THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1906.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7953, 31 January 1906, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1906.

One effect of the "entente oordiale" baa been to revive the discussion as to the construction of a tunnel under the English Channel to connect England and France. If; will have been seen from a cable message recently published that the British Government has declined a proposal that the unemployed should bo put on the work to construct it as a national undertaking. From the cable in question it would appear that the Government do not support the proposal to make the tunnel, and after all has been said, it does not roally appear desirable to "bring France any nearer" to England than it is at present. The "entente oordiale" is very delightful a thing of beauty, in faot, but it Is extremely improbable that it will be a joy for ever; whereas England, "girt in with the triumphant sea," possesses a natural defence that it is impossible to value too highly, or to guard too jealously. In view of the faot that military experts have reported against the proposal, and

that tbe Government have a vary

extensive legislative arogramme, tie greater part of which tbey will probably be unable to carry out, it; is unlikely that they will further burdsn themselves with the Channel questiou. Meanwhile, it is interest ing to recall that when the Kraucb Government, in 1871, after accepting the scheme, made a formal application for tf.e views of the British Government, the latter replied tliat it "had no objection on principle." The Freuch company, in faith of the understanding arrive*! at between the two countries, commenc-vM? the work at Sangatte. The Enyiidh company failed to obtain the necessary capital, au.f it' concession' lapsed. Ia 1882, however, there were two rival <:o a; Annies who made application to J'arliament to carry out the work, bit in 1883 a Joint Select Committee, after taking the views of military experts and others, reported that "it was not expedient that Parliamentary sanction should be given to a submarine communication between England and France." There the matter rests at present, although webelinvo that the English Amalgamated Company and the French Company have both kept alive, ready to act should opportunity offer. Discussion on the subject was revived in Paris last year, and a report presented to the Paris Ohamoer of Commerce, estimated the cost of thetunuel at £10,000,000. Negotiations on the subject will, nq doubt, be seriously renewed now that a new Government is in powor.

Mr Oakley Arciier, formerly City Surveyor in Ohristchurcb, who has lately returned from the Far East, after two years residence there, writes to the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, < bringing under tbeir notice tbe vast market now open in that part of tbe world to Now Zealand produots. In ttie course of bis letter he says;—" Owing to the peace between Russia and Japan, and the fact that Singapore has been wade the naval base for tbe Far East,

an immense market is open for the following products—Oata for feed purposes, bright oaten obaff, trussed bay. bran, potatoes, onions, apples (cooking and dessert), poultry and eggsiwhun procurable at under ninenence per dozen), bacon, barn and lard, preserved meats. Be fore long tbe Japanese market for wool, flax, bide*, and tallow will be opened up. Already quite a 'arge trade is being done in finer wools. Back freights of rice, tea, tapioca, rattans," coffee, gambia, spices, fruit, and Eastern curios can be secured, while full loads of jute goods and cornsacks could be bacured fur the wool and grain season at Calcutta. With regard to frozen meat, the fresh meat supoly of the Eat tis very uncertain, and very inferior; in fact, good beef and mutton are unknown, although Queensland bas started sending frozen beef, wbiob, though, better tban goat's flesh, is a very poor sample. Now that Singapore is a naval base, the army and naval contracts for fresh meat will be as large, if not larger, than those at Gibraltar, while the vessels trading to tbje Far East all call there, both outward and homeward bound, and would be only to glad to replenish their meat supply in lieu of carrying it twice round the world. This is a large item, for Singapore ranks about third or fourth in importance and tonnage of tbeVorls of the world."