THE COLONIST. Published Every Morning. Nelson, Wednesday, June 19. 1907. THE PEACE CONVENTION.

Colonist, Volume XLIX, Issue 11966, 19 June 1907, Page 2

THE COLONIST. Published Every Morning. Nelson, Wednesday, June 19. 1907. THE PEACE CONVENTION.

In August, 1898, the" then' Rusaian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Count Mouravieff, placed in tne hands of tbe^Represontatives of the Powers a proposal from the^Czar ' in"~which" = it was set forth that^the present moment was considered a very favour able one for seeking, through intornational dis'cussinn, the most effective means of assuring tG all peoplfs the t blessings of rsal and ksfcing peace, and above all of limiting the progressive development of existing armaments. ]n this cote, after reference had been made to the economic disturbances causad in great measure by the system of excessive armaments, and thfl constaat danMdr involved in this accumulation of war material which rendered armed peace a crushing burden it was stated that : t seemed evident that if th(3 situation was prolonged it would inevitably lead to that very disaster which it was desired to avoid and the horrors of which made every human mind shudder by anticipation. It continued thus:— "lt is the supreme duty, therefore, at the present moment of all States to put soine limit to these increasing armaments, "and to find means of averting the calamities which threaten the whole world. T)eeply impressed by this feeling his Majesty, the Emperor, has been pleased to command me to propose to^all Governments who bave Kepre- j sentatrves at the Imperial Court the meeting of a conference to discuss this grave problem. Such a conference, with God's help, would be a happy augury for the opening century. It would concentrate in one powerful etfort the striving of all States which sincerely wish to bring about the triumph of the grand idea of universal peace O7or the elements of trouble and discord. It would at the same time cement their agreement by a united affirmation of the princ iples of law and equity on which rest the security of States and the welfare of peoples." The Powers addressed expressed willingness to join in the Conference, though this did not prevent several of them from undertaking freah armaments, and their Representatives met at the Hague on the 18th May, 1899, when M. de Staal was elected Piesident, and Great Britain was represented by Sir Julian Pauncefote, Ambas ' sador to the United States, Sir Henry Howard, Envoy Extraordinary to the Hague, V ice-Admiral Sir John A. Fisher, Major-General Sir J. C. Ardagh and Lieut. -Cotenel C. A. Court. The first item on the programme submitted by Russia was as follows: — "An understanding not to increase for a fixed period the present effective of the armed military and naval forces, and at the same time not to increase the Budgets pertainiDg thereto; and a preliminary examination of the means by which a reduction might even be effected in future in the forces and Budgets above mentioned. The conference agreed to a number of resolutions as to methods in warfare, etc., and also to the following: — "The Conference is <f opinion that the reduction of military Budgets, which are at present a v heavy burden on the world, is extremely desirable for the increase of the material and moral welfare of mankind." While ono of its formulated wishes was thus worded:— "The Conference ex- . presses tbe .wish that the govern-

ments, taking into consideration the proposals made at the Conference, may examine the possibility of an agreement as to the limitation of armed forces by land and S9a, and of war Budgets. " Since thafc Conference two great wars have occurred, that in South Africa and the war between Russia and Japan, for which the first named Power was apparently eager, while in Russia itself there have been horrors which have made every human mind shudder, not in anticipation, but in their execution. j For ttto conference which opened on Monday last Ureat Britain proposed that the question of the limitation of armaments should be seriously considered, a proposal that had been coldly received by som« of the Powers and stron-ly opposed by others, while a Berlin journal declared that Germany, Russia, Prance and Austria-Hungary had arranged to provent the Hague Con : i'erence discussing the question of ii citation of armaments. According t-.i .V!. de Maartens, the Russian jurist. Germany is the Power which mesS stenuously opposes the brin - ing forward of this question, and from a German point of view the objection ig not. unreasonable. One difficulty is that an agreement is not [always rigidly adhered to, and another is that even should the Powers agree to a limitation of armaments it would be impossible to prevent alliances which might give a preponderating power to some and nullify the object for which a J limitation was a.reed to. The proposal is hardly likely to be seriously discussed and the practical work of the Conference will probably be contiued to the consideration of amendments in the pacific sattlomant of international disputes and of methods of war on land and saa. A question affecting the liabiliies of South American States has boesi s:t clown, but this, too, may be shelved.

"The Colonist"flSummary will be published to-morrow (Thursday). IJ. M.S. Encounter will be thrown open for inspection this afternoon, and the e.s. Koi will run excursions, leaving the Albion Wharf, on tho first trip at 2 p.m. Social and Pancf. — This evening the annual social and dance of the Rival Football Club will be held in tbe Druids' Hall, tbo proceeds of which will be uandod to MrMurphy, one of tbf-ir players, who was injured. While playing in the seven-a-side tournament on the Prince of Wales' Birthday. Miss^Fowler will preside at the piano. "Les Cloches do Cornville. "— The /list prndfcice of "Les Cloches de Uorneville" by the Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society will be held this evening at 7.30 at the Dresden Room. Every member is requested to attend. Viavi Health Talks.— Miss C. W. Christie will lecture in the Y<M.G> A looms this afternoon on "Health." No charge is made for admission. Associated Board. — The second theory examination in connection with the Associated Board, R. A.M. and R.C.M. will be held on Wednesday December 4th. Entries close on November Ist. Entries for the practical examinations close on July Ist. Ladies' Hockey Tournament -This afternoon tbe annual six-a-side ladies' hockey tournament will bo played at the Botanical Reserve, commencing at 2 o'clock; Ten teaniß have enteredj and there should bo some very investing games. A tiharge of 6d will bo made for admission. Nelson Rifles.— After the parade of this corps on Monday evening, a meeting of members wns held fdr the purpose of electing a lisutecant. There were two candidates, but- the lcsult was not sufficiently satisfactory according to tbe regulations; and the election was held over. Death of an Old Resident.— Mr Robojt Pickett, a very old resident nf Nelson, passed away yesterday morning at his residence, Nile street, in his eightieth year. Deceased was a native of London, and came to Nelson over 50 years ago. He was for many years in the Stamps and Deeds Department, and retired on a pension in August, 1886. After his retiromunt from the service he visited England and America, and en his return to Nelson lived in retirement until his t death. Deceased bncl iisver marrieds Presentation of Medal. —It was intended to make the presentation of the # "Stead" medal to Staff Sergt;Major Redmond on Wednesday evening next at the monthly battalion parade, but as Colonel Joyce and the recipient will be absent from headquarters, the Mayor will make the presentation at the July parade. Wesfcporfc I Battery.— As a result of the unsatisfactory state of affairs in this Battery, concerning which a Court of Enquiry was recently held, the Defence Council has. decided to disband the corps, and a return of rll Government property on issue is to be immediately made. Rifle Shooting; — A match has been arranged between teams of ten men from the Tadmqr Defence Rifle. Club and the Nelson Defence Rifle Club, "o take place at tbe Toi Toi Valley range, next Saturday, shooting to cemmence at 10 a.m. ; ran es 200, 500, and 600 yards, seven shots, one optional sighter. The following riflemen havo been selected to represent the Nelson Defence Club,, and it is requested that any member of tie team unable tp compete will please notify the Secretary in writing without delay:— R. Catley, W. Milner. J. P. Smallbone, G. Sharland, R. Kenning. W. Bradley, T. M. Brown, A. G. Small, P. N. Jones, R. A. Storey: emergency, J. F. Kitchin?; Incident at a Wedding.— The Rev. E. J. Wolfe, rector of Angle,' Pembrokeshire, was the clergyman in this incident. : At a village church a wedding was .fixed for a certain date. The happy morn arrived, and in due coursa a youthful swain and faire ladye presented themselves at the chancel steps. The servico proceeded smoothly as far as the question, "Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife?" Where* upou the supposed bridegroom stammered blush ingly, "Please, sir, I'm not the right man. " "Not the right man!" exclaimed the clergyman, i hast. "Then where is the right man?" "He's down at the bottom :»f the church, sir. He's asheeamed -o come up. ' ' A Railway Lost.— A railway (says' a Home paper) is not the sort of thing to get lost, stolen, or strayed. Yet strange things happen in Irelaud, and twelve miles of railway between Birr and Parsontown, built in 1868, have absolutely disappeared. The Great Southern Railway worked tbe lino for a time without ownin it, and then the mortgagors took possession of it, but did not work it. The [authorities wanted to collect rates for it, but no one would admit ownership. This anomalous state of things was not overlooked by the inhabitants who being deprived of the use of the line possessed themselves of it by derees but not as a means of communication. They carried off wires, gates, rails, buildings, and everything except a bridge, and this would also have gone had not the police, for some inexplicable reason, prevented a crane being uaed for carrying away the girders. Property Sale.— Messrs W. Rout : and Sons report having sold bouse ' and la r d at corner of Nile and flarnnr streets, from Mrs J. (jjully to Mrs George Muccaster. For Children's Hacking\Coughafc night 1 Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. Is 6d i and 2s 6d. •• : • ' :

Wild Donkeys.— A deal in wild asses is reported from South Australia. For years paat thousands of donkleys haver been running wild in the country around Yudnamutana Hill. They have apparenlty no owners, and as they are grazing on Crown lands within nn area of about four hundred square miles, the Government determined to sell them by auction to anybody who cared to undertake the task of capturing them. A sale took place at the Lands Office reoently, , when an auctioneer offered all ud branded donkeys above the age of twelve months. They were knocked down to Mr J. R. Corry for £10 ss, and he intends to catch them by fonces miles long converging to a trap, as in kangaroo drives. He believes there are two thousand donkeys there, and if he secures them he will import a pure stallion from Arabia to improve the breed. Ladies and Gentlemen, — We stock everything in good class materials, and give the best style and workmanship at moderate rates. — Uarford and Dal)', Trafalgar-streot. Woods' Great Peppermint Cure for Coughs and Colds never fails. ]s Gd and 2s Gd. The public are informed that there is plenty of Victory Butter obtainable at 1/1 pei i „>. Ask your groosr for this choice brand. Encourage local industry, and take no other. Selecting an Organ — We understand that recently a committee of musical gentlemen was set up to make the selection of an organ for the West Oxford Anglican Church, Canterbury, and that they unanimously decided to recommend one made by the Carpenter Company. These organs are being sold in this city by Mr Lock, who receives them direct from the Carpenter Company, U.S.A. The makers claim that for the styles of organs there are no better instruments in the world to-day, the tone quality especially being unsurpassed. Mr Lock is also importing some really up-to-date and stylish pianos from some of the leading London and Continental makers, which he is selling at low prices and easy terms. Mr Lock has also just to hand, direct from the factories, GOO pairs of curtains, and a shipment of u.e wonderful Atlas sewing machines. An immense stock of furniture is also on sale, Thj Temperature. — At; three -o'clock this m: rning the thermometer outside this ofl.c^ registered 37 degraes. Messrs Bisley Bros, and Co. will hold their usual weekly stock eales at tbe Railway yards, Richmond, to-day, when they will offer 1200 sheep 30 head of cattle, and 10 pigs. To-day, at 2 p.m., Messrs Mark Sprot and Co. will hold a stock sale at the White Hart*¥ards, Richmond. Tbe yarding includes breeding ewes, fat and forward gsheep, fat steers, etc. Attention is drawn to the note that the sales will be held fortnightly, instead of weekly, during the winter months. 'i-vi ■