THE QUEEN'S JUBILLEE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2176, 19 June 1886, Page 3

THE QUEEN'S JUBILLEE.

On Sunday, the 20th of June (writes an English contemporary) the fiftieth year of Queen Victoria's reign commences. Within the period of her sovereignty changes have taken place in England and the world far greater than in auy previous •imilar period. The last half-century has seen the marrellons growth of our colonies. Jt is therefore peculiarly appropriate that this year there should be held in London a great exhibition of Indian and colonial products, which on the one hand will familiarise home-keep-ing folk with the work and customs and surroundings of onr fellow-subjects beyond the seas, and on the other hand bring into closer connection with the Mother Country onr far-away cousins and dusky-skinned dependants. About a month ago we published letters from Mr Geo. Howell, M.P.and Mr Joseph Arch, M.P. — representatives of labour, and of the advanced wing of the Liberal party — suggesting that, in view of this Exhibition and of the depression in Home trade, it would be esteeired by the country as a good thing if Her Majesty would be pleased to sanction the celebration of her Jubilee thia year, when such celebration could be participated in by repre sentati ves f i om every clime assembled in the capital city of the Empire. The suggestion has been we'll received. The Council of the Royal Colonial Institute and of the National Federation League have, we understand, intimated to Lord Granvillc how grateful such a celebration would be to the w hole Colonial Empire. The City of London, which it must be allowed, is never reluctant to place itself in evidence on such occasions, has made arrangements to give the Colonial and Indian delegates heirty and fiaternal welcome, commencing with a State service in St. Paul's. A grand reception at the Guildhall, a banquet at the Mansion House, and a ball at the Guildhall will nofc exhaust the festivities of the week ; for it is intended to arrange for the laying of the foun-dation-stone of the Tower Bridge, which is to wrest fi om London Bridge the proud position it has enjoyed for thirteen centuries, and i» therefore an ocenrreuce of peculiar importance. Besides this, there will be special fetes and receptions at the Exhibition itself, aud at the Crystal Palace — that wondrous building which it the evidence and the reminiscence of the Great World's Fair of 1831— the work, if it alone existed, which would immortalise the name of the Prince Contort. If, now, they would advise the Throne in such personal matters would put before Her Majesty the aptness of the opportunity, it is urged that it would f;ive to the present year a great and lastng historic interest, were the Queen herself to grace the occasion by taking parin some public function in which representatives of all nations could join to mark the happy event of her jubilee. Only three previous English Monaruhs have worn the crown so long, and in each instance, Henry 111., Edward 111., and George 111. followed Scriptural precedent. " A Jubilee shall the fiftieth year be unto you," saysLeviticusaud though modern life does not permit the form of rejoicing in medieval days— when the fountains ran with wine, and great feastings were held in the streets — yet in very nearly a literal sense would this take place were the Queen to give the word. The visitors from our dependencies would be more than quadrupled, each having commercial objects, as well as loyalty and sight-seeing, in view. The Jubilee of George 111. took place at • time when the King had but just recovered from an attack of that malady which, within a few months, was to return and hold him in bondage for the rest of his days. Yet throughout the country there were not merely rejoicings in honour of the occasion, but as memorials, great relief works were undertaken— for It was time of dire distress, even worse than at present. A loyal and cnthusiAttic nation is now said to be prepared to seize the happy opportunities of this year, to mark them by special aud spontaneous celebrations, such as shall not fail to be of benefit both to the throne and the people, in rendering stronger those ties of sentimeut which are not leas powerful than the bonds of law. What the decision of the Queen will be remains undecided.