After Dinner Gossip AND Echoes of the Week

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXV, Issue 5, 5 August 1905, Page 18

After Dinner Gossip AND Echoes of the Week

A Welcome to the Red Funnel. Thr warm, and splendidly substantial welcome—in which the "Craphi*:’’ most cordially joins--given by tin* public tu the “Ihd Funml.’’ tin* new magazine isFiled by * h. • I nion Company, and edited by Mr. A. A. Brown, is a worthy recognition of a imtabh- literary arhi vement; and is without question well deserved. Th* very high standard of the XcW Zealand press, daily and weekly, and lb** fact that in all four centres of the colony there are papers which each and all give weekly illustrations far superior to anything issued in Australasia, and in many instances equal io the finest English productions, has Jong Been subject for remark on the part of visitors, and those in other countries to whom any of ihe publications alluded t«» are from time to lime post > ( |. To these is now added a monthly, also illustrated, which is worthy. and which one trusts and believes is destined. to take its place amongst the lines!. imported magazines which pour into the colony from Europe and America. The amount of money which is spent on light literature in this community, tog.tb.l- with that found for amu-cm. *nfs, more especially the theatre, is truly amazing, and ju.-t. as it was pleasant to record a financial and artistic success to a New Zealand composer, Mr. Alfred Hill, the other day, so it is now a matter for general congratulation that some of the cash so' freely lavished on magezinedom is to find its way into the pockets of the promoters, of th** “Red Funnel, MAga; zinc,’? and -Ihe contributors; ami artists', whose effort- are selected for our approval. In the ordinary way of bu*in< we have several times pointed out that as a means of advertising tin* colony, and so promoting lit* general. and therefore in; dividal wotfare ami prosp*>ity. this journal plays a useful and not unimportant part, and it need scarcely br point<*d out that 1 he “Red Funnel Magazine” has a similar service to give in the Slate*, and on-* which is of more value than many are apt to suppose. New Zealand is yearly becoming la tter known in England. and the advantages it oilers to emigrants of all classes', ns well as to tourists, are sediilou dy insisted upon by iho-e in authority as oc*<*asmn off.*r>. But there is still an astonishing amount of ignorance and a belief that in coming out hero tlu* traveller or the emigrant has to face hardships, privations, and inconveniences which iv<* little or no existence. Few. perhaps, believe that we are amongst savages, though; amazing as it sounds, there are tho-c* who haw* this fantastic* idea : but. on the* '*<h«r hand, th** vast majority still have some* hazy sort of idea that we live in a very com fort less ami primeval sort of way. wholly deprived of th* advantages of intclle-tual intercourse, and the* c ulture* of the' arts of literature, the* drama, and painting. It is by th.* c irculation of a magazine such ns the “Red Funnel,” and of the* i I histrated pap.*rs of this colony that this absurd idea is best dispelled. A country which can produce such a magazine.and support it. cannot obviously occupy.the <ad intellectual position so many of our friends at Home imagine. And if we overcome this notion we do much, for there is a vrry large* and ever-increasing class who would s* rionsly think of coming to live amongst us if they were convinced that, in addition to all the natural and financial advantages of settling in our country, they would still b** able* to enjoy the* majority of those privileges which are erroneously supposed to Im* the possession of older feet t lenient s. Let them see that in music, in art, in i-*dm*ation. an I in literal me we ran hold mu* own, and w<* have done ninth. Ami. as vve have >ai*l. tin* “Red Funnel Magazine” is a valuable and powerful new comer in this crusade against the ig-

Durance of tho-e across the seas as io the* conditions of our social and intellectual life. Here are admirably writt* n article's and short stories by writers of unquestioned ability, I***l by no less a p-uxmage than Admiral Fanshawe, K.C.8.. who cotributes a short but pregnant essay on Australian defence. This special page is not the place for a detailed review of a most admirable production on which ail concerned may Im* congratulated, but it is her** we can welcome amongst u< a new power for good, ami om* which will certainly not n- rely be hit within our shores but will < \< rt a ben fn inlimn e far beyond the seas. through which the “Bed Funnel” is so well known a feature. ft ft ft ft ft j Yet Another Auckland Hospital Scandal. It seems absolutely hopeless to expect anything but ineptitude, gross blundering, scandals, ami stupidity from the Auckland Hospital. Doctors conic, doctors go; so do Boards and chairmen; inquiries are instituted, complaints are substantiated, and fresh ones take their place. 'There arc quarrels. disclosures, bitter reviling*. and even Royal. Commissions, and nothing ever happens in the direction of reform. No sooner does oblivion follow the nine days’ wonder of the latest scandal, no sooner does some inconceivable banality or criminal carelessness arouse a brief indignation and lizzie out than another and a worse takes its place. An atmosphere which induces lethargy and .crass stupidity, snrothers.. v comm*n.iseiise. ami renders individuality and responsible action impossible, would seem to brood over the institution and act disastrously on all who' have aught to (Io with it. Its latest achievement is worthy' of anything that has gone before. A woman with a baby at her breast. 14 days old was ordered to the Hospital by a well known practitioner (Dr. Frost). On arrival there in lhe ambulance the manager took the mother in and refused admission to the suckling infant, though both he ami Dr. Aickiii, of the. Hospital, were told distinctly that' there was no one al th** father’s home to look after the child, and that the doctor in charge strongly urged its admission. Al first •Dr. Airkin promised to do his best, i.e., ‘’look up the rules.” but this was evidently not satisfactory, for. as stated, the child was refused admission, ami taken from its mother’s arm*-. Its father on his return home from work found it at home in the sole charm* of an eleven-year-old girl. Ile thru received a letter from Sister Jane, of the Central Mission, recommending that during the mother’s absence at the Hospital In* should giv<t the infant to some competent nurse to lake rharge of. Al last he got a neighbour to take charge of it. As the child seemed somewhat unwell on the 24th. Dr. Knight was called in. On the 25th the child was taken to Nurse (Jib-on’s, where if sm-eiimhcd. These are the bald facts of as pitiful a little tragedy as could well b<* imagined; and. if this is not a signal instance of a child being literally and outrageously done to death by red-lap**ism and stupidity of the grossest order. I am sure I do not know what would be considered so. Competent witnesses t- urs<* Hibson and Dr. Frost) both swore at the inquest that flu* child was healthy when lorn from its mother’s arms. Thai it might not have lived even if admit led to the Hospital is. of course, possible, but il will br Ihe opinion of all women, and most men. that its chances with its mother would hAve been better, even if she were not allowed to entirely feed it. to which, by the way. Dr. Frost saw no objection. But imagine what must have h****n. and must for**ver Im*, lhe state of th** mother, deprived of her babe at lhe doors of the institution, and now informed of its

death. All the doctors of the universe, all 11n* ollivials of bumbledom, will not persuade a woman so alllieted that lhe death of her infant does not lie at the door* of those* who refused it admission; and bitterly will she curs** the stupidity of those who could make such a rule, and of the weakn<‘.ss of 'those who would blindly cany’ it out. How many more rules of this stamp arc their? At the recent Commission w<* found out there was a man writhing in mortal agony at the portals of the institution, and |X‘r<*mptorily refused admission or attendance because there was not an order from certain mvdi**al men. Il was admitted that lhe ease was om* for instant treatment, and that the man was in mortal agony: but the janitor barred the way. Rules before relief was the dictum* Language fails before sm-h grote-que. such colossal, and such criminal a procedure. Now another rule results in the death of an infant (or would seem to the majority Io have done so), and has inflicted unthinkable mental suffering on the mot her. How many more rules are there? one repeats. e, the public, who foot the bill, have a right to know: and it. would be satisfactory to find out exactly when, where, and how sufferers can obtain to that extraordinary institution. 4* Kangaroo v. Lion. They admittedly had hard Im k ail through the pi.?ce, but after making all allowances om* is forced to confess that Darling ami Co. vv<n? not equal to the task set them. Many of us were somewhat surprised la*t season when Warner’s not. too first-class eh*ven recovered the ashes, and bore them over the sea, but the sequel proves what I have previously expressed, that Australian cricket is not what it used to be. 'I h** game is <‘xpyiLeming one of those slumps which are inseparable from cricket, or in fact any other irame. The Cornstalks art quitve up to country form, ami, in fact , are a bit it. but they are many points behind a test elev<*n. \\** hear a good deal about "r.»?w bl*)o«l,’; and that sort of thing, but an impartial observer of the game across the Tasman Sea would be puzzled to know where to suggest alterations in the team that went Hom** in th/* summer. It is also significant that the men who have been «d most service to lhe Kangaroo in his endeavours to recover the aslicjs are old stagers, while lhe new b’ood was a conspicuous n*m-su<-ce>s. The batting of ihc (oloniais was disappointing, with lialf-a-dozen brilliant exceptions, but the bowling was tin? weak spot, as we all anticipate**!. As events turned out, it was even worse than we dared to fear, and it is here that Australia will have to improv** vastly L?fore we can expect to Imve the ashes once more on this side of the globe. 'The aggregate of w ins in test matches is slightly in favour of the Old Country, and it was th»* fond hope of all good Australians that this season their

chosen would be abk to «*pialise matters. Unfortunately, they were donmed to disapjM»iiitm* nt. Eng|ai»d has won 33 matches. Australia 28. and 14 mat«4i* s haw.* been drawn. A rather amusing barometer of th** popularity of the several nirmb<*rs of the colonial team in the Old Country is provided |>y the svheinr «>f a Ijontlon journal, which auctioned a lot of autograph portraits of thy visitors in aid of the Fresh Air Filial. The result« were as under: — Tltl Ml’Elt. Five at 5/, four at 3/, two at 2/. CLEM HILL.—One at half a guinea, one at 7/0. two at 5/, seven at 3, , and eight nt half a crown. ARMSTRONG.— Six at 5/, one nt half a crown. HOPKINS.—Tw»i at three nt 3 . «me at half a crown. NOBLE.—Two at 5/, seven at 3/, »»nv at half a crown. DARLING (tin* captain). — Four at 5/. four at 3/. ami six at half a «*r«»wi». GREGORY.—One at 5/, three at 3/, and four at 2 . McLEOD.—One at 4/, three at 3/(t, two at 2/. . •* KELLY.- Two at 5. , four at half a crown, one at A/. COTTER.—F«»ur at 5/, three at 3/. and «me at 2.'rt. DUFF.—One at one at 4/. two at 3/«», and two at half a crown. HOWELL.- Thro* at 3. <>, two at 3/. ami LAVER (th»- manager).—Two at 5/, one at 3/. and two at half a crown. GEHRS. Om- nt 3/0. two at 2', three at 1/. NEWLAND. two at half a “ erown ami three at U. ; . 4? 4’ • ’ A Chance at Last for Ambitious N.Z. Authors and Composers. Hardly a week passes when the editor of this pap**r is not, at personal interview, or by many letters, re<piest**d to furnish New Zealand writers with hints as to the best: way of placing their efforts before 4he public, and entering on the career of literature. From the secretary of the Lyceum (3ub, I have received a communimtion which affords a very excellent answer to smh queries. Here it is: “The necessity of making known and finding a market for the writings of colonial authoresses in the Home Country is one of the chief- objects of the Lyceum Club, whi«-h has for its ainj lhe bringing together of. all the intellectual and artistic women of the vvorhl. So much good work has reached the headquarters of the Club. 128, Piccadilly, London. England, that it has been decided to publish volumes of work contributed entirely by colonial members, Australia. Africa. Canada, India and New Zealand each being represented by a volume or volumes, according to tin* quality of work. Mrs Alfrc<l Lyttelton, wife of th** Colonial Secretary, is deeply, interested in the scheme, and many prominent English writers, including Thomas Hardy, Robert Barr. Mrs Flora Annie Steel, etc., etc., have promised to judge the work sent. in. “There are no restrictions as 4 •' l he length or nature of the literary work —short stories, sketches, poems, and even nov’els being allowable, but owing to the enormous quantity anticipated,

only work of real merit should be sent. All MSS. must be typv-w rit ten, and written on one side of paper only. The authors will be well remunerated on a royalty basis, and the greatest interest in the forthcoming books is being manifested. “The last day for sending in will not be till January 31, 1906, so that colonial women writers will have full time to send for full particulars to Miss Constance Smedley. Lyceum Club. 128, Piccadilly, London. England. ’•Known anti unknown writers are invited to compete in the representation of their colony. . ‘•'rhe Lyceum Club is also instituting A gigantic International Competition for the works of women composers. These musical compositions, which must be unpublished. and which must not have been publicly performed, will be judged by a magnificent International Jury of the world’s greatest musicians. The jury is bring organised from the principal music cent res of the world, and the time fixed for sending in is not until May Ist, 1906, so that composers in all parts of the world may have due chance. Orchestral and choral compositions, vocal and instrumental music, will all be suitable. All music must be sent to Miss Contance Smedley, Lyceum (lub, 128, Piccadilly, London. England. “'fhe successful compositions will be performed at a series of concerts in the finest West End Hall in London, as well as in Paris and Berlin, interpreted by the finest artistes—so that unknown musicians or‘composers condemned to tie* incessant turning out of pot-boilers may wake t<» find themselves famous, not only in London, but through Europe! , ' In all these competitions the Lyceum (•lub has determined to raise the standand of woman’s work, and by the severity of their tests; and the great recognition awarded to the work, which withstands those tests, to encourage women in the pursuit of the highest ideals. Some, of the world’s greatest authors, artists and musicians. men and women alike, have given their practical support and help to the Lyceum (lub in this great object ; and these names include those of Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, ILA., John Lavery, John Swan. R.A., L. Haven-Hill, dlavid Murray,- 1 R.A., Byam Shaw, George Clausen. A.R.A., among the artists who judge l he Lyceum Art Exhib'ftFons. Esther Palliser; Mark Mamboing, Blanche Marchesi, Percy Grainger, Kreisler. Fanny Davies. Susan Strong, are among the musicians who play at 1 he Lyceum ( lub, and are helping it in its musical aspirations; while Conan Doyle, Rider Haggard, Jerome K. Jerome, Maurice Hewlett. Robert Barr, Anthony Hope. Mr and Mrs Egerton Castle, Beatrice Harraden. Mrs Campbell Praed and Helen Mathers are among the authors whose faces one sees at the weekly house dinners at the magnificent London club-house, and who have in public speech and word expressed their deep sympathy with the objects of the club.’’ O' Q # # The Seamy Side of Japan. The mood of the moment, to worship the Rising Suu will find a useful corrective in the article which Mr Kitchi Kaneko, a Japanese Socialist, contributes to the “Arena.” This observer is very far from thinking Japan and the Japanese the idyllic paradise of the modern work!. He tells us that most of the popular pictures of-Japan as the abode of peace, .sobriety and prosperous industry are fairy tales. He says: •'Japanese history is a history of war, of bloodshed, of warriors. No nation ever existed in the world’s history with such a sanguinary record as Japan. We have saloons under the name of beerhalls, of Sakaya. and the machiai, which is very much worse than the American isaloon. We also .have many strikes nowadays going on much of the time. The condition of the working-men in Japan is a most miserable one. 'They arc yet in a state which may be described as wage slavery. In 1899 we had 280.922 workers employed in the various factories in Japan. Of these 184.111 were female workers. They are working generally twelve hours a day. and sometimes fifteen hours, for a wage varying from 6d to 1/ per day. While the cost of living is increasing year by year. Hie workmen’s wages are not increasing accord-

ingly. The conditions of his labour are terrible; 2810 workmen were injured in a single mouth in-1904 in Hte-Tokio ar scnal. Our agricultural p'rod-ncts are not enough to support our people. We are importing Chinese rice nearly every year. The Japanese government system is the make-believe system. It is not by the people, of the people, for the people. It is the government of the few. of the nobh k s. of the titles, and. above all, of the figure-head—the Mikado. Who can prove that Ito is greater than Witte, that the Imperial Diet is better than the Russian Zemstvo? I am of the opinion that these differences of political institutions are not of much importance when it comes to the actual strength of the people. Some critic has said that the Japanese are playing with their toys namely, the constitution and the Parliament.” As for liberty of the press, it enn hardly be said to exist in a laud where editors can be. and are, sent to gaol for ■criticising the legislation proposed by the Government. “In Japan it is absolutely impossible to criticise or even to talk about the royal family.” <5 O £• *> O How Australia Views Our Case. It may be that at the New Zetland elections. t<» be held some six months hence. Mr Seddou’s prodigiously long tenure of office will at last be seriously threatened. The political prophets are saying so. pointing to the up-springing of new hostile forces, and predicting tha»t the political dexterity of the Premier must have reached its limit. As much, however, has been said on the eve of previous battles: yet (says the “Australasian”) expectant observers watched in vain for the star of Seddon tv) wane and set. Whenever eclipse comes, however, Mr Seddon will have achieved a record in office-holding unparalleled in colonial politics. It is approached only by the duration of Sir John Forrest’s “empire" in the West, and that terminated after ten years, whereas Mr" Seddon. who first hand ted a Mimsteridl portfolio in 1891. has never sineb laid it aside. It is curious (o reflect upon the colleagues and opponents who have nourished and faded have 1 had their little day and ceased to be—while the New Zealand Premier has remained constant, if by no means changeless, at his post. Individuals have withered, blit Seddonism was more and more. There was a distant time when Mr Rolleston. a valued member of the almost forgotten Ila 11-Atkinson party of the seventies and eighties, led the. opposition to the present Government. Equally remote seems the period when Sir Robert Stout, baulked mysteriously of the Premiership, sat in the House, a potent critic of the Ministry, to be translated presently to the Chief Justiceship: from fear rather than affection. Will Ihe inner history of the attempted Ballance bequest ever be written for the delectation of the New Zealand political student? Very long ago. too. there was believed to be a period of storm and stress even among the happy Ministerial family. Did not Mr W. P. Reeves drift, away to London, where he still remains, and how often was the Highland temper of the late Mr “Jock” McKenzie (who became Sir John) raised to fever point? Colleagues of Mr Seddon have had time to go and come again, like Mr Cadman; to sink and rise resplendent, like Sir Joseph Ward, the Premier’s only likely rival at this moment. Long years of service in opposition were done by Captain (now Sii* William) Russell, without ever reaching near the reward which usually crowns at some time the Leader of the Left ; and who can tell whether Mr Massey, his successor. will reach the guerdon either. A procession of Governors has passed—Lord Onslow. Lord Glasgow (who. greatly daring, crossed blades with Mr Seddon). Lord Ranfurly. and now Lord Plunkett, yet the Premier continues his course as a champion cuist. prolongs his break at billiards. Mr Seddon was to attain Imperial honours as a South African Governor : later he was to descend upon London as the first New Zealand High (ommissioiicr. Neit her rumoured pros pert was realised, and it requires wide imagination now io figure Air Seddon nuyw'hrre hut, in. the particular niche he has managed to occupy so long.