New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1877.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4958, 12 February 1877, Page 2

New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1877.

The telegram of English news per Ringarooma, at the Bluff, published ni another column, contains little Fhat is startling, 1 but yet there are several interesting features in it. The many casualties in the British navy are striking, and will no doubt cause a great deal of uneasiness in the minds of the public at a time when there are “ wars and rumors of wars.’’ If at a time like the present, when there are no foes to harass them, and the smell of powder is afar off, English sailing masters are not, able to keep their ships afloat, what may. naturally be expected in the hour of strife ? An English statesman seine time ago described the British navy as a collection of phantom ships existing only upon paper, and the many recent accidents through carelessness seem to point to inefficiency in the service, whether

it be in the construction of the vessel or the manner in which they are officered. Mr, Gladstone, n he has ceased to he the guide and philosopher of her Majesty’s Opposition, evidently still retains the ear of the public . , he is again the people’s William, , as may be gathered from the enormous sale, of Ins writings on the Bulgarian atrocities. Of the article on the Hellenic element in the Eastern problem we had intelligence by the mail via America, and papers to hand tell us that the contribution is well calculated to add even to the reputation he has already gained, as the leading advocate of the policy which is best both for humanity and for the interests of the British Empire in the East. His main argument is to induce his countrymen not to cast away the opportunity of attaching the powerful aid of the Greek race to the side of England. “ To them ” he writes, “I desire to point out tbat if they think it urgently required for England, m the. face of Russia, to establish an independent position and influence in the Levant, by some more enduring means than vaunting menace or mere parade> or proclaiming Bchemesofthemostunmitigated selfishness, theybave now such an opportunity, as never before was offered. Of that people f who still fondle in their memories the names of Canning and of Byron, there are in the Levant, we may safely say, four millions, on whose affections we may take a standing hold, by giving a little friendly care at this juncture to the case of the Hellenic provinces. They want, not Russian institutions, but such a freedom as we enjoy. They want for their cause an advocate who is not likely to turn into an adversary; one whose temptations lie in other quarters; who cannot (as they fondly trust) ask anything from them, or in any possible 'contingency, through durable ; opposition of sympathies or interests, inflict anything upon them.” The Spectator takes the same view and urges—, If , n ° ® ih ® r Power be the champion of /Hellenic freedom, let England be' that champion. The Hellenic nation, the natural rival of Muscovite preponderance and Pansclavist pronagandism, will repay that protection a thousandfold. If England rises to the height of her duties and her interests in the Hellenic question—even as Lord Palmerston desired fourteen y.ears ago—we may be certain that the confidence of 1825, so honorable and so advantageous to our nation, will be renewed, and that a larger Hellas will again proclaim that the Greek nation places the sacred deposit of its liberty, independence, and political existence under olute protection of Great Britain. Thp London School Board elections have excited a great deal of attention, and the result of them exhibits adyanced thought on the religious aspect of education. The retiring London School Board declared against religious teaching as a principle,' and discouraged denominational schools. At . the election it was sought to crush the secularist party by candidates who made rash promises of economy—promises, as a leading English paper points out, really given in the interest, not. of economy, but of denominational, or rather sectarian education. It was a tempting bait to hold put to , the ratepayers, that the voluntary schools, if better encouraged, would save them a very heavy expense, but it was not a bait at which the ratepayers appeared at all willing to catch. They could trust their Executive, even though that trust seemed to involve a heavier tax upon them than the proposals of the opposition. Conservatism on the point of religious education has not altogether been overcome. The ultra - secularists have not succeeded, but we learn ‘‘ the moderate adherents of the old _ policy have carried the day.” Considering the influence of "lawn sleeves,” it is surprising that the educational liberals have done so well. Turning to another subject, wp find the irrepressible Orton case again occupying public attention. If the Spanish sailor should turn up he will fill the hearts of the Claimant’s friends with new hope; but recollecting the many times the real Arthur Orton has turned up, and then silently and mysteriously “turned down” again, we are forced to come to the conclusion respecting the' Spaniard that we ‘‘don’t believe there is no sich person.” The Arctic Expedition, which started 1 under such favorable, auspices, having returned fruitless, is regarded as a failure, and Captain Nares, lately the hero of the hour, is now being regarded as an. Arctic culprit. For some time past it has been said that the facts of the expedition showed some very unpleasant-featureg. The -World hinted that this splendidly equipped and powerful expedition had only penetrated a few miles farther north than the much less amply provided and well-supported parties of earlier days. But while this was attributed to the inherent difficulties of the enterprise, no one was much disposed to grumble that the gallant men had succumbed to the invincible obstacles of the “ Palaaocrystic ” region. .And then there was a report that sickness and suffering had been occasioned, owing to medical and dietary neglect. This charge, it was alleged, was explained away, but nevertheless the fact remained that for all practical purposes the expedition was a failure, and grumbling is only to be anticipated. However, we hope that the eager desire of scientists may , be gratified, and, trust that the triumph will be, achieved by Englishmen. As a correspondent of the Spectator puts it, the Pole resembles many an Alpine peak which, after long resistance, was ultimately conquered. Consider: only the Matterhorn, and the number' of brave though vain attempts that were made before its 'dangerous summit-felt the victorious foot of man. Other peaks, long held impregnable, have' at 4 length succumbed to the ardour of perseverance and of pluck; and the summits of the Arctic Regions,-like the Alpine summits, must, sooner .or .later, become, subject to humanity. The account of the impose ing' ceremony of the proclamation of the assumption by the Queen of the title of Empress of India is most interesting. The „ imposing ceremony will not be without its effectsj on a people peculiarly sensitive . to display, and sincerely it is to be trusted that the formal allegiance tendered 6n this occasion is the outward sign of true loyalty. There can be no. doubt that the Indian question has exercised British . statesmen, during the past few months,j more deeply than is generally conceived.; They must ; recognise •; that. “ we ‘ are blowing both hot and-cold, and playing with edge-tools, when in Indiawe appear as the extinguishers of Mahommedan power, j in Turkey as its supporters;” and we are not at all surprised to.read stirring articles 1 in the English Press on the-risfe-of-re-storing Turkey to power. 1 ; It is pointedly asked: “Was there any rising,inJndia after the battle'of Navarinol None. But there was a.raost formidable mutmy after; Turkey had been resuscitated, and a piece of Russian territory handed over to her. It is not the Governors-General and the residents at Calcutta who can judge of the real feeling of the deceitful, hypocritical Mussulmans, but those lower down

in the- social: scale, or who live among them,, and- can - ' observe, the, effect ...That current events have upoil them ; and if Turkey is rescued from impending nun and placed once more-in-a position of independence, these predict a speedy attempt ini India to follow her example, arid get rid of the ‘lnfidels.’ Does anyone for a moment suppose that we are liked in India, or that she has forgotten the hundreds of natives _ blown away from guns during the Mutiny, or the indiscriminate riiassacres by our troops, when Hindoo women and children too often paid the., penalty, of. the treacherous slaughter of English women and children when it first broke out 1 Even now the Maholriiriedan cooks make 1 a practice of spitting into every dish before they send it up to their masters, as a sort of relief to their wounded feelings at having to serve ‘ Infidel’ masters. We keep theiri down by their fears, and nothing more.”