JOTTINGS FROM LONDON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19058, 10 July 1924, Page 3

JOTTINGS FROM LONDON

(Special to “Chronicle.”) THE DEATH BAY. CHELSEA, May 31. The Air Ministry have this week been investigating the invention of Mr Harry Grindell-Matthews, which is claimed to be a great advance in war un entions and will be offered to France if the English Government refuse to buy. The invention which Mr Matthews calls an electric beam, and the newspapers have dubbed the “death ray,” is supposed to: Destroy life. Set fire to anything inflammable. Wreck Aircraft. Make Motor traction impossible. Explode Ammunition or other Explosives, so that any nation with this powerful destroyer would kill a nation without any harm to itself. Mr Matthews, who is holding off a French offer while waiting the British Government’s decision, has received many letters from Englishmen representing that it is an unpatriotic action to sell to a foreign country an invention which may help to kill Britons. In reply he declares, “I hope the invention will end war rather than make it more destructive.” Let’s hope so. An interesting twist to the whole negotiations is given in an evening paper under the cable heading of Copenhagen, and runs, “A New Zealander named A. J. Roberts, who is demonstrating the effects of light and sound vibrations at a Copenhagen Circus, called at the office of the Politiken and claimed to be the father of Mr Grindell-Matthew’s electrical “death ray,” which he alleged was not electrical at all. He was, he declared, formerly associated with Mr GrindellMatthews. The “death ray” was exactly the same as that he was using in his circus demonstrations.” LABOUR’S FAILURES. The Labour Government is falling into a sad state and there is a distinct possibility of their being turned out of office very soon. Their one big claim which won countless seats at the general election was their special capacity for dealing with unemployment. They knew the facts, it was said, by personal experience. They had their plans cut and dried. They have had six months in power without even the handicap of an obstructive Parliamentary opposition, for it was a sphere in which the House of Commons wished them well, yet so far their main contributions to relief of unemployment have been the repeal of certain established duties and a proposal to extend the “dole” to children, which has very wisely and fortunately been laughed out of Court by every one who cares for progress in education. ROYAL VISITORS. The visit of the Italian Royal Family—for the King and Queen are in this case accompanied by the Italian Crown Prince, Prince of Piedmont, and one of their daughters, the Princess Mafalda—has again been a source of colourful happenings and much pageantry. The visit has not had quite the thru! experience during the Roumanian receptions, probably because in the latter case it was an English-born Queen who was being welcomed. The Italians were welcomed at Victoria by the King and Queen, and the dull old station—one of the least imposing in London —had been transformed with red carpets, scarlet hangings, flowers and plentiful flags of Italy and England intertwined. Thousands of London Italians, among whom the Fascist black shirt was noticeable, joined Londoners in ringing cheers ,as the two Kings hnd two Queens left for Buckingham Palace. At the station was a company of a hundred Fascisti, whose black uniforms were unrelieved by a spot of colour save their war medals and the little gold badge on their black caps. They were in striking contrast to the King’s Company of Grenadiers standing nearby in their splendid coloured uniforms. The royal visitors have been entertained at Wembley, where a little amusement was afforded the party when a colonel, acting as interpreter, conducted the royal party round the Gold Coast. He introduced King Georgo to the son of the King of Ashanti. The African was filled with delight at being presented, and as Queen Mary came up the colonel introduced her as “The Queen.” The native shook his head; he did not understand. The colonel then said, “This is the Missus of the King.” The native understood that, and laughed heartily and greeted the vastly amused Queen. Besides Wembley, the city has again done honour and the Royal Italians w’ere entertained at the Guildhall, while Buckingham Palace staged another State ball, a marvel of decorations and pomp and pageantry. FOR DOMINION ARTISTS. A scheme is afoot in London to form a Dominion Artists’ Club, which will embrace all the arts of all the dominions. All the great ones have promised to support the idea, Rosina Buckman, New Zealand’s ownest, Daisy Kennedy from Kangaroo Land, and many others who have got there. At the meeting last Monday I gathered Ada Crossley and Melba have not ye'; been asked for their support, but in reply to a question why they were not asked, the chairman, a Dr. Phister, of West Australia, replied they were to be asked later to act as presidents. Everybody at the meeting was most enthusiastic, Peter Dawson busied himself handing out forms, while Natalie Rosenwax and Mr Gibson Young had some very sound ideas to expound. It is suggested that a house with rooms that can be arranged as sleeping apartments for students should be taken. The great ones have promised their services for four concerts to provide some starting funds, and pext Tuesday another meeting will be held to elect a committee and really get on with the business. It was interesting to note after the meeting, how each Dominion split up. South Africa occupied one corner and talked vociferously, New Zealanders greeted each other quietly, while Australians from various States talked loudly of their ideas. PLAYS AND PLAYERS. The great Sorel from the Comcdie Francaise opened this week at the New Oxford Theatre in a French version of Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew.” It was a pleasing compliment from Paris to London that Cecile Sorel should pay this little act of homage to our national hero. However, there is

little of Shakespeare left in the French version; it is in prose, and much has been cut to allow of its being played in four acts. Katherine is played as a creature of amazing energy. She is very free with her feet, kicks her suitors with a viciousness that destroys 1 all charm, and eats greedily, wiping his fingers on the rich coats of the men. Not at all the Katherine we English know. In “Camille’’ and the plays of their beloved Moliere. the French company are very much finer. They will stay at the New Oxford until June 6, when the Old Vic Shakespeare Company will follow them, opening with the “Taming of the Shrew” as Shakespeare wrote it. “The Merry Widow” commenced its upmteenth revival at the Lyceum -ast night, with George Graves, the original “Popoff,” helping the gay lady along. Barry Jackson, the indefatigable London manager and producer, has staged “Romeo and Juliet” at the Regent Theatre, and opinions are widely different as to the merits of the production. All agree, however, on one thing, that Romeo and Juliet look and play the young lovers Shakespeare dreamed of. FASHION’S FANCIES. The latest slogan of smart American girls is “Say it with buttons.” It is the hour of the pearlies, large and small. They are introduced on all sorts of dresses, as well as on tailormade coats, and very often the tiny discs of mother o’ pearl form in themselves an elaborate trimming. For instance, a very attractive and original frock made of navy blue silk jersey cloth had irregular rows of pearl buttons each one about the size of a sixpenny piece, adorning one side of the narrow skirt and one side of the top, the latter casaquin in design and notably tight. While visiting a very artistic woman last week—whose artistic sense is bound up with great home love and house pride—l saw somo delightful curtains, perfectly easy to make and most uncommon. The foundation was a coarse grey net, a very coarse net, and on this were great wool flowers in burnt orange, mauve, and pale green, the colourings of the room. The wools used were very coarse and the embroidery quite simple. My hostess told me she had worked the curtains in two afternoons. They were delightful and enhanced the view from the window of the pretty garden in all its early summer glory. leather trimming, in spite of its ragged look, which 1 personally think so unsmart, has “caught on” tremendously. It” on 90 per cent .of the evening dresses for big affairs; it edges lace and cloth of gold, georgette and satin. It’s everywhere, on everything, in every colour, a terrific vogue. Ostrich feather fans, so graceful in the hands of a graceful woman, are now so immense that it calls forth a gasp from those who see them for the first time. For sports wear and motoring, the very smartest and latest thing is the leather jerkin with hat to match made from gazelle and obtainable in several different bright colours from deep wine to almond green. The garments are delightfully soft and pliable. A striped or plain pleated skirt is worn with the jerkins, making a delightful and comfy sports outfit. The really smart parasols are now made in sets, that is parasol, hat and bag all to match, and in nearly every instance the hat is small. The Queen’s interest in the lace industry has certainly set a fashion for this dainty wear. At the opening of the Chelsea Flower Show last Tuesday, where all the notable people, political, legal and social, gathered to see this most famous show, I noticed a great many lace frocks among the weU-arers-ed throng.