Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Quarter of a Century.] MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1904. THE INVASION OF THIBET.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7679, 1 February 1904, Page 4

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Quarter of a Century.] MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1904. THE INVASION OF THIBET.

Th_ so-called 'mission" to Thibet, which is really an invasion, is of more than political or strategical interest. For it is an assault upon the citadel of Buddhism, whose vague precepts and the fatalistic system which has grown upon them, constitute the inertia which western civilization finds so insurmountable an obstacle in the way of progress. We must (for the strong law of necessity bids us) exploit the East; and dazzling as its splendours are, they are isolated by the peculiar unprogressiveness of the people who claim Brahma and Buddha as their law-givers. Their religion of contemplation differs altogether from tbe religion of adoration and dogma with which we are familiar. And when we compare their several effects upon the formation of society and upon progress, we acquire a deeper regard for our own agencies. We find much to complain of in the bigotry intolerance, idolatry and superstition that prevail in Christian communities ; but we must not forget that with all these imperfections the religious systems of the West, from the myths of Scandinavia to the eccentricities of the Salvation Army, have all had in them a form of progress, a tonic power, that impelled people to move onward a3 well as upward. In the East, on the contrary, religion is a matter of mere contemplatian, reverence for maxims, an abstract and intellectual dream, at its best. As a binding regulating and stimulating force, it was powerless. Originally a solace, it became a narcotic, a soporific, under whose influence, sensibility became blunted, effort stupefied, and progressive thought faded away into cataleptic indifference. And to add to this, the administration of such ritual and polity as were erected upon this foundation, fell into the hands of a privileged caste. There, as with us, religion degenerated into hierarchical government, and deterioriation went on apace. All trace of the purity and contemplative virtue of the original cult was superseded by superstition and indifference among the laity, and gross

immorality among the priests. It is well-known to all who are familiar with the East, tbat Buddhism as now prac tised is a very squalid affair. Under its blighting influence honour, virtue, and tbe higher life have perished. Hence we encounter among the disciples of these great Apostles of Benunciation of whom Sir Edwin Arnold has sung to us so beautifully in the " Light of Asia " — fraud, deceit, moral obliquity, and decay. The awakening of the people from their state of coma is a difficult matter. The rending asunder of the veil that has so long hidden these things from the world will be a great triumph of progress; and nothing that was ever attempted in this direction can compare with the determined effort now being made to disperse the old clouds of mystery. Colonel Younghusband's success will explode the schemes of hostile diplomacy and turn a searchlight upon one of the most obscure and the most jealously-guarded strongholds of Eastern apathy.

We have, upon more than one occasion, expressed the opinion that Mr Chamberlain's preferential trade project does not stand tho test of tbe highest standards of right and wrong. Bishop Neligan, who apparently thinks but little of the modern Joseph, has expressed a similar opinion. In the course of a sermon before the General Synod, at Auckland, he remarked that" success was often counted of more value than service, and the doctrine of getting and hoarding was eating into Imperial and national life. Whether the new fiscal policy was right or wrong, none but experts could judge; but every thinking man had a right to express his opinion on it. There was just this about the controversy. There was the danger of an appeal to the lowest and not to the highest in human nature. Supposing that this should prove to be the case, probably tho same force which welded the Empire would disintegrate it. Let tbem think of the standard set before tbo young in school and home life, which was more commonly impressed on children —the value of success or the value of service ? The national life which was measured by the question " Will it pay?" would sooner or later be a curse to all." If Bishops begin to talk like this, we shall respect them! We thought the modern Bishop was more of a tactician than a teacher—-a sort of diplomat who revelled in unctuous platitudes. A live Bishop to lead public opinion is needed in this Colony.

A graphic description of Alfredton, past and present, appeared in our last issue. Our first recollection of this locality dates back to the old Provincial days, nearly five-and-thirty years ago, when the land was first thrown open. What was the new township to be called ? We believe a Wairarapa editor, the late Mr Richard Wakelin, suggested " Alfredton " in commemoration of the visit to this Colony by H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, and the idea was officially approved and adopted. We remember certain Wellington residents journeying thither to spy out the new land. When they had passed through Masterton they found themsolves in the wilds, and at the mercy of unbridged rivers and rough bush tracks. It is said that they actually reached Alfredton, but they certainly did not invest their money in its fertile soil. They returned to civilisation wiser and sadder men, and never again did they attempt a journey to the Alfredton oasis. For the first twenty years of its existence Alfredton made but slow progress, owing to the lack of roads and bridges. During the past dozen years it has made rapid strides. The district owes much to Mr Hogg, M.H.R., and also to the County Council, where it has been always ably represented. The " ugly duckling " is, at last, beginning to change into a swan ; and the recent visit of the Minister of Public Works will tend, we trust, to hasten the transition.