TABLE TALK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7178, 1 June 1891, Page 2

TABLE TALK.

I [Feom ova London Coerbspondbnt.J i London, April 20. ! THE LABOUR COMMISSION. ] Great hopes are entertained in many quarters that the Labour Commission— the composition of which is Catholic, not i to Bay miscellaneous, enough in all con- ! science, will do much towards solving the 1 i problem par excellence of the age. I cannot > . honestly say I anticipate satisfactory re- ; ! suits myself. Dealing with thoroughly i practical questions which can be clearly defined and limited, as for instance " Imprisonment and Penal Servitude," Royal Commissions are invaluable. The Penal Servitude Commisaiou of 1877-78 extracted information concerning our supposed perfect prison system which shocked and astounded civilisation, and led to a complete reorganisation of Dartmoor, Portland, Chatham, &o. I read the reports (which transcend in horrors anything Charles Bead ever imagined) in 1883. Very little by way of reform had been begun then, and I remember mourning in print over the fact. If, however, Government move 3 slowly it moves surely. A new prison has since been built at Dover, to which all first offenders are sent, and the terrible experiences narrated by this description of convict to the Commission are now thingß of the past. Pessimists express doubts whether such an oddly-assorted company as the Labour Commission will do ought save bicker. It is certainly representative enough.. There are Lord Hartington, Lord Derby and Sir Michael Hicks Beach to represent the Government ; Mr Fowler and MrMundella to represent Gladstonism ; Mr Leonard Courtney and Sir John Gorst to represent law and order ; Sir Frederick Pollock and Professor Marshall the Universities and learning ; Sir E. Harland and Mr Isniay the shipowners ; Mr Hewlitt and Mr Dale, coal and iron; Sir W. Lewie, dockowner; Mr Burt and Mr Maud-dey, the labourers who labour ; Mr Tom Mann, the labourers who talk ; and finally* Mr Plimsoll to represent tta "Feelin' 'Eart." The Government's refusal to include Mr Davitt (specially recommended by Mr McCarthy), has raised a storm in Irish quarters, but Mr Smith is not likely to bend before it. PAINFUL SCANDAL. A scandal of a very gross character, which threatens to bring disgrace upon one of the oldest and most respected County families in England transpired in the course of Tuesday. You may remember my mentioning to you some months ago a novel description of prosecution under the Criminal Law Amendment Act. A good-looking and mild mannered French woman, who called herself Madame Florian or Floreal was charged, at Bow street, with decoying abroad for evil purposes a young lady of respectable middle-class connections. Madame advertised for someone to assist her with a dressmaking business in Paris. The girl (her family approving) saw the woman in London on the subject, and, though the situation proposed was rather a social come-down, found herself tempted by the liberal salary offered to accept it. Ultimately the pair left for Paris together. They went in the first instance to a hotel, where, in the course of a day or two, Madame presented an old friend, a Mr Wilson, to her protdge. Mr Wilson, she explained, could Help their bubinees greatly; therefore it was imperative the girl should be civil to him. Miss Haynes (I think that was the name) did try to be civil, but the man's behaviour inexplicably offended her. The two conspirators were very wary anent alarming the prey. There was any amount of pleasant sight-seeing, theatregoing, and what-not, with a certain amount of talk about the business. Madame was trying to keep up the convenances. Mr Wilson's odious attentions, however, grew more and more effusive, till at last Mies Haynes complained to Madame Floreat. Naturally she got little sympathy. Madame said Mr Wilson could do a great deal for any girl who was nice to him and who let him have his way in certain matters. He had given one young friend of hers .£SOO. Miss Haynes now felt vaguely alarmed and uneasy. She could think of no reason why Mr Wilson should give a girl a large sum of money, and the horrid man's ways Buggested love-making. Perhaps he wanted to marry her. If so she should have to snub him severely. No thought of the ghastly truth entered the girl's mind. At length, wearied by her obtuseness, madame spoke out. Either Miss Haynes must do as Mr Wilson wished or go home. Miss Haynes promptly went home ; moreover she confided the whole circumstances of her Paris visit to the old family doctor. The doctor communicated with the police, and by their advice Miss Haynes wrote letters, which finally led to Madame Floreat's arrest. In the latter'a possession were many letters from Mr Wilson, all having to do with the procuration of young virgins for his benefit. Apparently he was usually successful in his schemes, and fondly flattered himself he kept well to the right side of the law and the Channel. Madame he repeatedly warned to act warily and run no risks. At first it really did seem doubtful whether the Criminal Law Amendment Act would stretch to this particular case, but the offence proved to be provided for, and the lady got (I think) twelve months. At the same time she was informed her sentence would be commuted if she gave up to the police the instigator of the outrage— Mr Wilson. WHO "ME WILSON" IS. It is now stated that the Mr Wilson of this case is Captain Edmund Hope Verney, Deputy-Lieutenant and J.P. for Anglesey, and London County Councillor for Brixton. The Verneys are as well-known in Buckinghamshire as the Eussells in Bedfordshire, or the Blundells in South-west Lancashire. Sir Harry Verney, who is ninety years of age, was till recently the Father of the Commons. A grander old man does not exist. Captain Verney himself is a bluff, handsome sailor-like fellow of close on forty. I knew him slightly some years ago, when we both occupied chambers in the same mansions at Westminster, and liked him for his frank, open face, and genial manners. To associate such a man with the series of crimes he is charged with seems impossible. Captain Verney married in 1868, and has four children. His eldest daughter is jast out. The warrant for Captain Verney's arrest has not so far been executed, as his whereabouts is unknown. Curiously enough this is also the case aa regards tbe pious and evangelistic member for East Belfast, Mr E. W. de Cobain, M.P., whom the police " want " for a series of nameless offences, covering a period of five years. Mr de Cobain held weekly prayer meetings at his residence, and was an enthusiastic advocate of temperance. When advised ten days since that trouble was pending, Mr de Cobain declined to relinquish his seat in