THE OLD COUNTRY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 12, 16 September 1908, Page 6

THE OLD COUNTRY.

‘‘The Times” suggests that Rear-Ad* miral Scott’s cruiser squadron visiting the Cape should proceed to Australia. Frank Wootton, the Australian jockey, rode four winners at Doncaster yester* day. “The Tinies” states that the South Aus-, tralian two million loan will appear with* in a few days. The War Office is inviting tenders, returnable by January 7, for a 12 months’ supply of frozen beef and mutton for South Africa, commencing on April 1. British imports for August decreased by £6,544,000, exports by £7,012,000, and re-exports by £547,000, as compared with! the previous August. Saturday was the busiest day yet recorded at the Franco-British Exhibition, over half a million visitors passing the turnstiles. In his recent record flight Orville Wright, the American aeroplanist, remained 701 minutes in the air, covering a distance of 38 miles. Australia’s Navy. The “Standard” publishes a communi* cation made to its Melbourne correspond dent by Mr. Deakin, favouring an Aus* tralian squadron. The “Standard” comments on the subject sympathetically, and warmly supports Mr. Deakin’s ideal of a strong de* fence squadron, which would relievo the Imperial navy of a wearing responsibility, and help to dispel every natural local nervousness. “The Times” sympathises on general grounds with the policy of a white Australia, but declares that the Empire can hold empty spaces for Australia only il she does her utmost to utilise them. “The Empire,” as the price of the support of this ’white Australia’ policy,’* “The Times” continues, “may fairly require, and must require, a conscientious effort on Australia’s part to set aside the jealousies between States and Commonwealth, which now hamper the needed stream of immigrants, and dangerously; retard the peopling of the Continent. “Meanwhile, and until Australia has assumed her own defence, the navy, stands responsible for Australia’s security. Tlie present disposition, which is designed merely to fit present requirements, could be altered at any momenti the need may arise in acordance with the shifting phases of international relationships.” Work and Wages. Mr. D. J. Shackleton (Labour member, for the Clitheroe division of Lancashire), presiding at the Trade Union Congress at Nottingham, representing a membership of 1,776,000, said that unemployment was more than ever the urgenfl question of the hour. The first effective alteration must be as reduction of the hours of labour, but thia could not be approached solely from a national standpoint. The efforts of the trade federations in various countries and conferences, such as the international association for promoting labour legislation, suggested, in his opinion, the expediency for summoning a conference representing all the European Governments, also the United States. The British Government would rightly interpret the desires of the workers if they took the lead and arranged for the holding of such * conference. The Trades Union Congress has passej

H resolution demanding larger grants for public works for the relief of the unemjdoyed. Several speakers warned the Government against the danger of violence during the coming winter. The children under five years of age of the unemployed in Glasgow are receiving three meals a day. The unemployed, who are well organised, are starting midnight marches through the wealthy suburbs. The corporation of Glasgow has purchased 170 acres of land in order to provide work for the unemployed. The Liverpool corporation is taking similar action. The Ties That Bind. A farewell banquet was tendered Mr, JKldston, Premier of Queensland, on September 7 in London. Many prominent Australians were present. Mr. Kidston in responding to the toast Of his health, said that after the English visit he was more than ever opposed to those in Queensland who decried the Old Country. He deprecated the idea of quarrelling with the Federation. Australia required a strong central Government, but with the States having financial independence for their development. He deprecated any attempt to destroy the State Government system. The Protestant Association has requested the police to forbid the Procession of the Blessed Sacrament in tho neighbourhood of Westminster Cathedral tin Sunday as illegal and idolatrous. The procession is the chief ceremonial In connection with the Eucharistic Congress. A guard of honour of 200,000 men is being organised to line the route of the procession. Hoßoming South Africa. Admiral Sir Percy Scott's squadron of first-class cruisers has sailed from Portsmouth on a visit to South African ports, in connection with the sittings of the •Federation Convention. The squadron of Rear-Admiral Sir Percy Scott, K.C.V.0., C. 8., consists of his present flagship, the Good Hope, and the cruisers Antrim, Carnarvon and Devonshire of the Second Cruiser Squadron. •The announcement of the visit is of more interest than appears on the surface. For some time the Admiralty hoped to find some means of ending, by a method honourable to both officers, the iinfortunate situation which has arisen since last autumn between Lord Charles Beresford, the Commander-in-Chief of the Channel Fleet, and the Rear-Admiral commanding the associated cruiser nquadron. The coincidence that at the moment when it is wished to honour South Africa by sending a force of men-■of-war to the Cape, Sir Percy Scott has Ids flag flying in the first-class cruiser Good Hope, named after one of the Colonies concerned in the approaching conference, naturally suggested, the desirability of including this ship in the (squadron. The fact that this rear-ad-miral is the hero of one of the most famous incidents in the story of the South African War—the mounting of 4.7 in. naval guns for service ashore ip the defence of Ladysmith—must have led the authorities irresistibly to the conclusion that he should go out in command of the squadron selected for the service. But the difficulty was that Sir Percy Scott controls a section of the Channel Fleet, part of the home defence organisation which it is undesirable should be divorced, even for a short period, from the routine of war training jvhich is always in progress. A solution was found by an exchange between Rear-Admiral 0. H. Adair, of the First Cruiser Squadron (Atlantic Fleet), who flies his flag in the Drake, and Sir Percy Bcott, whose flagship, the Good Hope, is Ct sister vessel. ' Important R.C. Congress. r — The Eucharistic Congress opened in {London on September 0. Cardinal Vantoutelli (Papal Legate) was met by the (Bishop of Dover, Archbishop Bourne, Bishop of Dunrdin, and the Duke t>f Norfolk. A large and enthusiastic gathering welcomed him at Charing Cross Station. Orville Wright's aeroplane, in its latest test, remained in the air for 62 minutes continuously, covering a distance of 39 miles. The delegates include eight cardinals, |S archbishops, 70 bishops, 22 abbots, and many other dignitaries of the Church from all parts of the world.

During four days of the Congress 10,000 masses were said, with elaborate musio in the Cathedral. The entire Congress related to subjects connected with the Eucharist. Catholic peers accommodated many of the leading visitors. A solemn service m the Cathedral in the evening, in the presence of a gathering of 7000, inaugurated the Eucharistic Congress. Cardinal Vannutelli, the Papal Legate, was received at the door in state by Archbishop Bourne. He wore a scarlet cappu magna, and was conducted under a lofty canopy of white silk and gold, to the high altar, attended by a procession of richly habited cardinals and prelates. Apostolic letters appointing Cardinal Vannutelli, as Papal Legate, were read, in which the Pope paid a tribute to the Empire famed for the liberty extended to its citizens, and to whose authority and law so many millions of Roman Catholics rendered faithful and dutiful obedience. The Legale then entered the pulpit, and, speaking in Latin, acknowledged Britain’s hospitality, offered an expression of respect to the wise ruler of her destinies, and his acknowledgments to those in authority. Archbishop Carr, of Melbourne, sat next the Cardinals at the High Altar. Dr. Lenihan, ishop of Auckland, and other colonial bishops, were accommodated in the Sanctuary. The proposal to hold a procession of the Host through tha streets of London last Sunday was strongly objected to by tha representatives of over 50 Protestant societies, and a petition was sent to the King, who wa sasked to forbid it, as it might lead to religious riots. For two days there were telegraphic negotiations between Mr Asquith and Archbishop Bourne, of Westminster, relating to the procession. The Prime Minister deprecated the procession, and Archbishop Bourne required Mr Asquith to make public his request for its abandonment. The Premier then intimated that it was better, in the interests of order and good feeling, that a ceremonial of which he questioned the legality should not take place. The Archbishop decided that all ecclesiastical ceremonial should be eliminated from the procession. The cardinals and bishops proceeded to the cathedral along the route in full court dress, but the ceremonial of tha procession was held within the cathedral, and the Legate’s Benediction was bestowed from the balcony of the cathedral. A voluntary guard of honour accompanied the procession, which numbered 12,000 persons. The spectacle was an imposing one. Many small windows were let to persons desirous of viewing the procession at 10 guineas each. There were 500 polioc on special duty. Viscount L-landaff read a paper, and the Duke of Norfolk, in the subsequent discussion,described the Royal declaration on taking the coronation oath as an insult to the King, and to the good sense of the nation, besides being a travesty on the Catholic doctrine. An announcement was made that the Congress in 1909 would be held at Lourdes, and in 1910 at Montreal. Wreck of British Steamer. According to Rio Janeiro newspapers, the British steamer Spartan Prince, from New York, has been sunk as a result of a collision at Ceara, on the north-east, coast of Brazil. Fourteen members of the crew are reported missing. Towns-Barry Sculling Match. The final deposit pf £lOO a-sido in connection with the Sculling match between George Towns, the former champion, and Erenst Barry, was made on September 11. Both men are in excellent condition. Prominent amateurs have generously assisted Towns in his training expenses. To Foster Billiards. A Billiards’ Control Club has been formed by loading amateurs, with the support of the principal makers, to endeavour to ido for billiards what the M.C.C. does for cricket. The committee of the new institution includes the Luke of Rutland and Earls do Gray and Lonsdale. English billiards are now governed by

the rules of the Billiard Association of Great Britain, but it has long been recognised that the sport has suffered through a lack of adequate control and revision of rules and of a satisfactory central management, sueh as would be provided for the government of both amateur and professional sections by an institution on M.C.C. lines. The South Australian two million loan has been issued at 97J. The “ Tinies ” considers it more than time a High Commissioner was appointed to represent Australia. The Wright Aeroplane. The Wrights have claimed longer flights than this, both in time and in distance, but this is the first recorded instance of an aeroplane remaining in the air longer than an hour. The distance covered is also greater than any previously measured run. Salving the Gladiator. The salvors have righted the British cruiser Gladiator, which was beached in onder to prevent her sinking after colliding with the American liner St. Paul in the Solent. It is hoped that the cruiser will be floated off shortly. Empty Buses. The London General Omnibus Company carried 12,658,000 fewer passengers in 1907 than in 1908. The decline was chiefly due to the competition of the underground railways. Uneasy Ireland. Mr. John Redmond (leader of the Irish party in the House of Commons), speaking at Waterford prior to sailing for New York, said that unless the Government fulfilled its pledges it would speedily find Ireland ungovernable. Compulsory powers, Mr. Redmond continued, wore absolutely necessary to secure a complete settlement of the land question, but unless Irishmen relinquished their personalities and concentrated all their energies in a united effort for reform, their demands would not be conceded. Scenes like that which had occurred last week at Newcastle West (County Limerick), where a United Irish League meeting was broken up and two Irish members violently assaulted, were a discredit and disgrace, and sooner than again participate in internecine strife he would quit Irish politics altogether. Mr. Redmond added that the only human agency capable of seriously delaying the realisation of the hopes of Home Rule was dissension among themselves. Glasgow Unemployed. The Glasgow unemployed, continuing their policy of midnight processions in the wealthy quarters of the town, held a meeting in St. George’s Square at twelve o’clock on September 9. Many inflammatory speeches were made, and the police accordingly dispersed tho gathering. Three thousand men, however, re-as-sembled after tho departure of the police, and forming into a procession started to march to the Lord Provost's house. When the procession was a quarter of a-mile from its destination a squad of mounted police suddenly charged, and scattered the mob in all directions. Batons were freely used, and many heads were broken. Good Advice “The Times,” in an article dealing with Lord Northcote’s farewell, refers to the high tribute paid to him and his successor, and, reverting to tho question of immigration, urges the States forthwith to make a virtue of an impending necessity. It adds that as the main power of the purse will shortly devolve upon the Commonwealth, the States might save much overlapping of effort and expenditure. “The Tinies” considers it more than time a High Commissioner was appointed. Loudon-Queensland Service. Mr. Kidstotl, Premier of Queensland, has left London on his homeward journey. Ils has completed arrangements with the British India Steam Navigation Company for a steamer service through Torres Straits.

The company receives a subsidy ot X and provides a 35 days’ ecrvica between London and Thursday Island, steamers to run monthly, commencing in October, and to call at Cairns, Townsville, Port Alma, and any other port which offers 150 tons of cargo. The return trip ia to be made via tho Cape. Uniform freight rates are to ba charged from all Queensland ports, and the steamers engaged in the service wilt be of 5500 tons register. Monster Battleship. The Countess of Beauchamp performed the christening ceremony at the launch ing of the new battleship St. Vincent (10,260 tons) at Portsmouth la-t Friday. Refrigeration Conference. Thirty Government, will participate in the congress on the question of refrigeration, which is to be opened in Paris on October 5. Six separate sections win sit. Mr. T. A. Coghlan (Agent-General for New South Wales) will read a paper on State encouragement given by various countries to the refrigerating industry. Mr. Gilbert Anderson (Christchurch Meat Company) will read a paper on New Zealand meat inspection from an international standpoint. Mr. Thaddeus S. C. Lowe, of California (inventor of the compression ice machine), will speak on artificial cold in the manufacture and preservation of butter. A paper on colonial produce, eapaMo of benefiting by refrigeration, will be read by Mr. Walter Preedy, and scientific papers will be submitted. Solar Observatory in Australia. The British Association has formed an influential committee to aid in establishing a solar observatory in Australia. The president (Sir David Gill, K. 0.8., P.R.S.) has been appointed chairman of the committee, and Mr. W. G. Duffield, of Adelaide, secretary. A Sensible Programme. Despite Roman Catholic protests, th» Nottingham Trades Union Congress, by votes representing 1,433,000 members, against 131,000, recommended national free secular education, popular control from the primary school to the university, and secondary technical education to all children, with scientifically organised open-air recovery schools.