ON THE WING.

White Ribbon, Volume 26, Issue 304, 18 October 1920, Page 6

ON THE WING.

Londern, August 19th. 1920. Mr l>e*ar Comrades,The long season of wet we*u(he*r e nded the beginning of this month, anel gloriotis sunshine prevails; if it only lasts it will mean salvation feu the* farm ers. for hay has been cut for weeks, but never gathered. Crops have been flattened, potatoes elisoased. and fruit spoilt. Butter is to be* .">/• per lb this winter, e*ggs are that price per dozen now anel likel\ to soar until the* nude* velop'd chicken as a breakfast elish will he* a thing unknown, except to the* wealthy. I have* waited in vain for a i eeluction iii the price e>f fruit, fen although markets are full nothing is cheap. Taking aelvantage of the' warm weather we* have been doing some' sightseeding, anel began with the* Scout Jam bore o that me*t every day for a week at the* Olympia. There* were representative's from every European state, save Germany. A group came all the way from Australia, our Dominion having delegates from be»\s who happenoel to Is* visiting Englanel. Besides a varied programme of sports pagnents and Se*<uit work, the*re* was an exhibition of Scout craft, embracing numerous trade*s. including the* publication of their own “Daily News," which was the e ntire* work of the* boys themselves. The e'tilinary elepartniont interested me greatly, it being in the* charge of the* deaf and dumb Stouts, whet deftly kneaded the* dough, rolled the* pastry, and made* buns anel cakes, tarts and sausage* rolls, baked them in the long row (»f gas e*ooke*rs. anel then sol«l them to tin* waiting crowds who had watched through the* whole proceedings. For to days Scouts swarmed over London. They camped in its parks, and on the* Commons as well as in the gardens of gentlemen’s residences. To see- those* thousands anel thousands of boys of all nationalities, so well di -ciplined atiel trained to det every thing for the*m selves, anel to gi\** unquestionable obedience, made one understand why the*ir own leader, Sir Baden Powell and l.orel Roresford said: “The Seoul organisation is the* biggest tiling of its kind in this generation." We hael one* elay at Hampton Court, going to Richmond on top of a bus. the rest of the journey down the river by ferry, past the* house boats on** has so frequently rone! about in fUiion, and landing at Hie* Court, which is said to be the* finest of all the Royal palaces in

Englanel. anel comprises about one* thousand rooms. 'l'lie* park surrounding the* palace consists of about T*»o acres, containing avenues of the most beautiful trees 1 have* ever seen. The groat vine, which all visitors to Englanel are urged to see', is still in a flourishing condition; it was planted in the* year 1768. and is spoken of as the largest in the world, it producing as many as 2,200 bunches eif grapes in one year. The* famous tape*stries in the Court have been the admiration of every visitor to Hie* palace for three anel a-haif centuries. In HI 19 they were valued at £8.260, and as they are not faded, and because of the preservatives in the silks, immunefrom moths, e»ne wonders what their value would be* in this century. From the palace to Ye* 01*1** Curiosity Shop is a big drop, but wo were quite as interested in ill* latter place anel several spots maele notorious by Dickons’ works. I’m afraid 1 shall weary you if 1 attempt to tell half of all wo have seen and heard. I went to the reception given to Sir James and Lady Allen and their family; it was a brilliant gathering, hut among the many guests our shipmates anel many wellknown countrymen now in England we re- conspicuous by their absence, anel so 1 lookeel at hut eliel not speak to Bishop Julius. Dean Fitohett, Sir Joseph and Rady Ward. Mr Hurst Seager. and others. To-day the* first steps will lx' taken under statutory authority to enable* th<* electors of Scotland to decide whether the country shall go "dry.” and England will watch with keen interest the* campaign, which will continue until the* end of the year. The present Requisition Ballot is only a preliminary e*n< to *le*ci*le whether a vote should betaken e>n the thre*c options of No-Li-centos. Fewer License's. No Change, but f«*ve*rish pxe*itcrrie*nt prevails among our fences, for though they have* little hope of carrying Local Option in the thou sand voting areas in Scotlanei. the*y fully believe that In many districts open lairs and grocers’ license** will lx* practically wiped out next April. To this cnel T hope all our Lnions will re*nie*ml»er te> plead for Scotland's freedom from the* Liquor Traffic at the*ir meetings, anel every Whit*' Rihboner he*lp the work by their prayers. Any letters addressed to c/o General Post Offleo. Melbourne, will fine! us. We expect to leave for home early in September. With lovin *, greetings to all from yours in White Rib!ion bonds, RACHEL DON