OUR LONDON LETTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2051, 15 June 1893, Page 34

OUR LONDON LETTER.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) London, April 30. PRIMROSE DAT.

The annual political festival of Saint Benjamin Disraeli was celebrated on Wednesday in this week with even more than the wentsd public enthusiasm. The unprecedentedly early and beautiful spring provided an exceptionally bountiful supply of "his favourite flower," to quote the oft-cited royal words which some find co enigmatical, and walking through the streets going toward Westmiustsr, ib really seemed to me that at least two persons out of every three I met, male or female, wore the popular Beaconsfield badge. As for the earl's statue opposite Westminster Abbe^, it was a veritable spectacle of floral wealth and beauty. Its base was surrounded by huge bankj of primroses, while immense wreaths, and stars, and anchors, and harps, and, other devices, composed of the same flowers mingled with violets, were hung all round, and the motto "Peace with honour" was also freely used. Tremendous crowds of people thronged the vicinity of the statue, and in its front two long rows of specially stalwart policemen were ranged, between which the spectators had to pass two by two to avoid crushing and to enable all to see the sight. The statue of Lord Beaconsfield in the north transept of the abbey was also profusely decorated with primroses, and large numbers of people visited ib. Possibly a special "fillip" may have been given to the Conservative demonstration by the fact of a great political crihis being " under way," if _ I may use the expression. The Homo Rule Bill is still pending, and who shall say what influence may be exercised by a timely appeal to the memory of the past ? At all events the Primrose League did its part on the occasion, and Lord Salisbury, as its Grand Master, took the opportunity alike to make his re-appearance after his long Uines3 and to deliver a vigorous speech at the " habitation " of tho league that evening. It was pleasant to see this grateful memory of a former political chief on the part of the public, and the demonstration was a forcible confcroversion of the allegation made not long since by an Amecican writer that Lord Beaconsfield is already forgotten. The same writer asserted that the carl's grave at Ilughenden is a scene of utter neglect and desolation. There could not be a wilder falsehood than this. I visited the place net long ogo, and everything eho^s the utmoßt loving care. The grave is m perfect order and beautiful ever with flowers,

while the earl's seat in the church is kept reverently marked off, and above it is the Queen's Bpecial memorial, with the inscription : "To the dear and honoured memory of Benjamin, Earl of Baaconsfield, this monument is placed by his grateful Sovereign and friend Victoria, R.I. ' Kings love him that speaketh right' (Proverbs xi). February 27, 1882." No ; " Dizzy," a3 Punch used to call him, is not yet forgotten in England, nor will he be. ENGLISH POTITICS. Home Rule is still the all-absorbing topic in politics. The division on the second reading of the bill is expected to-nigh-;, bub you will have learned the result long before you receive this letter. I may mention, however, that at the time of writing the prospects of mishap in committee seem more remote than they did a week ago, and the general impression is that even those Liberal members who strongly disapprove certain details will not venture to bring about a serious Ministerial reverse in committee, but will leave the House of Lords to do their work by throwing out the bill, and so compelling its reconsideration, and possibly reconstruction, after the general election, which must inevitably take place before the close of this year. THE SHIPPING AND LABOUR TROUBLES. Between the Shipowners' Federation and the labour unions relations are still severely strained, and the situation is of the gravest kind. The union leaders plainly threaten _ a general national strike unless they are speedily met by the Shipping Federation. The shipowners repudiate all idea of a compromise, which, they hold, will weaken the position they have hitherto maintained, and they continue to engage free labour. The Hull strikers declare they will "nob abate one point." The London dock hands are in daily expectation — or rather, dread — of being called out. They may well dread the fiat, for the sufferings endured by the Hull strikers and their families are described as "appalling." The London men are strongly adverse to a strike, as already much distress prevails among that class, and ib is certain that a poll would show an overwhelming majority against striking. Unfortunately, no such vote will be taken, but all will depend on the mandate of a few virtually irresponsible leaders, who do not realise the terrible consequences which must follow a general calling out of libour. Hopes, however, are entertained that moderate counsels may yet iire^ail. The Cardiff strike seems practically at an end, as unionists and free labour men are shipping indiscriminately and unquestioned. Meanwhile there appears abundant proof that should the men be so illadvised as to strike generally, their places will readily be filhd up by non-unionists, of whom large numbers are already enrolled on the lists of available hands. The shipowners asferb that they can easily obtain plenty of hands, and that they will never consent to abandon their system for the protection of free labour and for the maintenance of freedom of contract. They refuse to agree to any course which will limit the liberty of the subject, and they will not submib to dictation as to whom they shall or shall not employ to do their work. Such being the attitude of the contending parties, ib must be confessed that the prospects of an early settlement seem at present most gloomy. But the prospects of the men and their families in the event of so mad a step as a general strike being decided upon would be infinitely gloomier, indeed, would be wretched in the extreme. THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE. Sir Walter Buller, who arrived by the Coptic on Thursday from New Zealand, has lost no time in setting about his duties a3 one of the governors of the Imperial Institute. He was somewhat disappointed that the fittings for the display of the New Zealand exhibits are not in a more forward state of preparation. The Agent-general, however, explained that he had disapproved those pub up in other sections, and thought it better to wait and consult Sir W. Buller before giving final instructions. It is proposed to make a temporary display now, and arrange later, for the permanent exhibition, when suitable plans for show cases; &c, have been agreed upon by Sir Walter and himself. He suggests that the opportunity afforded by the opening should be utilised by exhibiting for that special occasion some of the colony's perishable comnioditiep, such as meat and dairy produce. Good specimens of these, he thinks, might well be on view for a few days, although of course this could not be done as a permanent arrangement. It is doubtful whether the institute authorities will agree to this proposal, least any public inconvenience should be caused, bat even if they will not permit this display on the opening day, it is thought tluy perhaps might consent to its taking place in the following week, when the Prince of Wales will hold his rtception, and when a still larger muster of the public is looked for. Mr Perceval onsiders that New Zealand will show very well at the institute in respect of exhibits. He is very anxious that the display should be more of a practical and useful than of a merely scientific character. This latter aspect, however, will assuredly not be lost sight of with Sir Walter Bailer as one of the guiding spirits. THE BUTTER TRADE. Mr Wilson, the well-known Victorian butter expert, will be in London shortly, with the view of arranging, if possible, for the joint appointment of an industrial expert in London to look after the interests of colonial producers. Such, at any rate, is understood to be his view, but he will make inquiries into the position and prospects of the Australasian dairy trade generally, and preparatory to presenting an exhaustive report on the subject. Onr own Agent-general warmly favours such an appointment. He has done all in his power in the way of giving attention to industrial matters, but he cannot possibly do all that is required. _ A full reporb on the butter industry is also being prepared in London by Mr Valentine for the Government of New Scuth Wales. NEW XKATAND TROUT. The fine trout sent Home from Canterbury, having being caujjhtin ths Selwyn river, remains in ice at the docks, but its photo and description have excited great interest and attention among enthusiasts in Isaak Walton's craft. Mr Perceval thinks of having it stuffed and sent either to the Imperial Institute, or to the Barl'a Court Exhibition. He sent a photo of the fish lo the editors of L<md and Water and The Field, who accovdc;d it their cordial admiration. The book on New Zealand fishing written by Mr Spackman, of Christchurch, has aroused a remarkable degree cf interest in New •Zealand as a fishing ground, and will probably lead to many visits from votaries of the craft who desire to try new waters. In a former letter I mentioned Mr F. W. Webb's gigantic expres3 engine " Greater Britain" (whoso sister engine, "Queen Etnyress," has gone, to tho Chicago Exhibition to astonish tho American!,) ; that engine is performing this week the unprecedented feat of running 600, miles daily with heavy and very fast express trains — viz, from Carlisle to Euston and back, with two alternate "crew-i" of men who change midway at Crewe._ The pe??ormp*icts is exciting great interest iv the railway world. The result will not bo known until next week, bub by Mr Webb's courteous

invitation I shall be present at one of these sensational experimental trips. The late Sir George Findlay is to be succeeded as general manager of the vast London and North- Western railway system by his second in command, Mr Frederick Harrison, who conducted the case on behalf of his company during the recent long and laborious investigation into the vexed question of railway rate 3 and charges, and he is considered to have conducted it with conspicuous ability. Talking of the Imperial Institute, by the way, the Prince of Wales finds time in spite of all his public engagements to visit it daily. The Empress Frederick also, during her recent stay in England, took special interest in the institution, and strongly urged that the inaugural]ceremony should be as grand and imposing a function as possible. Ib seems certain that her views in this respect will be fully carried out. The news of the wonderful spring we are having in London, with temperatures of 75 and 76deg in shade, cloudless skies, and brilliant sunshine is bringing back our foreign and country tourists in crowds to town, and London 13 fast filling for "the season," which is expected to be a very gay and pleasant one in "society." Lady tourists to New Zealand are advised by the " Gentlewoman " to take with them their trout rods in view of the excellent trout fishing to be obtained in that colony, where, it says, trout of 10, 12, and 151b are as common as lib fish in Great Britain, and where sportswomen consequently have "sport of an altogether stupendous nature." It is pointed out too that the fishing season, in New Zealand is contemporaneous with the close season at Home. A monument to the introducer of trout into New Zealand is recommended by the same paper to the anglers, male and female, of that colony. By the bye the new reservoir in Wales, the now famsua "Lake Vyrnwy," constructed to furnish Liverpool's water supply, is already full of trout, and affords excellent fishing. The revival of Halevy's opera, (< La Juive," at Drury Lane has proved a decided success. The fine and melodious music created a great impression, and as the work is avery striking one spectacularly as well as musically, ib will probably not be again ignored in England for 4-0 years. The great tenor scena in the fourth act has long been popularised by Edward Lloyd, who tried ib at the Worcester Festival of 1884with such satisfactory results that ib has bsen one of his concert stock pieces ever since. One drawback to the frequent performance of this opera is that its cast requires two "first" soprano singers and two "first" tenors— if I may be pardoned the "bull"— all of whom must bo de la premiere force. This cannot always be managed. Thirteen days of the Divorce Court's time were wasted by a certain Mrs M'Kerrow in trying to obtain a divorce. She conducted her own case, and so wasted still more time, besidss unwarrantably implicating several innocent ladies, for which she was severely censured by the president, who remarked that counsel would never have ventured to bring those ladies' names into the affair at all.

No fewer than 59 labour strikes occurred in Great Britain during the month cf March ju&t ended. The majority were in the building and mining trades. No wonder there is so much distress ! Most of the strikes ended unfavourably for the strikers. Rudyard Kipling is still in America with his wife and "the International Kid," as he calls his offspring. He lives very quietly and does not go into society. His last whim is golf, and he is laying out golf links in the grounds of his new cottage at Brattleboro'. The advent of the Australian Eleven is looked forward to with keen interest by the English cricketing world. The team is considertd to be one of the strongest yet sent Home, but Moses's absence is much regretbed. The matches will begin early next month, so no time is to be lost. It is to be hoped that Professor Falb's prediction of a wet summer to follow this unprecedentedly fine spring will be falsified. In English cricket Surrey is expected to retain the championship among the counties. New bowlers are the crying need of most of her rivals. Surrey has tried no fewer than 25 professional bowlers from other counties during the past 10 years, but has only found two, Loekwood and Sharpe, worthy of adoption. According to Dr E. M. Grace, G'oucestershire is kept in the background by the want of a good fast bowler, notwithstanding that the Australian Ferris now bowls, and well too, for tho,t county. Lohmann's illness is a great los 3to the cricket world, but above all to his county, Surrey. It is remarked by financial men as a noteworthy fact that the stoppage of a second Anglo-Australian bank within a few days after the first has had a quite insignificant effect on the city generally, though, naturally, share prices of Australian banks have fallen somewhat for the time. J

Mr Michael Davitt's maiden speech in Parliament has raised him to a very hi^h place in the estimation of the political world as the coming man in Irish politics. Ib is recognised as having been a really great speecheven by those most opposed to him — and free from the prevalent faults of speakers in his party. This year's list of birthday honours is, I hear, to be an unusually long one especially in regard to the Order of St. Michael and St. George, which the Imperial Institute will bring iato particular prominence. I am told that Mr Perceval is a certain X.C M G., and he will accept the honour. I need hardly say that he will nob confess to any knowledge of the matter, but my information conies from good authority. It will, psrhaps, console members of New Zealand musical 'societies who have been performers at a concert when a "hitch" occurred, to hear that at tlie Crystal Palace Saturday concert last week, during an otherwise very fine performance of Berboj's "Damnation of Faus'o," a frightful slip occurred on the part of tvs famous Crystal P.ilace Choir, of whom only a few faint voices came in at the proper place in one instance, causing Mr Manns to bring the performance to a sudden stop by the rapping of his batoD, and to call for a tresh start of the movement, which second beginning was, however, in all respects satisfactory. So even a crack London chorus will come to grief at times. Leb colonial choruses, therefore, take heait of grace. One is growing very tired of that pretty " intermezzo " from Mascagui's opera, " Cavalleria Busticana." It has got on to tho street piano-organs, and we hear just a little too much of it. The opera itself is now being played twice or thrico weekly at Drury Lane, always to good houses. The young but already famous Italian composer is expected to visit London this summer^ and will assuredly be tremendously lionised.

At a silting o£ the Avon Licensing Committee on Tuesday tho p:>lice opposed the renewal of the license to the Oourtenay Ai ins Hotel, at White's Bridge, en the ground that drunkenness had been peimitied in the house. After the evidence of a number of witnesses had been heard the committee hold that the charge had failed, and granted the license.