ITo THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR, — Will you kindly
extend your hospitality to some brief observations regarding the article, " Sweden and Norway," in your issue of April 22nd ? What strikes me is that you state as a fact what is really a contention of some Swedish poli- ticians,—viz., that " the contest rages round the control of the
Foreign Office and the Consular Service as a pivot, but it is really a struggle for and against separation." The control of the Foreign Office is not at stake at present, and the contest only turns on the organisation of a separate Consular Service for Norway. This is deemed a necessity for the Norwegian commerce and shipping trade, especially since Sweden in the early "nineties," after having adopted a Protectionist system, denounced the Treaty of Free-trade with Norway, the conse- quences being that a complete Customs boundary had to be created between the two countries. The foundation and organisation of our industrial life being entirely different from that of Sweden, it will be easily understood that a common Consul will hardly be able to see to the interests of both countries. The Treaty of Union does not mention at all the Consular Service, and all authorities therefore agree that Norway is entitled to change the organisation of this Service, just as Sweden in 1885 altered the Parliamentary control of the Foreign Office, which is also acting as Foreign Office for Norway. It is also noticed with great pleasure in this country that important leaders of Swedish public opinion, such as the senior Member of the Second Chamber, Mr. Adolf Hedia, moreover one of the foremost of Scandinavian Parliamentarians, and the great Stockholm paper, the Dagens Nyheter, earnestly warn their countrymen against interfering in this Norwegian question. We hope that when our Parliament has passed the new Bill, the Royal Assent will speedily follow. This will greatly strengthen the loyalty to the Crown, and be in the real interest of the Union.
—I am, Sir, &c., CHR. L. LANGE,
Secretary of the Nobel Committee of the Norwegian Parliament. Victoria Terrasse 7, Kristiania.
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