The Henson Journals

[380]

Thursday, October 29th, 1908.

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I returned to Westminster by the 10.41 a.m. express, and got in to Dean's Yard in good time for lunch. At 3 p.m. I attended Evensong in the Abbey; & after service picked up Durward Moffatt, aged 17, a lad whose devoutness had arrested my notice. He says that I picked up his brother some while since, and showed him all over the Church.

I dined with Ker at the Old University Club in Suffolk Street. Simon, Robinson, Amery, Baker–Wilbraham, & Liddell completed the party. We had a great discussion over (α) Chinese labour: (β) the Licensing Bill.

Robinson says that the general depression of trade in South Africa has put out of employment a great number of natives: that these have been flocking to the mines; and that therefore the places of the Chinese have for the time being been filled: but that this will not continue to be possible when the return of normal prosperity sets in, of which there are already signs: & that that then the need of labour at the mines will again become acute. He also said that the notion that the Chinese would degrade morally the natives of South Africa was absurd; the said natives being already addicted to the "Chinese" vices. He says that Lord Selborne's ready piety takes on greatly with the Boers: but that they hoodwink him to their hearts' content.

[381] [symbol]

On Saturday, the 31st of Oct. 1908, I went out for a short walk after Evensong, and when half way over Westminster Bridge, fell in with the Archbishop, who asked me to walk across to the Athenaeum with him. He started at once on the Education question, & said that he was in good hope of reaching a settlement. He had agreed on terms with Asquith & Runciman which would infuriate the sections of opinion represented by the Bps. of Birmingham, & Manchester, by Lord Halifax & the E.C.U., & by Lord Hugh Cecil. He thought that the support of the Bps. of London, Southwark, & Stepney might be secured: & he was very anxious that when the new proposals were made public the first opinions in favour of them shd come from the orthodox camp. His meaning was, of course, obvious, that he hoped I, being persona ingratissima to the clergy should not appear on his side! I told him that my single aim was to secure a reasonable settlement, that I should always be particularly glad to find myself conscientiously able to support him, that he need never fear my being offended by any hint of his personal wishes: but I confess my scepticism as to the possibility of proposing a reasonable scheme, which shall secure the support of the Bishops of London, Southwark, & Stepney. This is a singular side–light on the solitude in which I stand in the Church of England.

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Saturday is our day of calamity. So once again. My wife had convened some neighbour's girls for a Hallow E'en Party, & the fun was about to begin when a telegram arrived from Miss Smith ("Cousin Helen") in these terms:–

• 'Your father taken stroke at Kempsey four miles from Worcester taken to doctor's house I am with him and got a nurse.'

A telegram inquiring whether immediate presence was desired drew an answer summoning Ella to go forthwith. So arrangements were hurried on for her departure by the 7.30 p.m. from Paddington. The maidens were dismissed as early as possible, & then we went to the station, where we parted. Jim Dennistoun is due to arrive from India next Thursday. It had been arranged that he with his father & sister should motor to Rome, but that arrangement must be cancelled in view of this untoward event.

My wife's Mother died on July 17th 1905. It would be rather sad if Jim returned to England to find himself bereft of both his parents.

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Issues and controversies: Chinese labour in South Africa; education bill; licensing bill