Current Topics

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 37, 3 January 1890, Page 1

Current Topics

AT HOME AND ABROAD.

THB HKW YBAB.

The entry of the world into the la9t decade of the Nineteenth Century is a memorable event. The age is now drawing sensibly towards its end, and we may begin to look forward to the dawn of that which is to succeed it. Ten years, indeed, are a long time to look forward to, bat how short they seem to most of as in their passing or on their completion —to most of na that is who have reached the middle or tbe decline o( life. " Days that were as long As twenty days are now." So did Wordsworth speak of the days of his early youth, and, indeed, as we come closer to the end, time gallops with ever* increasing swiftness. During tbe years of the ctntury that have passed by the world seems to have shared the lot of the individual, and to have moved more rapidly in its declining age. Judging by tbe coarse of events, time has certainly gone forward with it much more quickly. Great and complete changes have occurred, and the slowly moving methods have gone by for ever. The development of civilisation, in short, hits proceeded with a swiftness undreamt of before, and co much has been done under the eyes of many of us who are living still and have not even attained to tbe limit 9 of human life, that our own experience alone has prepared us to witness almost whatever may come without surprise. We may, therefore, hope that, short as is the interval that lies between tbe year upon which we have now entered and the end of the century, we may see many changes, still to be desired, carried out. Wb<*t, for example, may we not hope for with respect to our own colony ? The settlement of New Zealand, co far as it has proceeded — and that is comparatively in a very great degree — has been the growth not only of the Nineteenth Century, but of its latter portion. Fiffy years at most have built and peopled our cities, and spread flocks and herds and cultivated tracts abroad over the land. They have given us a legis'ature ani statesmen trained in the ways of government. Since progress quickenß as it goe-, what t hen nny we not expect from a fifth part of the time already so fruitfully accomplished? We are, moreover, entering upon the period in que stion with favourable prospects, and tbe (ullest encouragement to hope. We may confidently look forward to beginning the Twentieth Century — to begin with tbe next decade that sets in — all our difficulties surmounted, and with the path smooth before our feet. There is, meantime, another country in whose condition we also take a warm interest — but which has hardly shared the common lot — or kept pace with the progress of the age. Our readers will understand that our allusion is to Ireland, where an effort is being obstiuately made to continue a state of things totally inconsistent with an advanced civilisation. Fortunately, however, signs are not wanting that this effort must fail — and that the evils so long continued must yield to wiser counsels. During the ten years on which we now enter Ireland also will attain to ameliorated conditions. Tbe century, therefore, draws to a close for us with improved prospects, and in a manner that gives us reason to conclude that the general advancement which it has fostered will proceed in the new age with renewed vigour.

CIVILISATION DISGRACED,

Accobding to the London correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald, the advanced civilisation of tbe day has characteristics that are on a level with the worst that barbarism ever produced. It would seem, according to the authority in question, that it is quite common in London for young girls lo be carried cfE against their will, 80 that it is dangerous for them to be allowed into the streets alone. The correspondent gives one particular case in which a young lady of good standing in society, had been so treated, being eventually found, after indescribable suffering and degradation, in a German town. But surely such a state of things is infinitely disgraceful and reflects badly on the Government under which it occurs. We have

been accustomed to regard it aB distinctive of a ruder age that life

and Honour were leBS secure than our more perfect institution! ensured their being. As in the case of the Wbitechapel murders, however, we see that life may be taken with impunity in the open street!, and, in the instance mentioned by the correspondent to whom we allude, a proof is given that women are unprotected. What, therefore, is at fault? Can it be that the law ia not severe enough, and that Its penalties, in consequence, have not a sufficient deterrent tffect for the evil-doer 1 The penalty of death might be thought severe enough, and, if not out of keeping with humanity, it would at least be oat of harmony with the milder spirit of the age to advocate a /thing that might add to its terrors. But, perhaps, those men who in olden times thought it necessary to inflict torture as well as death were not altogether actuated by the cruelty that we are wont to attribute to them. The rougher natures they had to deal with might not have felt the deterrent effect of the penalty of death inflicted in accordance with the dictates of humanity and that it was bo the legislators of the times were, possibly, aware. What, meantime, seems certain is that the law as it exists for the protection of women is not sufficiently severe. It has not sufficient terrors for the ill -doer, and it leaves a discretionary power in the hands of his victim that may alto give him encouragement. In that case, for example, of the young lady spoken of by the Sydney Herald's correspondent, and in which the victim had been overcome by an anaesthetic forcibly administered to her at the Victoria Station, we are told that her relatives were unwil'ing to have any stir made in the matter because of the exposure entailed by it. But this was to act against the interests of society, to shelter the criminal, and to condone his crime. It may seem a harsh thing to advocate, but such inaction on the part of the sufferers should not be tolerated. They should be obliged to speak out and to take all such Btepa as lie in their power for the detection and punishment of the criminal, and no feeling of consideration for the suffering and injury already endured by them Bhould be allowed to stand in the way of this. While theie is room for people of criminal disposition to believe that a loop-hole of escape may be left for them in the shame and reticence of those injured by them, there will be additional encouragement given them for the commission of crime. Silence or inaction, then, in any such case as this should certainly l ) * made penal. As for the criminal, it rnußt indeed be a mawkish iment that would show him any leniency. Laws of extreme severity -inflictingieven the capital penalty, if nothing e'se could deter — should in his case be administered without flinching. Finally, aa to the conduct of the police, for whom the Herald's correspondent offers some excuse in the indiscriminate manner in which foreigners are admitted into England, is it quite sure they are always as active in the prevention of crime as they ought to be? To detect a crime and bring the criminal to justice is a merit on the part of the constable, and advances his interests in the service. But why should it not be reckoned quite as much or even more to his credit that the district in which he was employed was free from crime ? The watchfulness and activity that h»d this result should be looked npon as doubly meritorious. London, it may be argued, is a long way off, and why should we trouble ourselves about what goes on there? or how does it concern us in New Zealand? We would say in reply that it is in the great centres we mutt seek for the characteristics of the age. Elsewhere they will also exist, in a greater or less degree, and there is no part of the civilised world in which we may not believe that what takes place habitually in London will also take place under modified circumstances. No part of the civilised world can afford to regard with indifference a failure of civilisation in one of its great centres.

DOUBTFUL PROSPECTS.

The New Year appears to be coming in 3FWa lion. Let us hope it may complete the proverb P^r going out like a lamb. There is, for example, a threat of trouble with Portugal, who, in coma way or another, has encroached on British rights, or what are claimed as British rights, in South Africa. Germany, if we recollect aright, did as much, if not more, a year or two ago ; but trouble with Germany would be far too serious a matter to be lightly encountered. British rights, or the claims to them, were, in consequence, waived. We heard nothing m to a rendezvous of the British fleet anywhere so as to be ready for German

emergencies as we now hear i f its rendezvous at Gibraltar in reference to Portuguese emergencies. It will be qui'e a different thing, meantime, if the report be true than an Ameriom fleet bas been ordered to Lisbon with friendly intentions towards the country of which that town is the capita), and this may also avail in promoting the fulfil ment of the proverb, and bringiog the year to its close like a lamb. It is one thing to frighten the little State by a bit of well-meant and harmless biuster, but quite another to make the bluster harmful and transfer it to a big State coming to the assistance of the little one. If an American fleet actually proceeds to Lisbon, we may safely predict the British squalron ordered to Gibraltar will change its re tdezv<>ua to some other quarter. But, at least, there will be the advantage gained that Lord {Salisbury will have an opportunity for exercising toe versatility of bis genius. To see an apostle and administrator of coercion practising at the same time the art of persnatdon and apology, if not actually fawning and knuckling down in utter humiliation, cannot fail to be an edifying sight. But, if the credit of English valour euffers a little, the loss will perhaps be made up for by the credit gained by Encash diplomacy. And then the cost should always be counted beforehand. Prudence might undertake to bull) Portugal with a certainty of success. Imprudence only could confront America with the prospect of a doubtful issue. Is not discretion the better part of valour ? Let the British lion, therefore, pose as proudly as before. Another element of disturbance with which the year opens is the recurrence of the inevitable Russian •care. The Afghan frontier is again the source of suspicion, and Bnseian intrigue is said to he exciting a rebellion there for purposes hostile to England. Such rumours, however, must continually recur until the Eastern question is finally, if ever, settled between England and Russia. Of disquieting elements that less dir ctly affect England, there is intelligence that speaks of tae revolution ia Brazil as not accomplished quite bi qiietly, or aff>rding to us leaders a mere walk-over. There are reports of execution* and risings and dissatisfaction that promises but ill for the fu ure of the c >untry.— The expulsion of Djm Pedro seems, after all, rattier a questionable good, and may result iv lending a mire lion-like asp-ct to the year. In conclusion, there ia the condition of Crete, where Turks aud Christians utill appear to be on anything rather than friendly terms with a good deal of consequent suffering to the latter. The fatuous Turk is evidently unable to behave himself and has not sight to see how he is hastening forward the day cf his doom. But in this England aiso is very closely concerned, and when the inevitable event occurs there will hardly be an opportunity given her of exercising the more persuasive powers of diplomacy. Whether or not the year is to see the issue finally tried it would be impossible to s»y, but the lion rather than tha iamb must uudoubteily be put to the proof on the occasion, and, so to sp'ak, we shall have very stormy weather. — The beginning of the year 1890 decidedly seams pregnant with eventful possibilities.