THE OLD COUNTRY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 21, 18 November 1908, Page 6

THE OLD COUNTRY.

During the past week Prank Wootton has ridden winners in nine races. .Victoria makes a-good-display of dairy and other produce in the Colonial Produce Exhibition at Liverpool. Mr. Asquith gave a sympathetic reply last week to the Proportional Representation Society's deputation. Mrs. Asquith and other ladies appeal for personal service amongst the London poor during the winter Mrs. Pankhurst has Leen released front Holloway Gaol on the ground of illhealth. The Order of Merit has been conferred on Sir Alfred Russell Wallace, President of the Land Nationalisation Society. The Rev. Crozier has resigned his living at St. George's Church, Dublin, worth £BOO a year, to assume the leadership of the Bush Brotherhood, in Queensland. Mr. Asquith has received a petition signed by 244 members of the House of Commons, requesting him to include a tax on land values in tne next Budget. The municipal elections have resulted in the return of 165 Conservative Mayors in England and Wales, 19 Liberal Unionists, 121 Liberals, and five Labour nominees. The death is announced of Sir J. J. Duveen, the great art dealer, who, besides presenting the nation with a number of valuable paintings, recently presented the British Art Gallery with funds for tile erection of a new wing. A coal dealer of Wigan has been sentenced to two months’ hard labour for attempting to bribe L. B. Todd and If. Johnston, the New Zealanders now playing with Wigan Northern Rugby Union football team to lose a match. The sculling cup for £SOO, presented by the Nugget Polish Company for an international race on the Thames, has been fixed for the end of July, on the Thames championship eour-e, from Putney to Mortlake. Colonial entries dose on May 1. In replying to a presmtatino made at a complimentary dinner, the late AgentGeneral for Mouth Australia, Mr. Jenkins, advocated a strong Commonwealth inamigration policy. The greatest protection

for Australia wou’d be to fill the country with British people. Sir Joseph Carruthers’ proposal to ereet a memorial in London to Captain Cook, is supported by a number of Admirals and other influential people. Mrs Armstrong, wife of Madame Melba's son, who was only married this year, has obtained a divorce from her husband on the grounds of cruelty and misconduct. The Bishop of Melanesia complains publicly that the British Government’s refusal to place the Mission steamer Southern Cross on the same footing aS vessels of the Royal Navy, forms one of the greatest difficulties confronting the Melanesian Mission. A Double Error. The Elcho Challenge Shield contest has been declared void, as p. Scottish competitor used a rifle which did not comply with the regulations. England top, scored in the match, but the team was disqualified owing to a slight technical breach by one of the competitors, the Shield being then awarded to Scotland. Possible Way Ont. A hundred Nonconformist members of Hie House of Commons met, and resolved by a large majority, to support the negotiations of Mr. Walter Runeiman, President of the Board of Education, towards a compromise in the Education Bill deadlock. Mr. Runeiman explained to the meeting the result of his negotiations with the Archbishop of Canterbury for an Education Bill compromise. The chief points at issue were whether absolute right, of entry’ to all schools should be permitted in school hours, ami whether the head teacher should be forbidden or permitted to give denominational instruction. Mr. Runeiman explained that the Government would proceed with its own - bill, unless the compromise was supported by the general body- of Nonconformist members. The meeting, though not unanimously, adopted a resolution which is interpreted t o mean that Mr. Runeiman is authorised to continue the negotiations. Opposition to the Education Bill compromise is increasing both from Nonconformists and Churchmen, v despite Mr. Rumanian's warning that there is no hope of legislation this Parliament if the present opportunity passes. - Dr.-Clifford declares that the statutory right of entry’ into council schools, or allowing head teachers to become Church officers is inadmissible. Cheap Cabling. In an address delivered at the Colonial Institute last week Mr. Henniker Heaton, M.P., again advocated his universal penny-a-word cable scheme. Mr. Heaton believed that the collapse of the relentless opposition that had been offered to Imperial penny postage justi’ lied the belief that the chief cable scheme would be successful in the nearest future. If political frontiers were abolished or ignored by an arrangement with foreign Governments, the chief obstacle would be removed. If that were possible, he relied on Marconi. < ■ ,• ..: llie Postmastens-General of the Empire ought, he considered, as a first step, to meet in London and the Home and Colonial Governments should offer to construct land lines to portions of the Empire along the route to British oversea possessions. ' The money the various Governments now expended on cabling was more than sufficient to pay the interest- on all the cables and land lines it would be necessary to acquire. - If the cable monopolies would not move in the direction of reducing rates, reformers were, he declared, independent of them. If a cable to Canada were constructed the la nd lines would do the rest. The natural trade route to Australasia was via India and China. "The British and Colonial Governments together could either buy’ out the cable companies at the market price or act as indicated. The first step was to call an Imperial conference, and then a conference with the American jHista] authorities, and also to link up the land lines of Europe with India, China and Australia. Signor Marconi added that if the Government* would pay the working expensee of stations on lioth sides of ths Atlantic, and give a comparatively moderate subsidy, he would be prepared U|

transmit penny-a-word messages to Canada wirelessly. Mr. Neilson, director of several cable companies, speaking in defence of the cable companies, argued that in the case Of the Antipodes, 36 times the present traffic would be needed at a penny to earn the same gross revenues as is now earned at 3/ a word, and that at least 72 cables would be needed at the penny rate, necessitating the construction of 68 new lines at a cost of 170 millions, and then there would be only the present gross revenue to provide interest on capital, working expense, repairs, and depreciation. Australian Footballer*. In their return match with London last week the Wallabies again handsomely defeated the Metropolitan team, scoring 24 points, three goals, a penalty goal and two tries, to three, one try. The English Rugby Union entertained the “Wallabies” at dinner last week. Mr. Rowland Hill, president, who was in the chair, congratulated- the team on their great achievements. They were, he said, playing the game according to the best traditions of British sport. Colonel Laffan, in the absence of Lord Desborough, president of the Olympic games’ committee, presented the team with the medals which they won at the Olympic Rugby football championship, when they defeated Cornwall, the representatives of England. The Wallabies (the Australian amateur Rugby team) defeated Cambridge University on Saturday by one goal two tries (eleven points) to one converted try and a dropped goal (nine points). The only score in the first half was a try by Moran, which was unconverted. Carroll and Dix secured tries early in the second half, and Carmichael converted the first. Then Wright scored a try- for Cambridge. Wright added a dropped goal during the last minute of play. The Cambridge forwards gave a brilliant exposition, and frequently they nearly sec ed, but their backs were unequal to the Wallabies. Warrington beat the Australian League (professional) team by two goals and two tries to a try. Messenger did not play. Warrington scored an unconverted try in the first half and pressed the" Australians ttlmosV throughout the second half, scoring a try which was converted and another iifi-' converted. Then Courtney scored for the League, -and a Warrington three«uarter dropped a goal in the last minute. Colonial Investments. Mr. Arthur C. T. Beck, Liber:] M.P. for the Wisbeck division of Cambridge, asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he would consider the advisability of . giving small investors faci.ities for investing, in remunerative colonial securities, while making plain that the colonial and not the Home Government guaranteed such securities. Mr. Hobhouse, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, replied that such facilities ought to be provided by the Colonial Governments. England’s Policy. The King's Birthday was celebrated ‘throughout the British Empire. In London the Lord Mayor’s show was the principal sight, the chief feature being Mr. Louis Parker’s pageant of literature—the Canterbury pilgrims, Spenser’s knights, Shakespeare’s sprites and heroes, and. later "literary association with Fleetstreet. Glorious weather prevailed, and immense crowds witnessed the spectacle. The gathering at- the Guildhall banquet, which followed, included the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Hart (late Chief of Customs in China), numerous judges, diplomats, and other distinguished persons. The new Lord Mayor, Sir George Truscott, read a message expressing King Edward’s cordial thanks for the numerous birtlalay congratulations that had been received. Mr. Asquith, responding to the toast of “The Ministry,” referred at the outset to the present trade depression. He was sanguine enough, provided tne peace of the world wns maintained, to believe that permissible without the consent of the other parties, especially of Turkey. There was never any foundation for the suspicion that the Government had proposes!, deprecated, or discourager! direct negotiations between Turkey mid Austria, or {Turkey and Bulgaria. ‘‘We have,” he continued, “no prefer-

cnee for any particular method of settlement, and wish to do our utmost to promote a general agreement, and restore things to a normal and recognised condition." Referring to the Kaiser’s emphatic and impressive declaration at the Guildhall, on the occasion of his recent visit to this country, that the governing purpose of his policy was the maintenance of the peace of Europe, and good relations between Britain and Germany, Mr. Asquith remarked, “It is in that spirit we desire to deal with the other Powers, with Germany not less than the others." Commenting on the navy, Mr. Asquith remarked: “People of Great Britain hold with unshaken unanimity that the maintenance, unquestioned and unquestionable, of our command of the seas is the best safeguard of our national existence and the peaceful intercourse of mankind." Mr. Asquith’s speech met with general satisfaction, and criticism is limited to the absence of a distinct affirmation of the two-Power standard. The Monorail. Colonel Seely, Under-Secretary for the Colonies, in reply to questions in the House of Commons, said that Brennan’s gyroscopic monorailway was a most interesting invention. He would consider the possibility of enabling members to see it at work. Until it had been practically tested it was impossible to say whether it was suitable for the purpose of opening up British areas in Africa. An Expression of Disapproval. Three men motored out from London to the “Abode of Love’’ at Spaxton, and raided the headquarters of the Agapemonites. They seized Piggott’s secretary, Read, and one of the three, Buxton, placed on his head a helmet full of t.ir and feathers. They were subsequently arrested, and Buxton was sentenced to a month*® imprisonment with hand' labour, the others being fined. Suaviter in Modo. Mrs. Henry Fawcett, o n behalf of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies, has addressed a circu.af letter to the members of the House of Commons expressing deep regret at the militant methods of the suffragettes,, and asking -Parliament to enfranchise -women next session.. The Advancement of the Sex. Dr. Elizabeth G. Anderson has been elected Mayor of Aldeburgh. in Suffolk. She is the first lady Mayor to be ejected in England. Mrs. Anderson has sat in the Aldeburgh Municipal Council for a year. Her last husband- was managing director of the Orient Line. She is now 72 years of am-. Fifty years ago she began the study °of medicine, but being refused admission to the examination of the College ol Surgeons and Physicians, she went to France, and there won her M.D. degree. She is now secretary of the Imperial Vaccination League. Our First Line. Replying to a question in the House of Commons, Mr. Asquith s-id the Government accepted the two-Power naval standard, defined as 10 per cent above the combined strength of the ships of the two next strongest Powers. The announcement was received with cheering from both sides of the House. Most of the newspapers express great approval of the anouncemcnt. The Licensing Bill. The “Times’* advises the House, of Lords to reject the Licensing Bill, since it is impossible for the Chamber to amend the confiscatory principle. Mr. Asquith will move the recommittal of the Licensing Bill in order to add a new clause providing that no new licenses be granted to “tied” houses. Unsociable Socialists. The Rev. R. J. Campbell, in the course of a sermon at the City Temple, attributed the setback to Socialism received nt the recent municipal elections to the actions of some professing to be iU spokesmen.

It was deplorable when the sufferings of the i»oor were calling forth almost universal commiseration and sympathy that some so-called Socialists should use language inciting mobs to violence — language that was the very negation of the ideal professed, and expressive of greed and cruelty and not of love and brotherlioo>- 1. Possibly Socialism would suffer similarly at the Parliamentary polls. Reforming the Lords. It is understood that the committee appointed, on the motion of the Earl of Rosebery, to consider suggestions made for increasing the efficiency of the House of Lords recognises the expediency of altering the composition of the Chamber, so as to secure wider representation of the varied interests of the country than the hereditary system ensures. The committee believes that the reform will be doubly valuable if effected at a time when the House occupies a high position in the country's estimation. At It Again. A number of suffragettes greatly interrupted an address delivered at the City Temple last week by M. A. Birrell (Chief Secretary for Ireland), under the auspices of the Liberation Society. Several free fights took place between the supporters and opponents of the suffragist movement, and 13 women and three men were ejected. The Unemployed. There is much comment on the action of Mr. Asquith, at the instance of the Labour party, in promising almost apologetically after consulting Mr. John Burns (President of the Locr.l Government Board) to revise Mr. Burns’ circular to the distress committees. The complaint made by Mr. Henderson (the chairman of the party) was based on the fact that Mr. Asquith’s promise to abolish two disqualifications regarding distress and employment had been modified, the circuit- leaving it optional to the committees to withhold such employment from improper applicants. Mr. Buras’ policy Was intended to shut out the habitual loafer. Unionist newspapers protest against Mr. Asquith's flinging 'of his colleague to the'Socialist wtdves instead of defending him. The “Times”-urges Mr. Asquith t 6 rise above constitutional precedent, which is h rdly applicable in the present circumstances, and forthwith place the contracts for the new battleships ami destroyers needed, thus simultaneously alleviating distress in the shipbuilding centres. Barry Declines. Ernest Barry, who recently defeated Geo. Towns for the sculling championship of England, has decided that in view of the £5OO sculling handicap fixed for July next it is inadvisable tor nim to accept the invitation to go to Australia. Barry was asked by Mr. Mclntosh to name his own terms for a visit to Australia to row, the winner of the forthcoming match between Arnst and Webb, other matches being also in contemplation. EUROPE. Sincere satisfaction is expressed in Paris at the passing of the cloud between France and Germany. Ihe North German Lloyd’s George Washington, a vessel ot 36.000 tons, has been launched from the Vulcan yards. The Oriental Railway Company demands £5,500.000 as the ’ price of the Eastern Roiimelian branch. This delays the negotiations for he Balkans settlement, Bulgaria deeming the price exorbitant. A semiofficial denial is published of th? story of the “Neues Weiner that a petition had been presented to King Peter of Servia. asking him to abdicate in favour <rf the Crown Prince. The Kaiser Scolded. Unprecedented interest was taken in the debate in the Reichstag upon the R'dieal and Socialist demand for the abolition of the personal regime, people waiting for seven hours in the sharp frost for admission to the public galleries*. Prince von Buelow, on arriving, was warmly cheered, but a minority of the crowd raised shouts of "Resign.” The House was never packed.

There was remarkable unanimity among the speakers, j»J| parties condemning the Kaiser’s personal policy and its effect abroad, also repudiating the allegation that Germans were unfriendly to Britain. Prince von Buelow agreed with them, and described the interview that has given rise to so much feeling as an incorrect and exaggerated report of various conversations with private persons. He denied tha*. then* was any “plan of campaign.” It was merely «u aphorism. He denied that any other than commercial ideas regarding (ho Far East had been expressed by the Kaiser. Germany’* desire, he continued. w.ifl for peaceful and friendly relations with Britain. He was convinced that the Kaiser would in future observe in even private conversations the reserve which was inlispensablc for consistent po.icy and to the authority of the. Crown. Were it otherwise, neither the present ( haneel lor nor any of his successors could assume the responsibility. Cheers greeted the statement, and the debate was adjourned. Prince von Buelow’s statement created a favourable impression in the lobbies. The debate eventually collapsed after iinsp ring criticism of the Kaiser. The so-called Chancellor crisis discussion w'.s shelved, but the chr ic constitutional crisis is more widespread and acute that at any time in the history of the Empire. The indications ere that Prince von Buelow’s position in Imperial favour has weakened. It is stated in Berlin that the Kaiser ia dissatisfied with Prince von Buelow’s attitude towards the attacks made upon His Majesty. The “Berliner Tageblatt” declares that von Buelow will resign before 1909. The “Hamburger Nachrichten,” a Conservative paper, declares that the people should receive the Kaiser with cool reserve whenever he appears in public. The “Leichboto” appeals to the Kaiser for a manifesto promising the abandonment of his absolutist methods and the establishment of Ministerial responsibility. The Casablanca Affair. The report of the French commissary of police at Casablanca Jpis been submitted to Berlin. It is recognised as putting a new complexion on the case. A sqm i-official slatement in Berlin is to the effect that, owing lo important discrepancies between French and German reports, the actual facts need fresh investigation on the part of the re-pue-tive authorities, or an arbitration tribunal. France has accepted the Qenpan formula expressing nuitual regret th t the incident at Casablanca invo ved acts of violence, and providing that whichever country the arbitrators found responsible must apologise to the other for the aer tion of its agents. Asked to Abdicate According to the “Neues Weiner Tagblatt,” 280 Servian officers on active service- and 100 retired officers have petitioned King Peter abdicate in favour of Prince George as the only way of abolishing the constant conspiracies and restoring the armies to unity of spirit. King Peter has occupied the throne since the murder of King Alexander and Queen Drags, in June, 1903. He is G 4 years of age. His son. the Crown Prince George, is 21 years of age. lie iiecame notorious for his wild excesses, but during the past six months has shown some signs of realising the folly of his earlier dissipations. An International Scolding. France and Britain have admonished Servia for her attitude in the dispute with Austria. Kervia is serai-officially accused in Vienna of prep'ring bands in order to raise an insurrection in Bosnii. Thanks ate expressed by the semiofficial Pn*>s at the admonition of Set-via by the Powers. The (’rar has forwarded messages to King Peter of beivia and Prime (George, emphasising the necessity for a moderate and pacific policy in respect to the dispute with Austria. Coal Mine Disaster. An explosion of firedamp shattered the galleries of the Great Radlod coal mhrtt edtuatad at Ham Westphalia.

The full stall **f miners uas at work when the explosion occurred, and four hundred men are now entombed. Rescue «»angM were at once set to work, ami a portion of the debris was quickly cleared away, with the result that thirtysix men, all injured, were discovered and rescued.

Hie spreading of the flames stopped the iiearvh for the entombed men. There are 300 in the mine, and al! hope of saving them has be<*i> abandoned. The Radbtid mine has been -flooded in order to extinguish the flames.

Prince Eitel Friedrich of Prussia, brother of the Kaiser, arrived during an angry demonstration against the owners of the mine, who ar J accused of providing insufficient precautions. A crowd of 1500 broke the police lines, and mobbed Prince Eitel’s car.

Scenes at the pithead beggar description when the lists of dead were issued, women attempting to hurl themselves into the shaft screaming “Let us be buried with our husbands/*