LONDON CHAT.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 362, 12 March 1902, Page 4

LONDON CHAT.

jN.Z. Herald Correspondent.] London, Jan. 2d. Par more space is daily devoted by the London papers to the tawdry preparations for the coming coronation than to the tcvrible war which continues to exact its tribute of "• blood and treasure ” and to devastate thousands of onco happy British and colonial homes. There aro many peoplo who feel very strongly on the point, and who wish that all this fuss about furs and feathers and finery and gewgaws could have been postponed to " a more convenient season,” or at least to one when the public merry-making would not clash so severely with the deep sadness that pervades so many households which three years ago were bright and cheerful before they had lost their darlings —husband, father, brother, or son, as the caso may be—in tbe pitiless gulf of South Africa.

However, this sort of sentiment docs not appeal to those who for weeks past have been wholly engrossed in the allmomentous question of the precise length of red velvet which particular peers and peeresses should wear, the exact number bt rows ui onui — the npsition.of the. black spots on its white surface. These truly, weighty matters naturally take precedence of such trivial topics as life and death, war and peace. Still, there are people who speak disapprovingly, and, indeed, quite disrespectfully, about the preponderance given to topics of dress and show at this grave crisis in our history. References to the experiences of Romo and other fallen empires of the past are often to be hoard, but, happily, the good old British spirit underlies all these superficial follies, and will bubble up through tho silly scum of sumptuary solemnities.

That heterogeneous collection of incongruous atoms, the so-called “ Opposition Party,” has just invited and received another very nasty slap in the face in the House of Commons. An amendment to tho Address-in-Ileply was carefully drafted by the leaders of the Party in such a way as would, it was hoped, please all the different sections of the Liberal camp. Vain hope 1 A private member, Air Cawley, was put up to move it in the idea that this would avoid the arousing of the personal feelings which would come into play were Sir Henry Campbell-Banner-man, Sir William Harcourt, Mr Morley, or any other prominent Liberal to move it. The amendment was to the effect: That the House, while prepared to support all proper measures for the effective prosecution of the war in South Africa, was of opinion that tho course pursued by tho Government, and their attitude with regard to a settlement, had not conduced to the early termination of the war and the establishment of a durable peace. Tho mover explained that the difference of opinion between the supporters of the amendment and the Government was as to the means which should be taken to bring about peace. Its early effect was to elicit one of Mr Chamberlain's stirring 11 trumpet-blast ” speeches in which he speedily tore to tatters the feeble and wishy-washy insincerity of this puerile motion of censure. Ho demonstrated the unprecedeutc-d humanity with which the war had been conducted on the part of this country, but declared that the beaten nation must recognise its defeat. The Government wore not animated by any vindictive feeling, and would not be deaf to reasonable overtures c-f peace from responsible authorities. But they were not willing to take any action which might be construed as weakness or vacillation. With regard to tho question of amnesty Mr Chamberlain stated that the largest possible measure of amnesty would be granted. He concluded, amid loud cheers, with the declaration that- the Government intended to retain the confidence and support of the country and the Empire, and that the claim of the colonics to be heard with regard to the final settlement would certainly bo allowed in spite of the protests of a small section of the Opposition. As a specimen of the harmony among the Opposition I may quote Mr Lloyd George’s summing-up of the amendment which his leaders had drafted. He said it meant that one set of gentlemen were asked to support what they regarded as a criminal enterprise a 3 an inducement- for another set of "gentlemen to vote for a proposition they did not believe to be true. One set were told, “ If you will vote that what you consider black is to be treated as white,' then we will vote that what we consider to be white is, after all. thoroughly black.” This admirably describes tho puling piffle. But it did not please the Liberal leaders, and when Sir Henry CampbellBannerman spoke he bitterly complained that Mr Lloyd George should have been so nasty towards his own side. It is just as well that Sir Henry Campbell-Banner-man should have practical proof of what he obtains through his unworthy surrender to tho pro-Boer section of his so-called “ Party.” He “ climbs down ” and “ knuckles under ” most tguominiously to them, and they simply flout and taunt him in return. And the British public says very heartily, “ Serve him right !” And so, I fancy, my Mew Zealand readers will say.