OUR LONDON LETTER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5961, 23 June 1887, Page 3

OUR LONDON LETTER.

(Prom the " Star's " London Correspondent.)

(Per R.M.S. Ruapehu.)

The Colonial Conference

Summarised.

Personal and General

Gossip.

London, May 5. TIIE COLONIAL CONFERENCE. OCEANS OP TALK. TEOGRESS 01' BUSINE6S.

The Colonial Conference would get through more work if there were not such oceans of talk. The opinions of the Australians are very similar on most of the subjects discussed, and it is really quite unnecessary for each delegate to make a speech on every trifling variation that cropß up. They do it, however, manfully. Nevertheless, since I last wrote a lot of important business has been transacted, and the question of Australasian naval defence practically settled. Into the details of the discussion on this matter I don't think I need go, as judging from the cablegrams you understand the basis of the arrangement between the Colonies and the Imperial Government as well as we do. Some anxiety is felt at the rather captious attitude of Sir Henry Parkes on behalf of New South Wales, but it is scarcely likely he will venture to stand aloof when he finds the others determined and unanimous. The perusal of the papers anent the negotiations between France and England relative to the New Hebrides and Rccifttviste questions, gave the Australians anything but satisfaction, and it was with ominous seriousness they met the Premier and. the Foreign Secretary on Tuesday week to discuss matters. Sir Henry Holland presided, and opened business by inviting criticism. Mr Service then rose, and in a calm but firm speech, demanded the immediate evacuation of the New Hebrides', independent of negotiations with reference to the deportation of Kecidivistes. Nothing short of this, he assured the Government, would satisfy the Colonies. As to the deportation of Reeidivistes it might be legal, but it wasn't neighbourly and good feeling should induce the French to discontinue it. Mosb of the other Australian delegates (save Sir F. D. Bell and Sir William Fitzherbert) followed and expressed similar views. Lord Salisbury then replied. He .was bland, plausible, and apparently eminently conciliatory. Nothing could be. further from the intentions of the Govern ment than to thwart any reasonable desire of the Colonies, &c, &c, &c. Public opinion at the antipodes appeared to be very strong on this question. The Government would of course endeavour to arrange matters so as to give satisfaction, but (this in the soothing tone one addresses to an obstreperous child), he really thought the Colonies would make a good bargain if they recognised the sovereignty of the French over the New Hebrides in return for a pledge that the deportation of Reeidivistes should at once and finally cease.

BOUSING THEIR TEMPER,

This observation was all that was wanted to rouse the Australians' temper. Sir Graham Barry in a long, forcible, and eloquent speech, protested angrily against any such unholy compact. England's indecision on this question had been most culpable, and was bitterly resented throughout Australia. Had the French similarly seized some place nearer home, British pride would have been in arms in a moment, and the intruders forced to quit there and then. What guarantee, he asked, had we that the Republican Government would keep the new contract suggested by Lord Salisbury when it had broken the old one whioh bound France to respect the neutrality of the New Hebrides ? Lord Salisbury, with a smile, said he should like to know whether the Colonies really wished England to go to war for the sake of the New Hebrides ? Mr Deakin practically replied "yes ;"" at least, he declared that all the good work done by the Conference would be endangered if the Islands were given up. Sir Samuel Griffiths likewise raised a vigorous protest. Sir Francis Bell alone warmly approved Lord Salisbury's suggestion, and agreed that the Colonies would make a good bargain if it were adopted. He professed himself unable to understand the attitude taken up by Victoria. Everyone knew that the residents of New Hebrides, whether British or Foreign, were much happier under French rule than under no rule at all. The condition of things at the Hebrides when the French retired would be similar to that of the Fijis before we annexed them, and they all knew what that meant. Anarchy and lawlessness reigned supreme. The subject then dropped for the time, but cropped up again on Thursday, when it was understood Lord Salisbury would consent to press imperatively for immediate evacuation.

TELEGRAPHIC AND POSTAL. On Wednesday and Thursday telegraphic and postal matters occupied the Conference. Lord Onslow presided, and Mr Henniker Heaton wa3 allowed an opportunity of dilating on the merits of his penny postage Bcheme. As I told you before, however, the delegates do not take kindly to it. Mr Pender and Mr Finch - Hatton were examined re telegraph matters, and Mr Pender made merry over Mr Heaton's proposed shilling rate. Mr Heaton is doing all he knows to up3ot the P. and 0. and Orient Companies' contracts, but it is not likely that he will succeed.

A STIFF PRICE FOB A DINNER. The Colonial delegates dined with Sir Samuel Wilson, at Grosvenor Square, on Friday week, "to meet Field-Marshal the Duke of Cambridge, K.G." The Duke of Manchester, the Duke of Abercorn, the Marquis of Abergavenny, Sir Henry Holland, and other smart people were present, and the dinner was far the best the delegates have yet eaten. Under the influence of Sir Samuel's peerless " Johan- 1 ni6berg Cabinet,'" and "JPomuiery,, Premier cru, 1874," even Sir F. D. Bell unbent, whilst Sir A. Blyth and Sir George i Bowen positively teamed with good ! feeling. | The Michael and George celebration banquet, at St James' Palace, on Saturday week, was, despite the somewhat ponderous joviality of the Duke of Cambridge, a dull and gloomy affair. Many of the Colonial visitors would no doubt have enjoyed fining with Royalty in one of the Queen's palaces had they been invited guests, but the reflection that they were paying an uncommonly stiff price (403) for i a most Philistine meal, and indifferent wine, did not tend either towards hilarity or loyalty. The Heir Apparent, tired with a long afternoon's racing at Sandown, wished to get away soon, and made no Becret of the fact. The few loyal speeches were consequently cut particularly Bhort, and all was over by eleven. Sir Walter Buller, Sir F. D. Bell, Sir William Fitzherbert, Sir Edward Stafford, and Sir Penrose Julyan represented New Zealand, and Sir Arthur Blyth, Sir J. W. Dowuer, and Mr G. Collins Levey South Australia. The Grenadier Guards Band discoursed Bucalossis' waltzes, whilst the " most noble Order " tackled their forty-five shillings' worths. Gunter did the catering, and very indifferent it was. Spiers and Pond would have provided tv/ice as good a dinner for half the prico.

MB .r. C. BKOWH, it.H.R,

I saw Mr J. C. Brown, M.H.K., of Tuapeka, the other day, and was glad to learn from him that the prospects of the projected Company are on the whole considered excellent by competent authorities. The Bank of New Zealand is lending Mr Brown every assistance, and Serimgeours (the New Zealand Loan Brokers, who are a great powers in such matters) seem inclined to back him up with their influence. Mr Brown spends what leisure time he can spare in tho galleries of the House of Commons. Ho had just heard Mr John Morloy orate when I sawhim, and confessed himself nob greatly impressed with tho lato Irish Chief Secretary. Mr Brown avera, indeed (and from all I have heard, with sound discrimination) that as a garliamenkl .

tary speaker your Premier (Sir R. Stout) is far superior to many of the fashionable and flashy orators of the Imperial Parliament.

TKE CABLE QUESTION AB AFFECTING NEW ZEALAND.

At the meeting of the Eastern Extension Australasian and China Telegraph Company on the 27th inst., Mr Pender referred to the discussion which had arisen between the New Zealand Government and the Company as to the renewal of the subsidy of the Colony. There was, he said, no doubt, that the Company gained the battle, but it was of no use contending against a Government unnecessarily, beeing the inconvenience they would have caused, not only to the community of New Zealand, they had acted on the suggestion of Sir Dillon Bell by adopting the slat us quo ante, so as to enable the Parliament of New Zealand, which was now about to meet, to deal with the question. He hoped that the liberal course taken by the Company would be appreciated by the Colonial I Parliament. PERSONAL AND OENERAL GOSSIT 5 . The numerous friends and acquaintances of Lord and Lady Normanby in Australia and New Zealand will regret to learn that they have just lost their youngest son, Lord Hervey Phipps, who died in Paris the other day at the early sge of thirty-three. He was, I understand, well known in all tbe Colonies, but more especially in New Zealand, where he resided with his parents during part of their Vice-Royalty. Mr W. Dunckley Paine, the well-known Colonial broker, formerly of Mincing Lane, leaves, according to the City Press, personal estate amounting to .£30,000.

The Mercantile Bank of Australia announce the issue of 25,000 shares, of .£5 each, with £2 called up, at the price of £2 5s per share, payable 10a on application, and £\ 15s on June 1. Mr R. H. Long's famous mare Dame Agnes, with which one Australian sportsman won several important two-year-old races in 1884, and hoped to carry off the Oaks in Lonely's year, has been sent to Barcaldine on a visit, and will be shipped for Australia early in June. She is, of course, intended to join Mr Long's stud. It ia authoritatively announced that at the conclusion of the Hare and Kendal partnership next year, Mr and Mrs Kendal will start on a long professional tour of the world, taking the Australian Colonies first, aad then America. No definite arrangements have as yet been concluded, but it is probable they will be accompanied by one or two members of the Sb James' Theatre Company to support them in leading characters. The repertoire will include most of the big successes of the Hare and Kendal management.