LETTER FROM LONDON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19787, 10 March 1927, Page 10

LETTER FROM LONDON

PERSONALITIES AND POLITICS

ENGLAND v. WALES

(From Our Own Correspondent. —All Rights reserved

Shanghai. Ministers are quite aware of strong adverse criticisms among their own supporters over Far East happenings, but they believe that when the facts arc stated their policy will be endorsed as the only sane one possible. At Hankow it was easy for the Chinese Nationalists and their Russian accomplices to single out Great Britain for isolated attack. To have attempted to repel that attack would have been to enact the role of Mrs Partington, and also to have presented the enemy with renewed fuel for their anti-British slogan. At Shanghai, whither the Nationalist movement now shapes, it will be different. There it will not be possible to isolate any one foreign concession, the Western Powers will stand or fall together, and militarily, as well as politically, the position affords more scope for defence. Not a living soul, however, can hazard a guess how things will eventually develop in China. White Ensign in China. When Mr Bridgeman said recently that we had nearly doubled our ships on the China station, there was a feeling that he had slightly exaggerated, but if only the great Yangtse river is considered, it will be found that the ships have been more than doubled. Prior to the action at Wanhsien in September, one cruiser and ten gunboats were in the river. To-day there are five cruisers, a sloop, seven destroyers and ten gunboats there, and all the important towns right the way down from Chungking, the highest navigable point, to Shanghai, have a sight of the White Ensign. With two more destroyers and two more gunboats ordered to the Far East from Malta, and the Bth Destroyer Flotilla preparing to go out from England, it will bo possible to augment the force still further in the near future, if need be. The cruisers include the two latest vessels of this class in the navy, the Emerald and Enterprise. which have been sent to Nanking and Shanghai respectively from the East Indies. Future tof Liberalism. Shrewd onlookers at Westminster do not accept the prevalent view that Liberalism is played out in this country. Though now a mere shadow of its former strength in the House of Commons, and torn byjealousy and dissent, the Liberal Party, according to this opinion, represents a principle as indestructible as matter. And never was its political mission of festina lente, they argue, more vitally necessary than now, when compromise is the logical solution of the opposition of Socialism and Conservatism. These prophets see in the present Liberal troubles the very process of recuperation. And they attribute to Mr Lloyd George an almost Machiavellian strategy. Before the Liberal Party could regain its political -vitality in the country, they argue, it had to shed its Whigs and regain its old Radicalism. This they believe the Liberal Party is now doing, and that its return to effective entity may be more rapid than most politicians suspect. Reshuffle of Parties. Among the probabilities of the near future, according to this estimate of the situation now unfolding, may be reckoned a ‘close association of Liberalism and Labour. This approachment is likely before the next general elections, and practically inevitable after them. And the possibilities include a breakaway from the Labour Party either of the extremist “Red” wing or, in certain eventualities, of the moderate group, with men like Mr Philip Snowden and Mr Ramsay Macdonald, who arc really, it is contended, Radicals camouflaged as Labour members. These men, who represent the best brains in the Labour movement, have nothing in common with Communism, which Mr Wells aptly calls “the sabotage of civilisation by the disappointed,” and could work harmoniously with the Liberal Party Mr. Lloyd George hopes to lead. Thus we get a vision of a new version of the old Central Party project. Our Strenuous Prince. The Prince of Wales docs not, even in the thirties, relax his hard physical exercise. Few men of his age lead such deliberately strenuous lives. But, apart from his real devotion to sport, H.R.H. dreads the thought of getting fat, a tendency which he thinks he may inherit from his grandfather. He rides hard, plays squash racquets, and golf regularly, dances hard, and takes hard running exercise. He often puts on a sweater and flannel bags, and takes an hour’s run in the Palace gardens early in the day. Sometimes he winds up, on mornings when the Bath Club is dedicated to lady members, by walking in his running togs at a fast pace by back streets to the Turkish Baths in Jermyn Street, where he is a well-known patron, and is treated, as he prefers, just like any ordinary customer. On these occasions, as he enters the baths, he gives instructions for his proper clothes to be telephoned for, and brought np from the Palace by his valet. Eight Years’ Job. It is more than a shrewd suspicion lhat most people have quite lost count .of 18m* DhFjpmaife <>mnTOis.si-o:n. and regard it as .a relic of tb.e Great. War and “old, forg'ott.en, far-off things,” And t hat, Ind-eeidL is pT©ci&cily what it 11 started its h-enralean labours on January 1, 1919. <and will finally wind up its c©lo«sail affairs till March. 31 next, when ihe financial year em-da. During its eight years of active work the commission has handled property of all sorts an<d sizes, scattered far and wide up and dm ihe habitable and I unhabitable -gjWbe.. Though mneh of the i property concerned had JUitLe market ! value in piping times of peace, it has ! gradually been sold off somehow, and i the British taxpayers have thereby Wmeifited W the extent of n.eariy £7*oo/ Though about a, third of the total .am-oewt came from purchasers in this eountry, great wtfa® also :

LONDON, Jan. 20. sold to foreign Governments. About £15,000,000 still remains to be realised, and the task of collecting it will, after the close of this financial year, be left to the Treasury department. A staff that at one time numbered nearly 50,000 has now dwindled to half-a-dozen. Winston’s Eldest. At the forthcoming Royal Courts wo shall have the usual delightful crop of ' socity debutantes, who are always by far the most fascinating figures in those regal pageants, and irresistibly re-call Tennyson’s lines about “Rosebuds set with little wilful thorns and sweet as English air could make them.” Not the least interesting of these youngsters will be Mr Winston Churchill ’s eldest child, Miss Diana Churchill, whose 18th birthday arrives this summer. It seems almost incredible that twenty years have rolled away since ladies attired in 1906 fashions climbed into coalcarts to see Winston and Miss Clemantine Hozier on their wedding day. But so it is, and the present Treasury chief was then a youthful President of the Board of Trade. Miss Diana Churchill bears a striking resemblance to her clever father, even to a pharming replica of his slightly impish smile. And I hear that the resemblance is not merely superficial. Mr Lloyd George As Cincinuatus. Mr Lloyd George was sixty-four on Tuesday, and it may be assumed that he enjoyed his birthday at his Surrey Home. He is fond of referring to it as a “country cottage,” but it is, in fact, a substantial mansion, with about 70 acres of grounds, overlooking one of the most picturesque bits of country to be found within fifty miles of London. It is a district more noted for its beauty and its productiveness, but Mr Lloyd George takes a serious view of himself as a landowner, and in addition to some afforestation, he breeds pedigree pigs and poultry and tries a little agriculture. If he kept a balance-sheet the result would probably astonish both him and his neighbours. I suspect that, while his farming amuses him, it does not afford much solid argument for his land campaign and the possibilities of small holdings as a means of livelihood. New Giant Bombers. I hear that 30 giant night-bombers have been ordered for the Royal Air Force. The machines, which will be allocated for home defence, will be Handley Pages, with Napier engines of 1,000 horse-power. The step is all the more important if, as is alleged, it is true that nearly half of our squadrons are equipped with machines of obsolescent type, some of them 10 years old. The smaller the force the greater is the ! need for its efficiency, and, fine as our ’ personnel is, it cannot be expected to I hold its own ‘unless it is provided with • machines as good as the best. That ■ view will be pressed on the Air Minisi ter in the course of the coming Parlia- | mentary session, and although he shares it himself he will be glad to have his hand strengthened. Th© Air Force is at present in the happy position that the House of Commons is less inclined to grudge expenditure upon it than upon the two older services. The immense development of civil aviation in Germany, with the consequent reserve *of men of flying expcrienc, is a re minder of the importance of air home defence. Lord Lansdowne’s Birthday. Lord Lansdowne is in much better health now than when he gave np the leadership of the House of Lords, and his slim figure carries the weight of 82 years with comparative case. His colleague have been glad to notice that during his recent visits to the Chamber he has almost got rid of the lameness which troubled him some years ago. It is not often remembered that Lord Lansdowne was once a member of a Liberal administration —so long ago as 1869, but even before the Home Rule . controversy he had fallen out with his party on its Irish land policy, on which he had views that were much more rigid than his practice. His relations with his tenantry and neighbours in Kerry have always been excellent. The son of a Franco-Scottish mother (Baroness Nairne), he has fluent command of French, which proved of the utmost value during his tenure as Foreign Secretary and the negotiation of the Anglo-French entente. Gov-ernor-General of Canada, and Viceroy of India, Minister for War, and Foreign Secretary, he has had a career which for length and variety has few •equals. He was never more dexterous than when, in command of an overwhelming majority in the House of Lords, he had to prevent it making an •undue use, of its power against the Liberal Government of the day. His courteous suavity seldom failed with either friends or opponents. Lord Bearsted’s Brother. Lord Bearsted’s death will be a specially heavy blow to Mr Samuel Samuel, M.P., hi» yonnger brother and business partner. “Sammy,” as his House of Commons colleagues call him, has confined his public activities to his representation of Putney (formerly of Wandsworth) but he followed his brother’s career with great interest aad pride, and made it possible by shonWer* ' ing many of his businss rcsponsJbiliij.es. ' x 1 Sammy ’ ’ seldom speaks in the House, ! but his views -on fiian.ciaJ and commercial <qn.esti.wmsF CAjmarniaad Uirigli author* iiy. TWugh u. hw jaiim TFoffkl is j rapmSly going 1© the he takes a, cheerfitl Yi-erer ©f HoiquLaSWy is his huhxbrr.. Dratiiag fiW* aflwraiitwi’ he noorarn the Mobies ior ■congenial spirits who haras 310 rtYagagsmuetmt iw the even- 1 iing, stndl jassenfla’tes thttm t© the jtmuber of a dozen -or st) in one of the dining-roOTiMti, where he dldliglrts in providing fiheon with the best .that mtuiey and good taste cun prawide. But he is' the most Abstemious men himself. His -cigars -are famous.. He keqps a stock of his own -at the .Hjras© and it. needs frequewt ;n(uilertishmenL An Tnfiuenza

The give Attacks <of in-j , ilumizu far juane <cttre flhan iwe (do- 1

deed, with them certain rites are commonplace to frighten these dread visitants away from their homes. One practice, largely indulged in by the people, is the nailing of a wooden spoon on their front doors, which spoon is thought to have .a miraculous power of warding off the microbes which gives colds and influenza. Should the latter become epidemic, an additional precaution is taken. Above the spoon is written the magic words, “Hisamatsu is out” or “Hisamatsu does not live here.” An ancient legend of theirs connects Hisamatsu with her lover who .seeks her in vain. Her spirit, likewise seeking his, gives influenza to the people of the houses she enters. Hence this curious precaution. Lucky Thirteen. The sporting writers make a great point of the fact that Corbett, whose individual brilliance and fine captaincy did so much to make England victorious over Wales at Twickenham, wore on his white jersey the ill-omened number 13. But in gallantly assuming that unlucky omen, Corbett merely followed Wakefield’s firm example. “Wakers” has always defied superstitition in that way, and most, if not all, of his 29 appearances in England’s Rugger side have been as 13. It is perhaps not without racial significance that, whereas the Saxon All-Whites boldly include 13 among their identity numbers, the Celtic temperament rejects that unlucky number by omitting it, and making their last man 16 instead of 15. It may seem rather a weak concession to popular superstition, but an International Rugger match is no mean hazard to face without any handicap of bad luck. A good many men who were not normally superstitious did not like to be “third man” with a lighted match just before going “over the top” in France. The Old Guard. The record crowd at Twickenham included 25,000 Welsh enthusiasts, and at a venture about the same number of symbolic leeks. Two zealots made the usual attempt to decorate one of the goalposts with this patriotic vegetable. They were about halfway up with a London policeman in close pursuit when the goalpost collapsed amid the delighted uproar of the multitude. The game was fast and exciting, but rather patchy. Wales were unlucky to lose one hefty forward early in the battle, but I thought th e Welsh forwards imparted a quite unnecessary ruthlessness into some of their play. It will be a bad day for Rugger when mere weight and vim replace speed and skill. In the scrum the forwards were about equal, but the Englistimen were better in the loose. Wales held the advantage at half-back, and W’indsor Lewis’ fair head was perpetually the Welsh point d’appui, but those dauntless veterans, Corbett and Locke, tackled like heroes and nipped innumerable Welsh attacks in the bud. Usually Windsor Lewis got the ball only a fraction of a second before he got either Corbett or Locke. Conway led the English pack j like an inspired maestro, and Corbett proved a great captain. He practically won the match for England and his individual try between the posts was a piece of sheer artistry. A Priceless Aside. Personally I was immensely interested in the 8.8. C. experiment of broadcasting an eye witness’ description of the match. It was the first attempt of the kind, and its practical potentialities in a country that is football mad in two codes cannot be overlooked. The broadcaster was Mr Wakelam, formerly the Harlequins’ wing forward and captain, who broke his leg some seasons ago and is now reduced to touch-judging and fox-trot-ting. He is a typical robust and jolly young “sport,” and he did not allow his position as the pioneer Ruggerbroadcaster for the 8.8. C. to depress his spirits for one moment. He gave an admirable account of the game, except that in the more thrilling passages his excitement caused him to address his exclamations otherwise than into the microphone. But after each of these tensely dramatic pasages of wireless gurgle, Mr Wakelam invariably returned fresh and debonair as paint with a genial “I am afraid perhaps you did not quite catch that, so I will repeat it.” But undoubtedly his cher d’oeuvre came at the interval, when with beautifully clear articulation lis-teners-in heard, “And now what about a beer? It’s jolly good beer you know. ’» Peace At Home, Madame Tussaud has announced that the Chamber of Horrors is to return. The Guillotine, the Gallows, the Road to Ruin, Jack Sheppard’s cells in Newgate, Crippen, the Coiners’ Den, King John —they ara all to be there just as they were before the great fire. Somehow, the decision seems to demonstrate a surprising faith i n the of popular taste. There was sc’inething essentially Victorian about these horrors. One used to feel that it was simply because they were de mode that’they were interesting. The exhibition was always a charming reminder of “the good old days.” When one considers the matter, it is clear that there is something much more attractive in Charles Peace than in the boldest bootlegger of them all. Yet can the charms of Cliarles himself survive a change of atmosphere and environment? Surrounded by the tawdry splendour of the old Madame Tussaud’s, he was, so to say, at home. But when all is new and fresh, is there no danger that he will feel uncomfortable, and that, like a returned ghost, he will lack conviction?