SIR WILLIAM RUSSELL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5668, 16 August 1905, Page 5

SIR WILLIAM RUSSELL.

RE'JTRX FROM THE OLD COUNTRY. AX INTERVIEW. Sir ‘William JhussoH, who had boon out a visit to tho Old Country, rotnruod by the Athenic yesterday. Sir William, who looks in tho best of health, and says ho thoroughly enjoyed tho .voyage out, was interviewed by a roppesoutar tivo of tho “ New Zealand Time;.” It was in 18i)7 that tho la to loader of the Opposition paid his last visit to England, and he did not, of course, notice any material change in things during tho visit which has just concluded. (Questioned on tho condition of affairs in tho political world at Homo, Sir William said, of course, he could only speak at second hand on such matters. In discussing tho position with ti loading member of the Imperial Parliament shortly after ho reached Homo, that gentleman said ho looked, upon a dissolution by August us almost a certainty; but a month before ho loft England tho same gentleman told him ho was quite convinced that Parliament would not be dissolved until that tiaio next year. “ The general feeling, its far as I was able to judge—but, of course, I saw more of tho Conservative! than of tho Radical element—was that, 11101)0 being no defined policy on tho part of the Uadi cal party, nor any man who had a commanding personality, the world was afraid of a change into elements of which it knew so little.”

“ With regard to Air CTmmbejiain’o proposals,” continued Sir William, “I understand that his O'vu view is that at. ilio next elections thoi'o will bo a majority against any interference with tho tariff; but that after tho Liberalparly have been in for a certain time—and not a very long one—a miction will come, and then preference for tho colonics will ho listened to much mom dispassionately than at tiro present time.”

Asked whether there was any popular feeling on the matter one way or tho other, Sir William said: "I should say that, as a rule, tho 'world does nob appreciate tho magnitude of tho question of preference to the colonics, and it is being treated more as a, party stalking horse than upon its individual merits.”

Tho series of Liberal victories at byelections since the last general election was thus commented upon: “T think the cause is that the Conservative party have been in office so long that, tho country is anxious for a change, without any defined reason for wishing for that change. I should say that there' is very little doubt that the Conservative party will go out at the next election.” In favour of whom?

“That is the difficult point to answer. As far as I am able to estimate, tho country, with few exceptions, is nob anxious for a Government under Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman. There have boon rumours that ho would bo raised to the peerage, and that the Premiership would devolve upon somebody else. That I give for whatever it may ho worth. I was told by a gentleman who is much behind tho scenes that Sir Henry will not accept a peerage until he has held office as Premier. That also X give yon for gossip, for what it is worth. If therewas really a strong leader in tho party there is very little doubt that the majority at tdio next elections would b® much more numerous for tho Radicals than it is likely to he.” Questioned on the subject of thenaval subsidies, Sir William said: “The impression left on my mind, is that political circles are convinced that tho navy is of such vital importance to tho colonics that before very long tho colonics of Australasia will contribute moro largely than they have done up to thopresent time.” Was there any feeling of discontent amongst the people at Homo at the disparity in the contributions of the Horae country and tho colonies? “ No. there is. no general discontent.. I should say tho great bulk of the people know very little about tho colonics and their contributions—that is to say, those who are not in the political world.”

Asked whether the colony was pro. perly advertised in England with « view to attracting immigrants, Sir William said he was convinced that any person who went to the High Commissioner'll office would got tho utmost courtesy and attention from all the officials, and any advice which could be afforded would bo readily given. ‘‘But, of course.” he added, “as the policy of tho country has not been to induce immigration, there was no general schema of advertising the colony as in tho case of Canada, where land is practically given away to people who oaro to go there.”

On the voyage out Sir William gave the third-class passengers a great deal of advice likely to ho useful to them as emigrants. Ho did not refer to tho poll tics'* of the country, hut endeavoured in short lectures to give them impartial and practical hints for their guidance on landing.