The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, June 2, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1253, 2 June 1914, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, June 2, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Woked wide sorrow Is expressed at Ibe terrible shipping disaster which occurred in the St. Lawrence River last week, when the Canadian Pacific liner, Empress of Ireland, outward bound, was rammed and sunk by the Norwegian collier Storstad, during a fog. The Empress sighted the Storstad some distance away, gave warning, which was replied to by the Storstad, and the former hove to. The incoming Storstad entered the fog bank, and, it would appear, steamed full speed into the Empress, with what awful results are graphically described by the cables. Why the Storstad should have been going ahead full steam under such circumstances is, of course a matter tor full and searching enquiry. The loss of life totals 1,032, and 355 were saved. Several New Zealanders were among the lost. ihe Canadian delegates of the Salvation Army who were en route to the Conference in London, lost 138. Messages of sympathy have been cabled from all parts of the world.

In spite of the anxiety as to French domestic politics, the Irish question is bulking more largely every day in France, The French public is beginning to realise the seriousness of the situation. For many years past French sympathies have been on the side of Home Rule, a sympathy natural enough in a Roman Catholic country. In the last few years, however, the entente has been consolidated, and the sentimental sympathy with Ireland has been weakened by the separation of Church and State. French interest in England is now chiefly confined to the question of the aid with which Great Britain could furnish her as an ally in case of European complications. The Ulster crisis has drawn the attention of French public opinion chiefly because it diminishes Great Britain’s influence in the counsels of Europe. It is realised m Paris that anything in the nature of civil war on the British side would immediately render British help to France on the Continent problematical. In a leading article, the Temps says: ‘Tf the officers in Ireland thought it right to resign again in face 0! another Government pronouncement, and the Cabinet were to go to the country with the cry, ‘Ts the will of the army to overthrow the will of the people?” there is no doubt what the reply of the country would be. Thanks to Mr Asquith, the Radical Party has been able to extricate itself with success from a very dangerous position. Is it, however, at the end of its troubles ? That is another affair. It is very clear that, though theoretically the civil power is supreme, yet it will not dare to use that power in Ulster. That is equivalent to saying that it will not dare to apply the Home Rule Bill, should it be voted.”

“My earlier impression of the new type of British life which is being evolved under the Southern Cross has been abundantly confirmed during the past five years,” writes the Rev F. C. Spurr, a Melbourne clergyman, who is now in England. “There can be no question that the Australian type of Britain is wholly different from the English type. For this difference the climate is chiefly responsible. Close observation has revealed the tact that the third generation of Australians —that is, the generation which owns for its parents an Australian-born father and mother —tends towards the Italian or Spanish type rather than the English, This third generation is one of jet black hair and dark eyes ; it is the Italian or Sicilian type. This is particularly noticeable in Sydney and in Queensland. Life there is largely Neapolitan. A Neapolitan climate is producing a Neapolitan type of man and woman. The atmosphere of Puritanism, which has lingered over England even until this day, is wholly absent from Australia. The break between the two types of life is complete, and the distance between them seems destined to become wider. The British prejudice against the theatre, lor example, does not exist nut here. Great numbers of Church members openly patronise the play-house. Some of the devoutest and most earnest Christian men I know find a place in their programme for the theatre, when good plays are staged. Australians, as a whole, are a sport-loving people. They are a happy people. They take all li'e in the sunshine, even their religious life. The minor chords are entirely absent from their music. All is gay and lively. This spirit has invaded the Sabbath. The old'fashioned Sunday exists oniy for a small minority of persons. During the summer months teps of thousands of people

spend the week-end amongst the hills or by the seaside, and the vast majority of these never trouble the churches. Yet, if they were challenged they would disclaim hostility to the church —they might even contribute to its funds; nevertheless, Sunday is for them a day of pleasure.”