THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER. TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1902. PEACE IN SIGHT.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 208, 27 May 1902, Page 2

THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER. TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1902. PEACE IN SIGHT.

At last there seems to be a reasonable prospect of peace, and that within a few days. At the commencement of the conference at Vereeniging small hopes of a settlement were held out by those most competent to judge, but on Saturday more favourable news was received, its arrival causing much rejoicing and excitement in the cities. The evident intention of the delegates was to haggle for terms, but the British have learnt many lessons during the war, and the present is too late in the day for “slimness.” The Boers were faced with an ultimatum embodying proposals thoroughly fair from cither point of view, with the intimation th.d their refusal will be the signal for the decisive pushing on of openlions. They were informed that

it was useless to look' for independence, as it was not to be dreamt of, and, evidently recognising that the struggle was in

pain, they wisely decided to proceed to the arranging of terms. This was done in conference at Pretoria, and the final vote will be taken at Wreeniging in a day or two. As none of the questions now involved are likely to offer a barrier, it is almost certain that peace will be a matter of little time, which is indeed a consummation devoutly to be wished.

The question of the day throughout the Empire will, of course, be, In what way can we best celebrate the cessation of a struggle that has been such a in drawing together the British nation ? That was almost decided on some two yeais ago, aiyd■ :bo v. .1 o :• will have to be r :mnrnced from the point, where it was dropped. Naturally what will be done in this town chiefly interests Waimate people,

We had a Peace Celebration Comniitlt e, which has in handsome £CO or £4O ami a meeting of this body is called for to-night. There liae been some talk of asking the Peace Committee to throw in their lot with tlie Coronation

Committee and make one function

However, now that peace is. apparently so close this suggestion is almost certain to be thrown out. The money was collected, for a definite object and is bonnd ; to be used for such. If, however, negotiations hang fire and peace is secured simultaneously with the Coronation celebrations the two could well be amalgamated on the Coronation Committee producing a like sum of money to that in the hands of the other

committee. Otherwise it is best

for each body to act independently, However, we do not wish to dictate in any way; the committee meets this evening and the matter will be thoroughly threshed out. THE MEEK SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH. In Wellington, during the progress of the arrangements for the Coronation celebrations the form of religious service was, of coarse, under discussion and a hitch occurred because the Jewish Rabbi was to take part. After some acrimonious discussion thf other ministers declined to take' part, and the present probability is that separate services will be held. For downright obstructive-: ness commend ns to religious bodies. One would think the Coronation celebrations of a United Empire would be heralded by some show of magnanimity and brotherliness on the part of those whose task it is to preach the gospel of love and self-sacrifice to all men. Wiry ..we have drawn,; attention to it is to Try and guard against a similar exhibition here 5 .' It advances'neither the cause of religion nor the prestige of the ministers concerned.