THE New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY). MONDAY, MAY 4, 1891.

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 9285, 4 May 1891, Page 2

THE New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY).

MONDAY, MAY 4, 1891.

With which are incorporated the IVeViwjton Independent, established 1815, and the Hew Zealander.

The firat great demonstration of the antiParnellist Party was made in Dublin on the 10th of March, when a large meeting inaugurated the National Federation. The four Archbishops sent letters of cordial approval, and the number of priests present was greater than was ever before seen gathered together in Ireland. Mr Justin McCarthy, who presided, set the example of talking of Mr Parnell with respect and moderation. “Of that unhappy ruined man,” he said, “ he would speak only with pity and compassion.” But he was against fetish worship, hero worship, and all dictatorship. Therefore, he asked the meeting to put an end to the National League by establishing the National Federation. The Other speakers followed his example in the matter of Mr Parnell, but the meeting hooted his name and groaned for “ Kitty O’Shea.” The mooting agreed to establish the now League, and at the suggestion of Mr Healy inaugurated a subscription list, LISOO being subscribed in the room. Tho organ of the party (the “National Press”) described the affair as “ a success more brilliant and complete than the most sanguine Nationalist could have hoped for, or the most despondent Parnellite could have feared." The “Freeman’s Journal,” on the other hand, referred to it as “ a ticket meeting, guarded from the ingress of the people at every side by police, and supplemented at the close by a savage baton charge on the citizens in the leading thoroughfares of tho city.” The “Freeman” made at tho same time a powerful move. It organised a new train service, which makes it the widest and farthest distributed paper in Ireland. The first day’s distribution was of the copies containing the above criticism of the opening move of the other aide. The verdict at the end of this fresh chapter of Irish history must be that the palm for tactics still remains with the Farnellites,

May Dav used to bo a joyous occasion. Tho young people danced round tho May pole, there was a “Queen of tho May,” work was the last thing that anybody thought of. All this is changed. May day has become tho day of special agitation in connection with work. The

new state of things was inaugurated last year, and many people thought there would be booming of cannon. Troops were mustered, police were got together, valuables were moved into places of safety, society prepared for the worst. But the worst that happened was a little horse-play in some of the Etyjopeau capitals. Thousands of workmen assembled and demanded the eight hours’ system, and from that day to this little more has been heard about it. This year the whole of Continental Europe, with the exception of Russia, has seen a repetitionof the demonstration. In France and Italy there has been disturbance. The Anarchists have peculiar views about agitating ; they made things lively ; and they got into trouble. They have probably discovered that dynamite and revolvers are the very best things to retard the gaining of objects. The circumstance will not incline the proletariat of other countries to bo warmly friendly with the dynamiters of the two Latin races. In that respect the May Day celebrations may do a great deal of good.

Bishop Julius, of Christchurch, has taken the opportunity of the May Day celebrations in Europe, to read the people of the colony a lesson. Wo gather from his discourse, that while keeping up to the times, the Bishop keeps within the strict limits of his functions as a churchman. His contribution to the Socialistic discussion is that if the world takes care to be Christian, it can safely be left to become anything else that it likes. Opinions vary as to the possibility of getting the Christianity in the Schools, hut there is agreement on the point that it can not be neglected in the homes. We can all agree with the Bishop that a people which loves justice, which respects all rights, which understands the maxim that teaches us to do as we would be done by, which in short is really Christian, can be trusted to embark ill any agitation for the improvement of the condition of the masses.

Aftek the report of the Shelly Bay Commission there was but one thing for the Government to do, and the Government have determined to do it. They are going to apply to the War Olfioe to send an officer of scientific attainments to take charge of the Colonial forces. W e have a scientific department which at present is in a highly dangerous condition to ourselves. We ought to put it without delay on a footing on w hich will he only dangerous to any enemy that may come against us, Nobody in the Service appears to have the faintest idea of the conditions necessary to the attainment of tills most desirable consummation. It is imperatively necessary to remedy that great want. But other remedies are wanted also. While the scientific officer is coming, the advice given by the Commissioners to take certain precautions should he taken without delay. When he gets here he must not be thwarted by lack of the necessary means.

Tiru Hon Dr Grace, in introducing the St. Joseph’s Orphanage to the notice of the public, mentioned a fact not generally known. It is that the site on which that institution stands is one of a number sot aside by Sir G. Grey, with the foresight which distinguished him, for the very good purpose to which it is conservatod. How excellently the Nuns do the work they have there undertaken, Dr Grace very eloquently described. These ladies are the mothers of the forsaken children. What more can be said foit them ? Having rescued their charges, they train them admirably, they give them a home, they fit them for the battle of life. They are appealing to the public to help them erect a building which will give shelter from the weather and room to live and work in. We feel sure their appeal will not be in vain.

The great question rising up out of the revelations of the Public Trust Commission touches the soundness of the bulk of the heavy investments made by the Trust Office ; for which the Colony is, contrary to the general opinion on the subject, not responsible. A management which is very bad in small things is not by any moans certain to be good in large ; is not even likely. When that management is dilatory, works with a cumbrous inefficient system of account, and is generally inadequate, its investments will not bo any better thought of. There is the gravest reason for further enquiry by the Commission. Things may be just as they ought to be ; let us hope they are. But they must be probed to the very bottom.