THE ETHIOPIAN THRONE

Hokitika Guardian, 8 November 1930, Page 8

THE ETHIOPIAN THRONE

Ras Tafari, who has now been officially crowned King of Kings of Ethiopia (commonly called Abyssinia; is not unaccustomed to coronations, that celebrated m the last few days n the presence of the Duke of Gloucester is the second ,a two years in which lie has been the principal figure. At his former coronation’Ras i'afari received the comparat.vely modest title of “King, Regent, Plenipotentiary and Heir to the Throne,” and it is possible that he felt that for i descendant of K.ng Solomon and -lie Queen of Sheba this description was inadequate.

Doubtless the honourable title of Nerus Negasti will be'worn with dignity iv the new Emperor, along w.th the insignia of the Victorian Older which his Majesty of Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Domin.ons Beyond the Seas has been pleased to bestow upon him. I’he ceremonial of a coronation at Addis Ababa seems to be no less impressive than that observed at sun lar ceremonies in the western countries. Indeed, the most recent one contained certain peturesque features which would delight the heart of the artist or ■ven the satirist.

The portable throne adorned by Ras Tafari when he met the Duke of Gloucester in the waiting room of the railway station represented a touch that has been overlooked in the organisation of the social impedimenta of other monarchs, but was hardly superfluous in the case of a potentate who must needs carry the emblems of office upon his exmrsions. A certain piquancy, moreover was provided in the fact that the new Emperor’s State coach is a secondhand one which was formerly used by so renowned a dignitary as the Cmperor William of Germany.

The lavish hospitality extended to lie whole Ethiopian army, which is to lie feasted in relays during the next few lays, may reasonablly be expected to impress his subjects wit lithe generosity of their ruler. The' possibility that ntertainment of this description may '-■onimend to his troops a sense of tile advantage of 'frequent changes in the person of their Emperor apparently has not occurred to Ras Tafari; but is be is a proven warrior he may coneivably have reason for faith in the •ontinued loyality of his forces. In recent years, during which he has been in practically undisputed control of bis countrys affairs, Ras Tafari lias commenced to work great changes in Ethiopia. The nations erf the world have become alive to the opportunities for .profitable commerce with the State, ■-Mid the advance guards of the modern age are already entrenched in a land which boasts “a civilisation of the Middle Ages, feudal in its inner spirit and its external form.” Sewing machines, motor cars ,kerosene, phonographs, toilet articles, and typewriters have found tlieir way into the Ethiopian towns ,and the wild and crudely developed tracts of tlie tribesmen are being broken by the twentieth century plough. Great Britaui lias for many years been interested in the kingdom, especially as the Blue Nile must be kept free from interference if Egypt is to enjoy the benefits of the irrigation works which the British Government has constructed. The presence of the Duke of Gloucester as the representative of King George at the coronation ceremony is more, therefore, than a royal gesture of courtesy. Ras Tafari is not unfriendly to Great Britain, and has, indeed, welcomed British capital to Ethiopia, and sponsored British enterprise that is calculated to make for the modernisation erf his country.

Other nations, however, notably Italy and tile United States, are closely interested in the potential wealth of the land, and it was necessary that Great Britain should yield place to none of these in paying respect to the King of Ethiopia. The attendance of an English prince at bis coronation and the receipt, through him, of a gold sceptre will not have unfavourably impressed !i ruler who, despite his personal “civilisation,” has been reared in the tradition of the East, and probably appreciates what is written in Proverbs, that a gift is as a precious stone in the eves of him Quit hath it.

At, ex-Nevv Zealander, now in London relates how strolling along Wardour Street., Soho, h 4 noticed a wooden pipe of Maori workmanship in the window of an old curiosity shop. Although quite, old it had never been smoked. It. was elaborately carved—a Chief's head, with staring pawn shell eyes. The buyer re-sold it for £lO. As a curio it wag worth the money, but so far as smoking goes any pipe will do. All pipes become fool sooner or later. When foieign tobacco is used it is sooner, because it’s so full of nicotine. Our N.Z. tobacco is not like that. It’s toasted, and the toasting largely eliminates the poison. That’s why you can smoke toasted so confidently. Can’t do you any harm. Four brands only of these famous tobaccos—lliverhend Gold, Navy Cut No. 3, Cavendish and Cut Plug No. 10. There are absolutely no other toasted brands on the market, and all four are noted for their exquisite aroma and delicious flavour. They represent the world’s purest tobaccos.—Advt.