to see how she can succeed in the face of the reported fact that not) only has the Persian Government bound itself- not to seek monetary aid from any other Power but Russia, but it is also pledged to grant no concession whatever, whether for the construction of railways or any commercial or industrial enterprise without first offering Russia the refusal. The correspondent of the London “Standard” lately stated, on good authority, that in the Anglo-Russian struggle for political influence and commercial advantages, England is steadily losing ground, except in Southern Persia, where she continues, so far, to hold her own. During the last twelve months the Russian Legation at Teheran nas, ho says, been largely instrumental i* l furnishing both fio tho Persian authorities and to the Persian people detailed translations of British reverses ami difficulties in South Africa, and has thereby propagated the opinion that a Powel

_ h ich cannot crush the petty Boer States could haVe n ° - °T nCG ?! variously contesting Russia’s strength Ind influence. To counteract Russian designs, a project has been mooted for a lieiv trade route from India to Persia, by way of Quetta Nuslnd and By the extension of the Indian railway"system to Ribat, on the Persian frontier, it is contended that British traders would be placed on an equal footing with the Russians, who approach northern Persia by way of AskaLd There is no reason why Russian, German and Engl-'sh development of trade with Persia should not proceed amicably. The chief danger lies m the restless intriguing of Russian emissaries, So are not content with obtaining equal trading rights, but are in addition ever seeking diplomatic advantages, exclusive concessions and territorial extensions, commencing as -‘leases” and ending in annexation.

, There is great searching of hearts among Australian State Premiers because of the intimation which has come to hand concerning their status and the treatment to be accorded to them if they go to London on the occasion of the* King’s Coronation in June next. The Premier of the Commonwealth is, like the Premier of Canada, New Zealand and other colonies, to be received as the guest of the British nation; but the State Premiers, like the Provincial Premiers of Canada, will simply be regarded as “distinguished persons” to whom minor attentions will be shown. This is perfectly right, natural and proper, and the discrimination is very much on the lines that were followed by the Governments of New South Wales and Victoria when they invited people from New Zealand and elsewhere to attend the celebrations in connection with the inauguration of the Commonwealth. A few Ministers of other countries were treated as the guests of the respective Governments in whose capitals the celebrations took place; but others, though invited, were informed that, while every attention would be shown them, they would have to make their own arrangements for board and lodging. But now the Premiers of Victoria and New South Wales have forgotten this, and are pettishly declaring that if they are not invited to London as the guests of the British Government they will not go at all. Mr See, the head of the NewSouth "Wales Government, claims that he should receive equal consideration with the New Zealand Premier, and the “Sydney Morning Herald” laments that a country with tw-ice the population of this is treated as if she .were inferior. These malcontents entirely miss the point of the matter and fail to see that no slight is intended. The plain fact is that Australia has, since federation, become a unit in her relations with Great Britain, and only the Commonwealth Premier is entitled to full recognition as a representative of that greatcountry. The other Premiers, though they may not care to own it, are mere provincial politicians, with no more standing than the Premiers of Otago or Canterbury, for instance, had in the old provincial days of New- Zealand. It is one of the advantages which New Zealand gains by pursuing her “lone hand” policy that she is not in these Imperial matters merged in Australia. If the State Premiers of Australia did not foresee that the present position would result from federation, it says little for their penetration; and whether they did or not, their present- attitude of “sulking in their tents” is childish in the extreme. The dignified course is to accept the invitations given them—their respective Parliaments making the necessary monetary provision for their visit to London.

. 1 11 King Edward’s speech at the opening of the British Parliamentary session many important matters were touched upon, some of them likely to give rise to considerable debate. A question of much moment, but one concerning which there will probably be complete unanimity of sentiment, was raised by the reterence to the conclusion of the Isthnnan Canal Treaty with the Government ot the Lmted States. The preamble o tins treaty, as giv’en in London papers to hand, sets forth that the United Mates and his Majesty Xing Edward esircu -to facilitate the construction 01 i s . hl P c a «al to connect the Atlantic and the Pacific, by whatever route may be considered expedient, and to that encl, to remove any objection which may arise out of the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty unrWf, const ™ ct ioi* of such a canal under the auspices of the United States, ott I r Pa 4 1 - ring the Seneral principle neutralisation established by Article ivuf J" 1G Clayton-Bulwer Treaty.” It M l he noted that the question o£ route olvl 01 T’ that tho treaty will apP y to either the Panama or the Nicara Plan canal. Article 3, Rule 1, secures all iMfT mOrC l al e( h ualit y of treatment to thVTreatv TO B , 1 * 8 regulations of to contrnT’t? d a fords peaceful sanction wise be bevoml'lr ° n i S -'"" ll ° mi S ht °therArtielo a y i discipline except by war. this staL C nh d i ieS tlle guarantees for any cimiSe irfinf 10 C *? al - regardless of relations -Thevi nat u nal or territorial tbo abrogation eri 1 ! doubfc that Treaty jM ,?•\ ° f *! 10 Clayton-Bulwer United States P h ni k - tri v mph for the '—Won

Powers during Her critical struggle in South Africa. We do not complain that the price paid is too high; but the fact of these treaties depriving British commerce of certain advantages is ail additional reason for pursuing an active policy of conserving British trading rights in the Pacific and refusing to further subsidise Americans who are striving to oust our merchants from markets which they now hold.