The Globe. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1878.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1475, 7 November 1878, Page 2

The Globe. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1878.

It is much to be regretted that the arrangements have failed, by which it was proposed to secure a holiday on Saturday for the very largo number of assistants of both sexes, who are employed in the drapers' establishments in this city. It appears this relaxation has been prohibited by the action of a very small minority of their employers. Whatever the motives may be, which have dictated the opposition, it requires very little consideration indeed, to convince any but the most unreasonable that, the indulgence might have been granted without loss to either buyers or sellers and, certainly, would have been a graceful boon to a class whose work is peculiarly harrasing to mind and body. The most cursory observation of their prolonged hours of labor, the, too often, confined, ill ventilated and badly lighted rooms in which their work is performed —not to speak of the whims and petulance of thoughtless customers —cannot fail to disclose the existence of a strong claim on whatever privilege may be in the power of their employers to concede. It is undeniable that, on occasions similar to that of next Saturday, if establishments are kept open, the profits on their business during the greater part of the day, are not such as to compensate for the ill feeling aroused in the employed. It is folly to suppose that the denial to members of one trade, that which is enioyed by those of another, can increase zeal, or tend to that mutual interest, which, we should think, ought to bo assiduously sought for and highly prized when found. Is it not then, in view of cultivating beneficial co-opera-tion, worth while to surrender the trifling income that may be expected from a single nights takings ? The solitary " man in the street," from noon till dark, during the race days, would have required Sam Weller's famous microscope to discover a satisfied draper or a contented draper's assistant within the town belt. Far bo it from us, however, to discountenance an abstention which may have been the result of moral misgivings; a racecourse is not perhaps, the best school for the inexperienced young men and engaging young ladies, who preside behind the counters and exhibit the attractions which, at other times, prove irresistible. Therefore, let the half holidays on race-days pass for the present, in the course of timo, perhaps, the race-course may not, by any, be considered contaminating, nor the participation in a sweep be open to the sweeping condemnation that we fear those dreadful things now receive from the drapers of Christchurch. In the meantime, it is quite certain that an agricultural show has nothing immoral about it, and cannot damage anything, except the " soft goods," displayed on the persons of its fair and stalwart visitants —which wear and tear, will eventually benefit the drapers; so to these gentlemen, in all good humor, wo finally say, cast aside all petty trade jealousies, and as there is still plenty of time to arrange it, imitate your friends the grocers, and give your servants a well deserved and much needed holiday.

TliK cablegram which wo published in our issue of yesterday is of a very startling character, and must have been productive of much auxietyand solicitude in the mother country. It has been somewhat amplified this morning, but the two important events mentioned yesterday staud prominently forward, and show that Russia is dealing with the Roumanians in Europe and the Afghans in Central Asia in exactly the same way as she treated the Servians. What, hopes she has held out to the Roumanians or the Afghans we do not know, bat wo may bo sure that promises of aggrandisement either of power or rank have not been wantiug. It is more than probable that Russia will disown any participation in tho conduct of the Ameer of Afghanistan, but there is little doubt that that Indian Potentate is under her iutlueuce and acting according to hor behests. In fact tho conduct of the Ameer is only another proof ai the uma cunuiog exhibited by

Schouvaloff when he lulled tho amiable and accomplished Earl Granville, then at tho head of tho Foreign Office, to sleep, and afterwards startled him out of his repose by tho annexation of Khiva. We, however, gather some comfort after all in reflecting with care on the tolegrams. Aud first of all though it may become necessary to declaro war against the Ameer, it by no moans follows that Russia would actively assist him or perpetrate any act which might bo deemed a casus belli. She has still one resource left, a kind of locus penilentce of which, if necessary to her own interests, she would not hesitate to avail herself, and the Ameer would find himself like the moa in Taranaki, " all alone," and it is more than probablo that his devotion to his Russian friend would cost him his throne. Then with respect to the European state of affairs. It is clear from the passive attitude of France that she does not expect to see Constantinople taken by a coup dc main, and as a matter of fact the project is improbable. Hungary remembers with gratitude the behaviour of the Turks in affording them an asylum when they revolted against tho House of Hapsburg, and would not side with Russia on any account. Neither bribes nor threats would affect that high - minded and courageous people. Austria, it is true, always fears disintegration when any part of Europe is involved in war, and we should be inclined to think that tho concentration of her troops is not a threat against Italy but a preparation for a contingency of a very different character. We are not of those who think that the present uncertain state of affairs can only be remedied by a great European war in which Austria, England, and Franco would be ranged on one side, and Russia and Germany on the other. Germany does not want war and France is not prepared to do battle for tho recovery of Alsace and Lorraine. The political horizon is portentous and gloomy. Yet we nevertheless think war may be avoided. Doubtless that erudite scholar and intrepid traveller Augustus Vambery will point to the present conduct of Russia in Asia as a positive proof of the predictions which he has dinned into the ears of the English people for years past, not only in his agreeable and instructive published works, but also in the many letters to the Press of the mother country. Except, as our pulse beats in sympathy with those at homo, the subject is not one in its direct aspect which affects the colony. Colonial securites may suffer some inappreciable depression, but, on the other hand, colonial produce will in all proliability command a higher market. With France neutral we have no fear for our commerce on the maritime highway. There will be no occasion for " war risks" policies, and so far, at least as Now Zealand is concerned, we see nothing but a hopeful and prosperous future.