GLOOM IN LONDON.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXII, Issue 42744, 6 July 1905, Page 3

GLOOM IN LONDON.

HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP. its weekly “jßound About ” column the Wellington Post has the following ' amusing satire on the recent High Commissionership appointment:— (Our special Cable Message.) London, Tuesday. For months past., of course, the one topic of conversation has been the question of the New Zealand High Commissionership, although abortive attempts were constantly being made by the Kaiser and President Roosevelt to focus upon themselves the interest which even the Russo-Japanese War and the Australian cricketers were unable to secure. During the past few days the absorbing .-topic became the dominant note, it permeated every section of society, and while it sup- . planted bridge and divorce in the life of Mayfair, it gave an added zest to the gin and four x of Seven Dials. A rumour was set afloat that overtures had been made to Mr Seddon to act as mediator in the war, and to umpire at the test matches, and the excitement, already keen, became positively intense. Suddenly, on Monday, the air became electric —and each citizen of the Empire roalised that it was going to happen. The Stock Exchange was a ;scene of agitated turmoil. Crowds V / gathered outside the newspaper offices, and beseiged the Agency-General and the Colonel Office. Traffic was suspended, Cabinet met every five minutes, and Ministers went about wringing their hands in a fever of anxiety Edition after edition poured from the newspaper offices. At last at noon to-day, a rurnonr spread like wildfire that the appointment had been made. A wild scenes ensued—all Londoa was in a delirium. Tho scene simply beggars description. The King climeii dn Melson't statue and 48,000,000 people waited, with hats ready for throwing in the air. “The High

Cum mission ur,” said his Majesty, in a clear anc'ringing voice, “ is ” and he paused a second, “Mr Beeves,” It was as if a thunderbolt had fallen ' : at the feet of the nation, and the whole 48,000,000 people fell with a thud that shook the earth, and disturbed the system. The Times thus gives the history of she negotiations:— “ For five ninths after the session ended the Government continued to ~, urge Mr Seddon to ornne and save the country, but lie returned ambiguous Implies thn At last a month ago, he wired :|‘Am on verge of decision. Massey making things hum. Shopkeepers in revolt. Nation waking up ’ Thenceforward daily communications were kept up, A fortnight ago the daily message from Mr Seddon ran: *Am not going. Tzar and Mikado approaching me to act as mediator Pecision in obeyance. Am going into reguliiir business as a War-settler.’ The negotiations, however, fell through and ih 5 days Mr Seddon cibled : Will give decision to-morrow.’ great delight was felt in Court circles, but the final message came next day and shattered the airy castles of our hopes. It ran e Am not going* Have found a way to grow to splendour here. Have discovered a great and glorious policy which saves the situation, and am going to face the country with new and brilliant programme of domestic Economy Reform which makes me secure forever” London is in mourning.