The Ohinemuri Gazette. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 11, 1911. BRITISH INFLUENCE.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXII, Issue 2854, 11 October 1911, Page 2

The Ohinemuri Gazette. WEDNESDAY, OCT. 11, 1911. BRITISH INFLUENCE.

Many people who have travelled widely and can lorm a correct judgment express their firm conviction that the influence of England is stronger in Europe than it has ever been before. This, too, seems to have been proved beyond dispute by the effect on the Moroccan crisis of British declarations and action. It is seen again in■■ the references to Britain during ihe present Tripolitan crisis. Another striking feature, the'! significance of which will be selt : apparent, is that the English language is everywhere throughout Europe being learnt as part of the necessary equipment of educated men and women. It. is guile a common occurrence to meet Russians, Germans, Austrians, and Swedes who, though they haVe never been an hour in England, can, never* theless, speak the English language as fluently and correctly as those who have been born, educated, and brought up in that country. Another remarkable-fact may be cited in the rapid spread of popularity which English games have attained on the Continent, football and tennis having ardent followers in many parts of Europe, golf also securing numerous adherents. English hunting seasons attract cavalry officers from, abroad in large numbers, who speak wilh enthusiasm of the fascination of the hunting-field in England as one of the most popular forms of sport that the world can produce. It is affirmed by. those in a position to pronounce an opinion that England sets more social fashions than any other country. The almost universal adoption of English habits by the people of other European races is evidenced by the marked similarity or resemblance between different nationalities in Europe. It is difficult' nowadays to distinguish a typical Englishman in a large mixed gathering, as Germans, Italians, Frenchmen, or Swedes might now all be taken for. typical Englishmen,' so much do they, resemble the latter in manners, deportment, etc. One very significant and gratifying feature is the marked preference that German families often express for the English system and style of education. The explanation is that at the great English public schools their traditions all tend to the influence of the training in making those educated at them capable, self-reliant, and manly, and able to act in emergencies upon their own judgments. The forego-ing facts and deductions certainly do not indicate that England's clay is over, .as; some personi would assume ; but while the influence of England, socially, intellectually, commercially, and morally; is still on the ascendant, it would seem, that Britain's supremacy as a nation amongst nations is still acknowledged throughout the world, and that the zenith of her prestige and influence has not yet been reached.