The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1885. WAR AND RUMORS OF WAR.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1936, 11 March 1885, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1885. WAR AND RUMORS OF WAR.

Whenever the leading spirits among European politicans have been indulging in amicable meetings, and have been giving forth the utterances of peace, there is sure to follow a period which gives the lie to these mild forecasts. As a sequence to the meeting of the three Emperors and their chief advisers wo now have the air troubled with rumors of war. Unfortunately most of these rumors point towards alliances aimed against the growing British Empire, and it is but natural, and in accord with human nature, that this ('rowin? Empire should raise feelings of envy and distrust among her neighbors and trade-rivals. We are inclined to think that Shakespeare would now find the world less a stage than a shopactuated too often by the petty jealousies of trade-rivals. The rapid advance during late years of all means of communication has so belittled the world that it is no wonder the continental powers are beginning to feel how circumscribed the arena of Europe is, and to look with longing eyes to an extension of their possessions, and trade beyond their ancient limits; and it cannot be denied that, turn their gaze which way they will over the Earth's surface, they will find tho avenues for extended trade, or suitable lands for possession, overshadowed and occupied by the wide-spreading British Empire. The natural consequence is that feelings of envy are aroused in them, and irritation that while they have struggled over the smaller field of European politics we have stolen a march ovor the fair fields of .the larger worid, The old rulo still holds

good to a great oxt'oht aniong nations—that the strong man holds' until a stronger comos along-so that the fact of our holding' the ; great possessions-and interests which form our empire is s Bound reason Tor maintaining the strength-to keep them.' It has hitherto been the unreasoning habit in England to look upon the outer -arms of the.Empire as elemehts'of. weak':', ness, only to be tolerated as part of the body because of the trade importance, and doubtless .this view has beta held "by England's neighbors. If- these outlying arms, the colonies, are arriving at a stage in their history when they are becoming' something more than mere hangers on of the empire, then we think there are two reasons why some sign of this coming strength should be shown; and as Adam Tmith, for the sake of argument, divided human'dealings under the two extreme "heads of sympathy and selfishness, so tho abovo two reasons may take the, same characters. The material is not wanting to arouse our sympathy with the home of our race in a time of need, the ties of blood, of a noble commou language and literature, of deeds of common ancestors devoting their lives to raise our race above all .rivals, of a proud past history in which we have a share—these things should lead us in tho Colonies to feel something more than the dictates of mercenary prudence. Nor is the other reason—selfishness—wanting in argument, for our trade and very independence must be for many years yet bound up with the welfare of tho Empire as a whole, so that anything in reason we can do to strengthen that Empire will aid in securing us in the peaceful occupation of our homes and commerce. It is no idle expression to say a time of need, for who can tell, with such a huge scattered body as this Empire has, where the fatal seed of aggression and dismemberment may not be sowing ? With an empire—as with an individual—to halt is to recede, as' history plainly tells us, as it does that all advancement must be protected vi et armis, if necessary. There can be no safer way of avoiding this last contingency than by showing strength, and as Lord Beaconsfikm proved, .what the empire was capable of when he brought Indian troops into, the Mediterranean, so the colonies, by offering' men at their own cost, has added another warning to the world in support of that given by the great Prime-Minister. It is idle to say that we can hold aloof from England's entanglements, therefore we do better to gird our loins in proportion to our interests, aud tho ability to do tin's is brought forcibly before the cp/i pf the world by tins readiness for aggression, yet believing, as we do, that it is the sounder and safer policy in the long run.

Since the panic of 1878 Maaterton.lias had but little municipial history. The carrying of the Gas loan yesterday marksa new departure, and will, we feel assured, herald a period of progress. The poll is a practical expression of confidence in the future of the totyn which will lead to other public works of utility being undertaken.

A meeting of the Stewards of the Masterton Jockey Club will be held at the Club Hotel this evening.

The Government have received the re-, port of Major Cautley on the defence of the various ports in the Colony, and they intend taking vigorous measures ai giving effect to it.

We notice that Mr R, Ayres herbalist of Taranaki-streetWellington has-opened a branch shop in Molesworth-street for the sale of Herbal remedies &c. His remedies appear to be very popular both in the town and country.

We received yesterday from Mr James Russel's orchard, at Kurip'uni specimens of twelye different varieties of rjpe apples which compare more than favourably with the imported fruit now displayed in our local shops.

Mr Marriott the veteran news vendor of the Empire City, notifies that as he is about to clear out of his promises on Lambton Quay, he will dispose of his stock of toys, stationery, and fancy goods, at less than ha]f.-price. About half past six last night His Worship the Mayor and tlje Top Clerk appeared on tho steps of the Institute, and gave amidst loud cheers the result of the poll on the gas loan, viz,, for, 250, against, 45, informal 3. The.formal declaration of the poll takes place today, The Masterton Hospital Committee met yesterday. Present.—Messrs Boddingtqn, (Chairman,) B. P. Perry, Payton W. Perry, Paige, and Bennett' The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, the Treasurer reported a credit balance of £lO6 1% 7d. It was resolved that a room in the I|qs.pital buildings should be fitted up as a consulting and visitors room. Thefollowing accounts were passed for payment, Messrs Caselberg and Co £l7los Whitfc and Donaldson £15133 A, R, Bunny £2 7s 6d, Mr Payton stated that the increase of patients at the Hospital necessitated better arrangements being made for medical visits and proposed that the Chairman, W. E. Paigo and the mover be a Committee to draw up new regulations for medical attendance, also for the remuneration to be paid for the same, the Committee to report to the next meeting, The motion was seconded by Mr Bennett and carried. After some further routine business the meeting adjourned. The weather is fine for shooting a Island Bay to-day. The Hawke's Bay match was completed at 11,30. a.m. today. Lucas, of Thames, winning with, the fine score of 93 out of a possible 100. The following are also prize winners in the match:—Churton, Wanganui, 87, £6; Bently, Masterton, 86, £5; Kummer, Masterton, 85, £4; Newdick, Thames, 84, £3; Sherwood, Chrisfcchurch, 84, £2; Nowell, Taranaki, 84, £1; Jeffreys, Christchurch, 84, £1; Hutchinson, Duhedin, 84, £1 j Wratt, Waimea, 84, £1; Taylor, Auckland, 83, £1; Leevers, Wellington, 83, £1; Gibbin, Nelson, 82, £1 ; Jooh, Dunedin, 82, £1; Badger, Qreymouth, 81, £1; Henderson, Auckland, Tiper and Ballinger, Wellington, and Jones, Waikari, were counted out.

A man named McKay, who is woU known as a stableman in this neighbor-' hood came to grief in a scuffle at, the, Tenui races, in which probably'excess of drink was the leading feature.,' Unfortunately he slept out all night in the open and was picked up next morning, in a veiy deplorable condition. As'there-' were indications of internal injuries, he was despatched yesterday afternoon to the Mastertpn Hospital.

On Monday last Mr ?', Cookery was decked a bankrupt on an information lodged in-the District Court by Mr E. Dixpnj. •"'>• ■ * Ata.niodting of the Stewards at the Mastorton:Opaki Jockey Club held last evening Mr Parsons was. requested to engage a band and a deputatian was appointed to wait upon the mayor to ask him to proclaim St Patrick's day apublio -holiday aften eleven■a.m:'- • •• • /The result of. the Education Board election is' Brown 28, Paterson 26, and Young 22. The dofeated candidates wero Speedy 21 and Oliver 13. The reelection of Mr Paterson is extrymely satisfactory. We question whether the accession of Mr Brown ane Young to the Board will be beneficial to country schools