THE CAT IS OUT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 19, 31 August 1888, Page 17

THE CAT IS OUT.

HE London limes has been obliged to show its hand. It has no witness to prove its contention that Mr. Parnell wrote^the letters attributed to him, in the articles about " Parnellism and Crime." At the tral of Mr. O'Donnkll's action, the leading council for the Times was compelled to confess this. Be would pro(? ice no witnee.B, he said, to prove that Mr. Parne <l wrote these silly letters, but would rely on expert's testimony. A clearer confession of forgery could not be made. If the Times had a witness, it would, we may be sure, hasten to produce him. Yet, in the face of this d-mning admission, there is to be an investigation before a commission appointed by special Act of Parliament, and the Irish party is to be put to enormous expense and harassed in every way, because the Times has chosen to allow itself to be victimised by a manifest forgery. But an object is served, and from a party point of view, the securing of this object is of vital importance to the Tories. There can be no doubt that public opinion in England is running fast in the direction of Home Rule for Ireland, and consequently the days of the Unionist and Conservative party are numbered. If something be not done, and that soon, to discredit the Home Rule Members in the eyes of English electors, Lord Salisbury's Cabinet cannot survive many months. A tribunal, therefore, with a roving commission to find out what it can, whether truth or falsehood, and intended to concentrate into a focus all the horrid things said of the Irish and their representatives, and launch them on the public ear of England, may, it is thought, produce at least a temporary effect on English constituencies, on the principle that if mud be thrown in large qrantities some of it is sure to stick. But the Irish party, so patient and able, is not going to allow the Times and its wicked partizans to have it all their own way. It was necessary for the Irish party to be wary and bide its time, but those who know that party were well aware that w \en the proper time came it would 1 know how to strike an effective blow. This time has now come, and the blow has been struck. Mr. Parnell begins an action against the Times in Scotland, and thus prevents the packing of a jury of anti-Irish partizans in London, and two other prominent Members have laid actions against this paper in England. These three actions, together with what will be required before the Commission, will give the Times something else to do than engage in its congenial work of traducing the Home Rule party. It is now on its own defence, and it will soon be seen how impotent and contemptible its efforts have been to baulk an ancient country in its endeavours to throw off a horrid tyranny, to free itself from a load of obloquy, and secure something like decent government and a fair share of prosperity for its sorely oppressed people. Gigantic efforts will be made to overpower the Irish party by the employment of all means and resources of a desperate party, having an unlimited supply

of money and other instruments.r uments. The cause of the Irish party is the cause of the Irish race, no matter where its members may be found, and, consequently, it is the duty of Irishmen, all the world over, to lend a hand to the Home Kule Members m the terrible duel which is now commencing in earnest. There can be no doubt of the ultimate triumph of Mr. Parnbll and his fellows, but the fight will be expen^ aive, and all should bear this in mind.

We learn by a telegram from Hobart that His Holiness the Pope has created the Most Bey. Dr. Murphy, Bishop of Hobart, an Archbishop, and it ia also announced that Launceston has been made a separate diocese. These are marks of progress on which the Catholic? of Tasmania are to be warmly congratulated, and which increase the importance of the colonial Church generally. It is highly creditable to the Catholic community in question that their zeal in. the cause of religion has had snch happy results, for it is proved by these results how sincere and constant have been their efforts, and how great the sacrifices made by them in the good cause. Everywhere the Catholic Church grows and prospers, we find certain proof of the fidelity o f her children, overcoming many obstacles and difficulties that nothing but the truest devotion could surmount. The dignity conferred also npon the venerable Bishop of Hobart is one that well rewards a long and most edifying career in the service of Holy Church. His Lordship only the other day celebrated his sacerdotal jubilee, looking back upon fifty years of able and devoted labours in the great cause of religion and receiving from his people the assurance of well- deserved confidence and love: The dignity to which he has now been elevated conies to crown a life fall of honours and good works, aad in conferring it upon him the Holy Father has but duly rewarded merit and recognised distinction.

Sib John Hall (writes the Wellington correspondent of Wed. nesday's Daily Times), has always been an advocate of religious teaching im schools. Whenever measures have been introduced having for their object the affording of assistance to private schools, Sir John has been found consistently supporting them. Acting up to his convictions in this matter, be asked a question of the Premier to-nigh* with the object of eliciting an expression of opinion regarding the intention of the Government anent the consideration of the question Of State aid to private schools next session. The Premier, who is also a Denominationalist, replied that every facility would be given next session fcr the consideration of the subject.

The Wallsend, Coalpit Heath, and Brunner collieries have been amalgamated, and will henceforward be known under the name of the Grey Valley Coal Company (Limited). Now that the attention of the colonies is particularly drawn to all matters connected with the supply of coal by the great strike in New South Wales, this event should be of particular interest. New Zaaland, at least, may be able to congratulate itself on an arrangement that facilitates for it Btill more an abundant supply of fuel that cannot be surpassed, and whose excellence for every possible purpose has long tince been well established. Mr. Martin Kennedy will act as the general manager of the Company, and, under his energetic and enterprisirg management, everything will be done to serve the interests of the public and to consult for tneir convenience.

Mb. Patrick Ford, of the Irish World, it is reported, ia being held ;up to obloquy|by certain members of the Democratic party, Which party he has deserted, as having proved an indifferent soldier in the Civil war. Mr. Ford, however, in deserting the Democrats has been consistent to Protection, of which he was always an ardent supporter. He has, besides, been alienated by the pro-British leanings of Mr. Cleveland, being influenced as well by Mr. Blame, in whom personally he thoroughly believea. He, therefore, has not been inconsistent by any means in his conduct, but, on toe contrary, could not with consistency have remained a supporter of the Democratic candidate. As to Mr. Ford's having proved au indifferent soldier even if it be true, it is difficult to see how that can affect the present issues. And, besides, he is no worse, at the very worst, than men who have influenced, and still continue to influence, the world, although their taste for military life was very indifferent indeed.

We publish elsewhere a letter from Wanganui with which we have received for transmission to Dublin a cheque for £72. collected in aid of the National Cause. This is the way to meet the necessities of the timee, among which by no means the least are the sinews of war. But while our valiant leaders at home have good mea and true, like those at Wanganui, at their back, they will be bold in facing all that Balf our, now more than ever, as proved by recent events of Tulla more, deserving of the epithet of " Bloody," can devise for their persecution and betrayal. We shall forward without delay the amount to the Lord Mayor of Dublin, who, under the oircostancea of the times, appears the safest medium.

We are requested to acknowledge on behalf of the Dominican nuns blocks and remittances in connection with their art nnion from Mr. J. Sheedy, Alexandra, and per Mrs. W. J. Hall, Dunedin. The | community alao desire to express their thanks to Mr. Leniban, Dunedin, for the gift, as an art union prize, of a fine, and handsomely framed picture of the battle of Fontenoy.

It is somewhat suggestive as to the true nature of this age of athletic sports and exercises that official returns show fifty per cemt. of the recruits who offer themselves in England for military service to be rejected as physically deficient by the doctors. An explanatiom is given in the education craze, which, among the rest, drives the population of the country into the towns. Bat, in any case, the fact is significant and alarming.

In a sensible letter to the Otago Daily Times, Mr. HaUenstein deprecates the rush to Melbourne. He points out that the apparent prosperity of that city rests on no valid foundation, and that people who go there from New Zealand are makiDg a bad exchange. This colony, he says, is evidently on the turn for better times. An increase in settlement, a rise in raw products, greater activity in coal and gold fields, and the prot jctive policy adopted, all combine to give him confidence, and, although he himself also has had a straggle to hold his owd, he looks forward with hope to the immediate future. One sentence, however, in Mr. Hallenstein's letter strikes us as particularly deserving of notice—not only as giving hope for the future, but as in a great degree explaining the past and present. It ig this : " Agricultural and pastoral lands are approaching prices at which they can be profitably settled." There is the whole mischief of the period explained in a few words. The shutting np of the lands has been the occasion of all the evil— and even now they are only approaching prices at which they can be profitably made use of. There is even now a large body of settlers,— industrious , deserving people— working like slaves to pay impossible rents and interest, and with the fate staring them in the face that many others have suffered before them. In another place we publish a letter from an unfortunate victim of the system who put all the hard earnings of many years into the land, adding skill and labour, but only to lose all together. Other colonies find it to their advantage not only to give free grants of land to immigrants, but also to aid by other means in settling them on the land. But even a moderate measure of relief is refused by the Legislature of New Zealand. Mr. Hallenetein's letter, then, while it gives good advice and a useful warning, contains also a reproach that is well deserved and very suggestive.

The usual meeting of the Dunedin Catholic Literary Society was held on 22nd inst., when there was a good attendance of members, the Rev. President occuping the chair. Mr. James Eager read a short but excellent paper on" The attitude of the Church on the Slavery Question," which wag favourably criticised by the members, and commended by the president. Recitations were given by Messrs McKelvey, Simmons, Eager, and McCormick ; and the remainder of the evening was occupied with the reading of part of Shakespeare's Henry VIII., by all the members present.

The entertainment in aid of St. Leonard's church building fund, will take place on this day (Friday) week in the Dunedin Choral Hall, Moray Place. Among the many ladies and gentlemen who have promised their assistance we may mention Mrs. Brett ; Misses Corrigan, Blaney, Poppelwell, Reany and Woods ; Messrs Brett, Jones, Huater, Young, Deehan and P. Carolin, the latter a member of the Literary Society and who will make his bow to an audience for the first time as a singer. The evening's fun will be brought to a close with " Bob Sawyer's Party," from Charles Dickens's " Pickwick " the characters in which will be taken by members of the Literary Society. The tickets of admission are one and two shillings and at this low price the hall should be crowded.

Thr great strike of coal miners at Newcastle, N.S.W., by which the coal trade of the Australian colonies is almost completely paralysed is likely to prove a serious matter. Strikes, as a rule, are foolish things and generally end to the disadvantage of the striker. And if it be true that the average earnings of the miners were from 11s to 13s a day, there does not seem to be much grounds for their action. It is not only the miners themselves who will suffer, but all those whose employment depends on tbeir iudustry. The matter, therefore, is most unfortunate. As it is an ill-wind, however, that blows nobody good, New Zealand may profit by the strike. The mines on the West Coast arc fully equal *o any call that may be made on them. In quantity they are inexhaustible, and in quality unsurpassed. We see that already the Grey Valley Company state their readiness to tfnawet all requirements, and there can be no doubt they will be as good as their word.

A cajjlegbam informs us that Mr. Edward Wakefield of Welling* ton, baa written a letter to the limes, in which be condemn! opposi*

tion to the Chinese invasion of the colonies aa promoted merely to Mire certain political ends. As Mr. Wakefteld's own day for aspiring at political endthas passed by, with little hope of revival, he be accused of charging others with a fault he commits himself, hut some particular end he must certainly have in view. No oae, however credulous, will give him credit for disinterested motives. Nor will anyone believe that bis sympathies have been won by the people whom he essays to champion. But we can readily admit that Mr. Wakefield's services are appropriately engaged in furthering the interests of monopoly, and assisting to degrade the workingmen of the colony into an impoverished and demoralised mob, only fit to be hewers of wood and drawers of water for their betters. This is a congenial task that Mr. Wakefield mightjundertake with ardour, even did he derive no immediate benefit from engaging in it. The man, meantime, who endeavours to mislead public opinion in England concerning this Chinese question makes a culpable attempt. Great issues depend upon its being rightly understood, and there is sufficient difficulty attending on it without -the voluntary obfuscation created by interested and designing people.

A BEPOBT in the South Canterbury Times gives us a touching picture of a gymnastic exhibition held the other day by the pupils of the Timaru High School. Women's rights, forjexample, were well asserted on the occasion by the girls who took part in the exercises, and who, clad in complete sailor's costume, went; [through all the antics and exercise 3 injright manly fashion. The report says their great-grandmothers would have looked upon them [as torn-boys— although it may be claimed that even since the remote period referred to decency has had a lodging in the female mind. But we have changed all that, and are arrived at a more enlightened age. Girls dressed up as boys, and vicing withjboys in cuttingjeapers in public form a refinement, as well as an advancement, that should be duly appreciated. The report complains, that althoughjithe girls performed as neatly as the boys, they were not quite bo smart owing to their not always being in " athletic ccstume." But that is a fault that can easily be mended" and the grand-daughters of those prudish great-graudmotherp who had the prejudice of a benighted age against tom-boys — that is the mothers of the girls, should be advanced enough, according to all appearances, to favour the amendment. The lady athlete then bids fair to be an adornment cf our civilisation. But already the lady warrior is an adornment of culture in Dahomey. Verily the world is advancing— and all mankind are brothers.

The Fisheries Treaty has been iejec'ed by the Senate of the United States, and the nature of the voting shows how completely the Treaty had become a party question. It was enpported by 27 Democrats and opposed by 30 Republicans, being, therefore, defeated by a majority cf 3. Mr. Cleveland's subsequent action proves the alarm felt by him lest his re-election to the Presidency might b 3b 3 endangered by the identification cf his party with a measure that, even before its defeat, had been unpopular, and now shares the general fate cf ill-success. He immediately is&ued a message declaring that Canada would take reprisals, and that it was necessary to provide against this by suspending the free transit through the States cf Canadian exports and import*-, and levying tol's on Canadian •hipping. What the ultimate result is to be, we have yet to learn, but, so far, the President's tactics appear succest-ful, for we are told his action has been received with enthusiasm, and that his chances against the Republican candidate have vastly increased. But, probably a good deal still remains to be said and done in the matier.

Myekb and CO., Dentists, Octagon, corner of George street. They guarantee higbest.class work at moderate fees. Their artificial teeth gives general satisfaction, and the fact of them supplying a tern porary denture while the gums are healing does away with the ncouvenience of being months without teeth. They manuficture a single artificial tooth for Ten Shillings, and sets equally moderate The administration of nitrous oxide gas is also a great boon to those needing the extraction of a tooth. Read— [advt.]

Messrs. Nimmo and Blair, Duaedin, have receivad a urge assortment of fresh seeds, of all varieties, for the farm and garden. They have been selected with the gieatesc care, and will bd f^und in every respect satisfactory.