INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION. LECTURE BY MR WILLIAM JONES.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 357, 6 April 1889, Page 6

INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION. LECTURE BY MR WILLIAM JONES.

Auckland, March 29. Mr Wxlham Jones, formerly Hon. Commissioner of the War Victims' Fund during the Franco-Prussian and Eusso-Turkish Wars, delivered a highly interesting lecture at, the lecture hall of the V.M.C.A. on Fiiday evening. There was a laige audience, and Sir George G>ey, X.C.8., occupied the chair. Mr Joueih said that no mean suras had been spent for defence in these colonies for fear of some foieign invasion, and thab the colonies therefore had a \ery ditect interest in the treaty of peace by arbitration which was pioposed between England, America, and the colonies. It was not only proposed, but was, receiving considerable attention. Mr Jones made' 'Pome very eulogistic remarks on the late Hon. Mr Bright, whom he described as e/ery man's friend the whole world over. He said that Mr Blight considered that the proposed tieaty between England ahd* America was possible, and that if it were secured it would be a great step in the world's march. The idea was that should the great nations of England and her colonies and America, including some hundred million soul?, agree to dispose of their differences by peace arbitration they would affoid a very great example for other nations of the world. That this idea was nob visionary was proved by the naovemenfc that had b^en commenced in France, where 111 of the Deputies ha:l petitioned the President to endeavour to obtain a similar treaty between the United States and France. He (Mr Jones) found thab the United States was even "more ripe for such a proposal than the people at Home. Tbi-> question of peace and the settlement of disputes by arbitration wan of the greatest importance throughout the world, and he believed that, once the artisan class realised this, there would be the beginning of the end in that blessed time when the people would be relieved of the vast cost of continual armament, which was at present crushing them to the earth. Mr Jones then spoke at length of his personal experiences of the horror 3 of war, more particularly the great struggle between France and Germany. He al&o quoted some remarks of Count yon Motlke from a. speech in which ho stated that the existing armament of the great nations- would involve a bui'den on Germany to stand under arms for another 50 yearp. This rivalry in armaments be' ween the great nations went on year after year in one mad game of " beggar my neighbour," and the result was that within the last 25 years the material indebtedness of Europe had nearly doubled. Mr Jones a'so dealt with the military systems of 'Russia and Italy, and the crushing effects the sehad on the unfortunate tnxpayei's. He also made special reierence to the cordial relations that had existed oetween England and America since the amicable settlement of the Alabama case. On the motion of Sir William Fox, a hearty vote of thanks was accoided to Mr Jones ior his highly interesting lecture, ! and the pioceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.

Australian cricketers seem very much inclined to take up baseball as their winter game, and it is now going ahead by leaps and bounds. All the prominent cricketers in Melbourne and Adelaide now play it, while nob neglecting their cricket. Little Dot: "Mamma, Dick is kissing me." Mamma: "I am glad he like 3 you so well, dear. ' " Bub it i&n'b wighb. ' " Oh, ifc don'fc matter, pet. What makes you think it isn't right?" "'Cause nurse bold papa so." J. G M. Weate, formerly editor o± the "Catholic Times," has commenced proceedings against Archbishop Redwood, proprietor of the paper, for the recovery of £250, damages for wrngioul dismissal.