OUR LONDON LETTER.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVI, Issue 2277, 6 August 1894, Page 3

OUR LONDON LETTER.

From Our Own Correspondent. London, June 22. THE WKIHHNaTON JIHiHOi'UIC.

Ts it not no/nothing disgusting to New Zealanders that tho Bishopric of ‘Wellington should ho hawked about in the Old Country in the manner it is? How many English clergymen have been offered the tJeo and have, on a financial inspection, turned their noses up at it I should hardly like to guess. The north has been canvassed in vain, and now their Lordships (spiritual,) of Durham and York are seeking in tho south for a successor to tho late Primate of Now Zealand. Their efforts are now being directed to persuade tho Rev H. Bickorateth Ottley, Vicar of Eastbourne, to accept tho much uncovetcd post. I hardly expect that the late Canon Pitman's successor will regard the oiler any more favourably than did Canon Banks, of Richmond. Mr Ottley has held his present appointment since 1890, and was formerly Vicar of Horsham. Should he refuse tho Bishopric, I trust the Now Zealanders responsible will relievo their Lordships from further action in the matter of finding a successor to Bishop Hadfield. Surely in tho Colony you have a clergyman fitted for tho post ? THE DEATH DUTIES COMPHOMISK.

The representations of tho Agonts(.ieneral anent tho death duties have resulted, as you have heard by cable, in tho Chancellor of tho Exchequer “ climbing down,” and tho compromise of last night seems very generally considered fair and acceptable. It is, however, somewhat startling to find Mr Hogan and the Colonial Party claiming credit for bringing Sir W. Harcourt to reason. As a matter cf fact they had no rnoro to do witli tho Treasury giving way than the Irish Party bad. It was tho very emphatic representations of tho Agenta-General, headed by Sir Westby Perceval, which carried the day. They had two interviews with Lord.Kipon on tho subject this week, one public and one private. I understand, too. Sir George Grey spoke strongly to the Colonial Secretary. A NEW ZEALAND Bi-METALLIST IN

LONDON. Mr Arthur McDonald, of Dunedin, for whom our reporters have been scouring the Metropolis for the past six weeks, has at length reported himself both to Sir Westby Perceval and at your London oiticos. lie is up to tho eyes in bi-motniliam, bus spent most of his time over hero investigating tho currency question, and returns to Otago more than over convinced that until this vexed question is settled by international arbitration, trade throughout tho world must proceed from bad to worse. Now Zealand is vitally interacted in this matter, and Mr McDonald hopes and prays your Government will wake up to its importance. Tho Colony is a producing country, and can only look for real prosperity through the medium of her exports. No amount of local legislation can permanently lift the cloud of depression hanging over the Colony. Her fixed debt owing to the outside world is a little over 08 millions sterling, upon which she has to pay in interest annually three and a quarter millions in a measure of value that has increased up to 50 per cent, since she entered into the contract, and yet not a murmur is heard. Is this because tho Colony can afford to bo sucked of its vitality, or is it because the mighty underlying cause ia unknown to her. If Mr McDonald could havo his way he would have tho currency question served for breakfast, dinner and tea in the House of Representatives with the hope of ultimately gaining the support of the sister colonies. NEW ZEALANDEBH AT A W.S. MEETING, The eminent South Australian Queen’s Counsel, Mr Nesbit, Sir John Hall and Mr Chas. O. Montrose wore present at a drawing-room meeting of the Parliamentary Committee of tho Women’s Suffrage League, hold at the house of Airs Hughes, of Novern square, Earlscourt, last Friday. Miss Cousins presided, and after some oratory on her own account called on Sir John Hall to address tho meeting. Sir John was cautious and advised the dear things to proceed on moderate lines. They should, he thought, avoid creating personal feeling or setting themselves in antagonism to men. Ho advised them to try and got a clauao into the Registration Bill giving votes to women. Let them proceed on tho same linos as they had in Now Zealand. Mr Montrose, whose enthusiasm for “ the cause " and strict temperance principles havo made him a great favourite at those gatherings, also spoke.

describing the manner in which the women's vote had worked at tho last election in —• New Zealand. Then a serpent arose in tho person of Mr Nesbit, and began to talk what someone called "horrid common-

sense.” It required, he said, considerable audacity to oppose women's suffrage before such a gathering, but he had the courage of his opinions. Female suffrage ought to bo squelched chiefly because it would injure the women themselves and lesson men’s respect for them. It was obviously wrong women should mingle in the storm and stress and turmoil of politics. Moreover, women were utterly irrational extremists, whom it would be most unsafe to trust with legislation. He remembered discussing matters with tho feminine leaders of tho movement in Adelaide. Anent temperance, ho said “ X suppose you would be content with reasonable local option. You wouldn’t stop me drinking a glass of South Australian wine in my own house.” " Oh, yes,” was tho reply, “ that is exactly what we should do if we could.” “ Thanks," said Mr Nesbit; “nowwe know where wo are, and what might happen under female suffrage should a minority of men and majority of women ever rule tho roast. Why there would be a social revolution!" Mr Nesbit’s arguments did not, I fear, carry great weight in Nevem square. Sipping well-creamed tea and munching muffins, tho “ Women'a-righters" were able to contemplate with equanimity the possibility of mere man having his wine docked. TUF, DECEASED WlEe’s SISTEE BILE AGAIN. The second reading of the Deceased Wife’s Sister Bill in tho House of Lords last Friday would have been carried but for the intervention of that smart but conceited lad the Earl of Dudley. It was arranged the division should take place ‘ before dinner, and the Church Party fully expected to ho beaten. So they might, indeed would have been, had Lord Dudley held his peace. There was a majority for the Bill actually in the House at 5 o’clock. Tho Bishops of Salisbury, Chichester and Bangor had not arrived, and several lay peers, opponents of the Bill, were likewise missing. l Unfortunately, whilst the Archbishop of Canterbury orated these lost sheep duly tnrned up. The speaking was wretched. Lord Dunraven .(for tho Bill) prosed at prodigious length, but he ended on tho right note—an appeal for tha women and children on whom the present system places a stigma. Lord Solbome (against the Bill) did not mumble quite so hopelessly ns usual, but seemed 'to say nothing now. Listeners were somewhat surprised to find him keeping clear of theology and discussing the matter on the simple issue of social convenience and decency. Ho talked, however, great nonsense. “ Sisters-in-law would not bo able to stay with their married sisters, and there are five millions of them,” he said, drearily contemplating this waste of woo. “ Scandal would enter many happy homes.” Lord Herschell’s was the only speech worthy of tho occasion —a strong, cogent piece of common sense reasoning that camo very refreshingly after tho farrago of social and ecclesiastical prejudice to which they had been treated. " The fact that they could marry would cause not more scandal but leas. What we have to consider is not tho case of those who get married in other countries butthoso whose lives are spoilt by deference to tho existing law. Think of the absurdity of being legitimate in Australia and illegitimate in England. As for tho religious argument, the doctors differ so who shall decide?” On each point Lord Horschell dealt tho ■ solid argumentative blows to which he has accustomed us in his speaking. Lord Dudley rehashed some of the old familiar arguments against the Bill in trite language; and then • tho Archbishop Of Canterbury ' talked for twenty dull minutes on Roman and Church law,' llow fatuous tho truly 1 ecclesiastical ecclesiastic can be! There is an urgent social problem affecting alike rich and poor, a problem painfully real and present to many homes, and all that tho pious Archbishop, the shepherd of our souls,” has to give us is a few mumbling pedantries of Roman law ! Hood heavens! What in tho name of nineteenth century common sense has Roman law to do with us. Tho Prince of Wales camo down as visual ■to vote for the Bill, and the Bishops looked like naughty children as they shook hands with him cn route to tho “ No ” lobby. EXSIIOV SELWYN ON MELANESIA.

As was generally anticipated a largo and very representative audience of P.R.C.I.’s, their wives and sisters and daughters filled the Whitehall Itooms on Tuesday evening to hear Bishop Selwyn lecture upon tho islands of the Western Pacific. 'The paper was the last of the season, and as a mainly non-contentions one, certainly one of the most interesting. The Council is to be congratulated, I think,' on the all round excellence of the monthly mental banquets of the past session. They have all been well worth attending. Ip introducing Bishop Selwyn, Sir Robert Herbert said it was fifteen years since any authentic statement had been given upon affairs in Melanesia. The Bishop’s paper gommenced with a lengthy reference

to the main geographical features of the islands, which ho said were occupied by two streams of people, the Polynesian and the Melanesian, tho one ancient and stationary, tho other still flowing. Next, bo reviewed the superstitious beliefs of these people, and then discoursed freely upon their foods, the agriculture of the islands, and the general features of life in them. This led up to the trade of transporting natives of the island to Queensland for labour purposes. The Bishop described in detail the system in vogne by which the conduct of tho trade mainly depended upon tho Government agent. This he considered a source of evil, and as a remedy suggested that it should not be possible for anyone to

5 make a profit out of the trade, ft was a Government business if it was to be done at ail. He suggested, also, that the Government should place a limit to tho numbers recruited, and he pointed out that Queensland’s best interest laid in encouraging a "rowth of population in these islands as may keep up and increase the labour supply necessary to the cultivation of the colony. Ho urges strongly also tho benefits which would accrue to colonies requiring black labour if tho vast Labour market instead of being a laud of wild savagery were an orderly civilised community capable of seeing tho benefits of connection with the outer world. The Government, ho declared, ought to back up tho private efforts made to teach tho islanders. He pleaded, in fine, for State aid to missionary enterprise. On the question of maintenance of ordor in these islands, tho Bishop condemned roundly the present cumbersome red tape bound and unsatisfactory scheme. To keep the peace on these seas, a system such as that originated by Sir William McGregor in New Guinea was wanted. A fixed point Commissioner was no good at all. A peripatetic officer was required who, with a serviceable vessel manned by a few bluejackets and 00 or 70 nativo police, could go

anywhere in tho islands, who should bo known, feared, and trusted, and who should be able to investigate carefully, and to wait and persist until ho reached tho wrongdoers. In conclusion, tho Bishop laid stress on tho responsibility which rested on the nation in our dealings with these natives. Did our so-called civilisation mean here, as elsewhere, the gradual extinction of tho native, or could we improve them so as to mako them helpful to our commerce, while reaping their own proper share of it?” Where Christianity prevailed in these islands the population tended to increase and infanticide and internecine warfare was checked. It was tho plain duty of tho Governors brought into contact with these islanders to minimise to tho utmost of their power the evils of that contact, and to foster tho good,

to make the people contribute to the cora-mon-weal, and share in it. Hearty applause greeted tho conclusion of tho paper, ft was renewed when Sir George Grey rose stiffly to his feet to open tho “ discussion.” The venerable statesman said he thought tho thanks of tho British public wore duo to Bishop Solwyn for his paper. Ho had not shrunk from stating what was wrong, and while doing so suggesting a remedy. Then Sir George spoke of his own researches into Melanesian history. 'He believed they were descended from some race who had occupied part of Africa, and the Polynesians, he averred, were descendants partly of subjects of the King of Mexico, an opinion ho had formed from the similarity in language, religions rites and opinions, cannibalism and their war songs. For ten minutes the southern G.O.M. spoke, and his voice, though feeble, found the backmost seats distinctly. As ho sat down the cheering was renewed heartily. Lord Carrington, Lord Stanmore and Sir James Garrick spoke thereafter, and tho Bishop having replied briefly, the audience wore at liberty by 10 o’clock. Amongst those present in the body of the hall, I noticed a number of New Zea-

landers. First to catch my eye was Mr E. M. Simpson, then in quick succession I “spotted" the Hon C. J. Johnston, Mr Walter Konnaway, Mr 0. Rous-Marton, Mr P. W. Chapman, Mr J. H. Bailey, Mr X. Stuart, Mr Strickland, of the N.Z.S. Co., Com.-Genoral Hornley and his daughters, Mr and Mrs George Beetham, Captain and Mrs Ashby, Dr C. Inglis, Mr G. Cowie, Mr and Mrs A. S. Otterson, Mr A. Hill Jack, Mr Stanley Edwards and Dr and Mrs Maunsoll. I almost forgot to mention that Sir John Hall was amongst tho eminent men favoured with seats on the platform. Sir George Grey, by tho way, l>as become a member of the 8.C.1. He bad been approached in vain by tho Institute whilst in Now Zealand, but put down his name at once when Mr O’Halloran invited him to do so on arrival Home. Lord Stamford was his proposer and Sir Frederick Young and Sir Robert Herbert supported his candidature. Ho was duly elected on Tuesday afternoon. A QUEENSLAND LADY ON NEW ZEALAND. Mrs Henry Day, of Queensland (a sister-in-law of that eminent dispenser of law, Mr Justice Day), well known in social and literary coteries in Brisbane, lately made a tour through New Zealand. Writing to her old friend, Mrs Patchott-Martin, in London, by the last mail, Mrs Day thus records her impressions of “ the Britain of the South ”;—

“Wo spent four months in Now Zealand, enjoying cool, fine weather nearly tho whole time. We were over a month in the thermal region in the midst of geysers, hot springs, pools of boiling slime, fumaroles and an all-pervading smell of sulphur. It is a most weird-looking place jjwith lovely bits of scenery thrown in.” A trip South, including a visit to Mount Cook and a drive through Otira Gorge is described, and then Mrs Day says : “ The people may well be proud of their land, for it is full of resources, a fertile soil, plenty of rivers, an equable climate, coal, all the valuable minerals, glorious forests, natural beauties and wonders without end. Wore I a young fellow seeking a land in which to cultivate fortune, my choice would certainly fall on Zealand.” . . . “ One heard a

good deal about female suffrage, naturally. Opinions were in favour of it, as a rule. Many ladies that I met had voted at tha elections, and certainly they showed no outward or visible sign of being in any way tho worse for tho possession of this privilege ; but it does seem an absurdity to extend female suffrage to the Maori women, many, indeed the majority, of whom are still barbarians. They do not, however, vote for Europeans, hut only (men also) for their own members.” LOUD EDWARD CECIL MARRIED. Lord Edward Cecil, of the Grenadier Guards, who was married on Monday afternoon last in great style to Admiral Maxse’s daughter Violet, is the fourth sou of the Marquis of Salisbury, and a rather heavy-looking man. None of the young 5 Cecils seem to inherit their father’s abilities. Lord Cranhorne has “ side ” enough for himself and all his ancestors put together, and is famous iu the House for bad manners. His younger brother, the Rector of Hatfield, one has heard good things of, but what, X don’t for the moment remember. Miss Violet Maxse is a beauty, and said to bo both witty and “ brainy ” a favourite Girton word also. The marriage was solemnised at St. Saviour’s, Walton street, and of course the elect of tho heau monde filled that sanctuary. Experts pronounced the bride’s dress strikingly simple and conventional. She wore no jewels, but the most exquisite natural orange - blossoms and her bouquet of odonto glossom, Alexandria and white roses was sonjething to wonder at. The bridesmaids, as usual in smart society nowadays, were four small but blue-blooded damsels, viz.. Lady Mayonie Hon Mabel Palmer, Hon Beatrice Cecil and Miss Barbara Jekyll. They were prettily dressed in some pale mauve material stripped with satin with yokes and puffed sleeves of white chiffon and large chip hats trimmed with clusters of violets. The bridegroom presented them with enamel brooches bearing the initials B.C. with a violet entwined.

The prevailing note of this wedding was severe simplicity and good taste. Flowers alone were in profusion, and these were superb, in fact the pick of the Hatfield hothouses.

For once, too, “A Perfect Love” did not figure in the programme, " Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost ” and “ Now thank we all our God ” being tho hymns sung. Lord Salisbury, Mr Balfour, Mr John Morley and Mr Asquith signed the register.

Tho most remarkable feature of the long list of presents is that no Royalties figure amongst the givers, oven Her Majesty’s Indian shawl for once being conspicuous by absence.

Tho Marquis of Salisbury looked far from well, and it is openly said he suffers from an internal complaint which will prevent his ever again assuming the responsibilities of Government.