The Evening Star. TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1876.

Evening Star, Issue 4160, 27 June 1876, Page 2

The Evening Star. TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 1876.

European news is very threatening. Very unfortunately for the peace of Europe and the world, the troubles of Turkey generally reach their climax during Tory administration of English affairs. Such has been the fatality in times past, and again has it occurred. If the principle of non-intervention in Continental affairs had become definitely settled as Great Britain’s Ministerial guide, it would have mattered very little which faction happened to be in office for the time being ; but since the traditional policy of Toryism or Conservatism is unchanged, and since that policy has always been one of meddlesomeness in Continental quarrels under the plea of taking the position of a first-rate power in Europe, it need not cause much surprise if the folly of the Crimean crusade in favor of Mahommedan versus Christian is repeated. It is to be hoped that the action taken by the Turks themselves of deposing the effeminate monarch whose selfishness has goaded his Empire to rebellion, may change the position of affairs so materially as to lead to a pacific solution of present complications. Of the nature of them, or why the British fleet should be ordered to the Mediterranean, we are at present only able to guess; tbs luxury of cable communication being at present, interrupted. Very absurd

treaties, having for their object binding Great Britain to maintain tho integrity of the Turkish Empire, have been entered into in times past, and, & morbid fear of the extension of Vhe Russian Empire in the di»*ection of’lndia has induced a sort of chronic tendeny; to war-fever, ever ready to break out on the slightest whisper of Russian aggression. Bub circumstances are materially changed, Russia has found a way to Indian neighborhood irrespective of Turkey ; and since the construction of the Suez Canal, Great Britain’s material interest in the unity of the Turkish Empire can now no longer subsist. Thus if interference is necessary, it surely should be for the purpose of ameliorating the condition of a people groaning under the oppression of a tyrannical and incompetent Government, rather than for maintaining it against the revolt of its outraged subjects. So far as the commerce 6f Turkey with Great Britain is concerned, the annual gross Imports and exports together do not amount to the cost of six hours’ battle—the total being somewhere about six millions. The profit on this will hardly pay the

cost of sending a British fleet to the Mediterranean, let alone the destruction of property and life, should there be real or imaginary reasons for a fight. The nations more really interested in the matter are Russia and Austria, both of which are contiguous to the disaffected provinces. Russia has the sympathy of a large portion of the populations on account of their oneness of religion, while the influence of Roman Catholic Austria is merely political. Let alone, should matters have been left to right themselves, there might have been a quarrel between Russia and Austria ; and so far as we can.see, it need have extended no further, ft may be a mistake on onr parts, but we are inclined to think that the rule over Turkey by either of those powers'would be infinitely better for the world than that it should remain in the hands

of some four millions of aliens from the population far behind the rest in religion, morals, and social customs. Russia has long been one of England’s best customers, supplying imports to the value of more than fifteen . millions annually, and taking exports amounting to more than six millions; and, were the distressed provinces of Turkey subject, to its milder and more enlightened laws, a large increase of mutually beneficial commerce would result. Statesmen arid visionaries may pronounce this, what they term a money-grubbing view, mercenary, narrow, and grovelling. Those are very ugly words, but ivhen it is considered that the well-being of some 30,000,000 of so-called Turkish populations are at stake and the employment of as many people in England as £20,000,000 will find work for, it is interesting to know what higher motives should actuate governments than giving the people means of living in competence. In that word more is implied than mere existence. It means liberty, knowledge, and morality; for nowhere do these exist but where there is competence. The risk of a European embroglio, it is to be hoped, is reduced by the new phase a f aflfcira in Turlrnv. Thn Iprqaa

of the Franco-Prussian war is evidently not lost upon the nations of that intriguing Continent. Both Russia and Austria are afraid of each other—and righteously; for war would weaken both, and should Prussia have ulterior designs upon some weaker power, they would he Jess able to interfere where interference might be justifiable. Great Britain’s true policy is non-intervention. Even the rumor of wai has been a dead weight upon her prosperity. Her mills are doing less work, her merchants are failing, her capitalists are alarmed : every portion of the f&npire feels it. As foreign markets are closed to manufactures, Colonial produce languishes and our pastoral interests suffer. War in A merica has rendered trade with the United States critical; war in the East would add its blighting curse. If Great Britain sends a fleet to

maintain things as they have been, greater folly could not actuate a powerful nation. The rule of Mahomedanism in Turkey cannot last many years. Already British blood and treasure have been expended on upholding institutions tottering to their fall. But conservatism has always been blind to the folly of attempting to “ prop a falling house.” Sooner or later it must come down, and the wiser plan is not

to interfere with its reconstruction on a, broader and sounder foundation.

Joseph Richard Clement, of Oamaru, was admitted and enrolled a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand by his Honor Judge Williams, on the 23rd inst.

Our Wellington correspondent informs us by telegraph that the report has been confirmed tha- the Union Steam Shipping Company have purchased Messrs M'Mbckao, Blackwood and Co.’s fleet of steamer?, with the exeception of the Omeo and the Alhambra.

A game of hockey will be played at Monlecillo cn Saturday afternoon, when a large muster is anticipated and some capital sport, as this will be the first time the game has been played here by adults, although so popular at home. We would direct attention to the request that intending players will send in their names before Friday, in order that sides may be chosen before reaching the ground. “Hazard” was repeated at the Queen’s Theatre last evenin , and the management are certainly entitled to expect better support for the manner in which this drama has been placed on the boards. Mrs Hill as the heroine played naturally and with consider* able feeling; aud was well supported by Messrs Stoneham and Keogh. Mr Saville as the ignorant oil squatter, who by some unaccountable means has been, pitchforked

• , .Hrhament, was irresistibly funny, hia -tonnance fombly reminding one of a once local celebray. The scenery is alone well worth seeing, ; “Hazard ” will be repeated to-night.

A meeting of the Wesleyan Mutual IniSociety was .held last evening in theJlaU oftho Wesleyan Church, thoPresihe Eev - Mr -Swjhett, in the chair, and there wns a good attendance .of members. fr r ~ .H. Chapman read a paper oh “ Evolution, ■ which provoked an interesting discussion. The President considered that the theory ef Evolution was in no way. opposed to the Book of Genesis. The next paper read will be on “Spiritism.” At the weekly meeting of the South Dunedin Council held hist evening there werejjresent —The Mayor (in the chair) and Cra. Barrojraan, Baird, Meade, and Thomas, me tot. Hilda Council wrote asking assistance towards building a floodgate at Anderson s Bay road for the drainage of the Plat, and suggesting that each municipality should share the expense. The Mayor thought if the subject were represented to the Government they would get a grant of L 5,000 from the General Assembly towards draining the It. was resolved that a public meeting of residents be called -to discuss the question. ' .

The Half-yearly meeting of the Leith Lodge, 1.0.0. F., was held in the new Oddfellows’ Hall, street, last evening, when nearly sixty members attended. Five new members were initiated, and about fourteen others were elected. The following officers were appointed for the ensuing six months ; —N. G., Brother ThomM H. Ritchey; V.G., Brother John Allen• Com cuctor, Brother William Richardson; Secretary, Brothei Hugh M‘Donald (re-elected) ; Treasurer, Brother John Boyd; Trustees, Brothers William Reid, James Alexander, and Peter Russell; Medical Officer, Dr Perguson; Chemists, Messrs Howard and Raymond. J

The installation of the Right Worshipful Master and Officers of', the Lodge St. Andrew, 432, S.C., took place in the Masonic Hall last evening. The P.G.M. and officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge assisted, and there was a good attendance of officers and brethren of the sister Lodges. The following brethren were installed for the ensuing yearß. W.M., Bro. John Golder; . S.W., Bro. George Kidd; J.W., Bro. Thomas Condon; Treasurer, Bro. Wm. Caldweli ; Secretary, Bro. T. W. Anderson ; S.D., Bro. John Mackie; J.D., Bro. Charles Keast; S.S., Bro. Robert Neale; J.S., Bro. J. Teague; 1.G., Bro. T. H. Welsh; Tyler, Bro. W. H. Meyer; Director of Music, Bro. Chisholm. Bro. Morrish presided at the harmonium.

The attendance .at the Princess’s last night was not far short of that on Saturday, the lower parts of the house being again packed. Sheridan’s comedy, “The School for Scandal,” .constituted the programme, and an enjoyable representation of it was given. Mr Hoskins fairly excelled himself as the spendthrift, Charles 'urface, thoroughly entering into the spirit of the part. His acting in the “screen ” scene, where be discovers Lady Teazle in the rdle of the French milliner was intensely amusing, and the audience insisted on Mr Hoskins’s re-appear ance before the footlights. Miss Colville has so often appeared as Lady Teazle, that her rendering of the character is quite familiar with us; but last evening she appeared somewhat indisposed, and was not seen to as much advantage as hitherto. Oi Mr Musgrave’s Sir Peter we have often had to speak in terms of unqualified praise, and of last evening’s performance it is only necessary to say that the character did no 1 , suffer by repetition, Mrßnrford made a respectable Joseph Surface; and the same remark applies to Mr Douglas’s Sir Benjamin Backbite. Miss Laurence had not a congenial part as Maria ; and Miss Mainwaring (who made her re appearance last evening) erred on the side of juvenility in her make-up. ‘ ‘ London Assurance” is announced for to-night, and “Much Ado About Nothing” will be repeated to-morrow.

The half yearly of the Loyal Unity Lodge, 1.0.0. F., will be held to-morrow (Wednesday) evening, at eight o’clock.

. A meeting of members of the medical profession will be held at Watson’s Hotel to-morrow evening, at eight o’clock.