THE OLD COUNTRY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 25, 23 June 1909, Page 6

THE OLD COUNTRY.

Britain's Readiness for Defence. Mr R. B. Haldane (Secretary for War), in a speech last week, said the impression made on the delegates to tha Press Conference was one of relief as to the extent to which army problems had been solved. The fleet stood first in the order of necessity, and army organisation was essential in order to make the fleet effective.

The dominions were now recognising that the future depended upon Empire defence as a whole.

Lieutenant-General Smith-Dorrien ordered a surprise mobilisation at Aidershot. As a result the whole command was in marching order within six hoursMr Hudson Berkeley (proprietor of the “Newcastle Herald,” New South Wales), one of the delegates to’’'the Press Conference, stated in • the course of an interview that he was convinced that Australia was right in deciding to first provide for the defence of her own shores.

Mr Berkeley added: “We are going to stick to the Old Country as long as we have a shilling at our disposal. The Labour party is as fully alive to these matters as any class.”

Heir Hardie and the Miners. Mr. Keir Hardie, M.P. for Merthyr Tydvil, declares that if the South Wales coal miners are loeked-out the fight will not be over eight hours’ work a day at a minimum of six shillings, but over the nationalisation of the mines. He urged the French and Belgian miners not to supply the English markets during the struggle. The Scottish coal miners have given three months’ notice to terminate the Conciliation Board, and the men have accepted the notice. Shackleton in London. Lieutenant Shackleton, on his arrival in London, was the recipient of 400 telegrams of congratulation from all parts of the world. Captain Collins (Federal Agent in London) personally conveyed to him the Commonwealth’s felicitations. The National Geographical Society of the United States has awarded Lieutenant Shackleton the Hubbard gold medal. British Empire League. Lady Jersey has presented the battleship Commonwealth, now lying at Portsmouth, with a silk ensign, from the women’s branch of the British Empire League. The Press Conference. Lord Curzon (Chancellor of Oxford University) presiding at a luncheon givel to the Press delegates at Oxford on June 15, mentioned the late Mr. Cecil Rhodes’ and the late Mr Beit’s bequests to the University as gifts for developing the broader conception of Empire, adding that the influx of scholars from the oversea dominions was having a most beneficial effect on the University. He claimed that Oxford was no “sleepy hollow.” They were very much alive there, and, more or less, they were all reformers. The Press delegates saw 7 the making of a twelve-inch gun at Vickers, Son and Maxim’s works at Sheffield, and also the rolling of a 25-ton armour plate. Mr. R. McDonald (“Christchurch Press”), in thanking the heads of tha firm, referred to his own early experiences as a railway engineer, and said that they enabled him to appreciate the firm’s sterling work. On June 7th the delegates motored through the Peak district and lunched at Chatsworth House, the seat of the Duke of Devonshire. Thence they proceed via Brixton and Stockport to Manchester. King Edward presented their colours to 108 units of the Territorial Army *4 Windsor Castle on June 19th,

r The spectators included the delegates to the Press Conference and a number ot members of Parliament. His Majesty cordially congratulated Mr. Haldane, War Secretary, on the success of his efforts in organising the Territorials. Sir Hugh Graham (“Montreal Star’’), in recognition of the pleasure derived from the reviews, has given £lOO to the Soldiers Orphans’ Fund, and a similar sum to the Sailors Orphans’ fund. Naval Manoeuvres. After the dispersal of the Home Fleet at Portsmouth following on the Press Conference review, the ships reassembled for the purpose of carrying out extensive manoeuvres in the North Sea, the first since the reorganisation of the squadrons into the fleet under the command of Admiral Sir Richard May. Germany is mobilising a reserve squadron of eight battleships to take part in high sea manoeuvres in August and September. There are 350 British warships of various classes assembled in the North Sea for manoeuvres, including 40 battleships, 27 armoured cruisers, 26 protected cruisers, 117 destroyers, 79 torpedoes, and 26 submarines. The blue fleet will endeavour to prevent the junction of ihe white fleet with the red, and bring the white or the red to action before a junction can be effected. Marconi Stations. The Admiralty is organising Marconi stations on the east and west coasts. ■Universities’ Rifle Match. The scores in the Imperial Universities’ Challenge Rifle Match were: Oxford, 1363; London, 1305; Edinburgh, 1210; Manchester, 1124; Dublin, 979The Czar’s Visit. In the House of Comons last week, the Speaker (Mr J. M. Lowther) rebuked Mr Will Thorne, one of the Labour members, for using a discourteous expression towards the Czar in connection with his forthcoming visit to England. Several questions, prompted by a strong feeling in regard to the prison severities in Russia, were asked concerning the Government’s attitude towards the visit.

Sir Edward Grey (Foreign Minister) replied that the visit was among a series paid by the heads of the States, that it was in accordance with international courtesy, and that the Government would take full responsibility for the visit. The “Daily News” publishes a strong leader against the Czar’s reception in England, alleging that he personally encouraged the “Blaek Hundred,” who organised the Jewish massacres. Lieutenant’s Claim. The Court of Appeal has dismissed the action brought by Lieutenant Woods Claiming £75,000 from the Army Council for unlawful removal from the Grenadier Guards, on the ground that the action was frivolous and vexatious. Labour Exchanges. In the House of Commons last week, the Labour Exchanges Bill, introduced by Mr. Winston Churchill' (President of the Board of Trade), was read a second time. Mr. Churchill, introducing the bill three weeks ago, said that the labour exchanges would' cost £200,000 per annum at the outset, and subsequently £170,000. The country would be divided into 10 divisions, each with a clear-ing-house, and London, which would supply a national clearing-house. There (Would be between 30 and 40 first-class exchanges for town with a population of 100,000 and upwards; 45 second-class exchanges for towns of between 50,000 and 100,000; and a number of Bub-offices in the smaller towns. Advisory committees would be appointed in the chief centres, on which workmen and employers would meet in equal numbers. Impartial permanent officials would be chairman of the committees. The Government’s scheme of compulsory contributing insurance against unemployment was next explained by Mr. Churchill. The scheme would become operative in 1911 in selected trades representing two and a-quarter million adults, covering the worst half of the field of unemployment. Slightly under sixpence a week per man would be raia-

ed by contributions by workmen, employers, and the State. Men applyiag to the exchange would either be given a job or paid a benefit sum.

The Defence Conference. In the House of Commons last week, Mr. Asquith, speaking in reply to a ques--tion by Mr. Keir Hardie as to the form in which the Commonwealth’s generous offer of a Dreadnought would be finally accepted, said it would depend on the friendy discussions at the forthcoming Defence Conference. Mr. Keir Hardie asked whether, considering that the Australian Labour party was still opposed to the offer, and publie opinion on the subject was much divided, the Imperial Government would delay final acceptance until after the general elections in the Commonwealth. Mr. Asquith replied, “No, sir. Tho communication came to us from the Government of the Commonwealth, and we are concerned with them, and with them alone.”

Sir Robert Stout Entertained. Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice of New Zealand, was entertained at luncheon in the House of Commons by members who also belong to the United Kingdom Alliance. In his speech to the gathering, Sir Robert remarked that a triennial local option vote would, if tried in England, do more for the education of public opinion than the closing of scores of public houses.

The King’s Winnings. Minoru, the winner of the King’s Derby, won another race this week, making the total winnings of His Majesty this year £18,577. Two Sapphos Collide. News of a serious shipping collision which, it is feared, has caused loss of life, was received at Dover, when the second-class cruiser Sappho arrived there in a sinking condition on Saturday. She had been in collision during a fog with a steamer which, -by a strange coincidence, bore the same name as herself, the Sappho, of Hull. The impact was a very severe one, and both vessels were badly damaged. The extent of the injuries to the merchantman could not be ascertained aboard the cruiser however, as directly after the collision the boats parted company, and the trader disappeared into the fog. She has not since been reported, and it is feared that she has sunk, though her crew may be safe in the boats. The cruiser has been beached to prevent her sinking.