MISCELLANEOUS.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 2964, 31 May 1898, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS.

Sir Julian Pauncefote has received many letters from all parts of America strongly advocating an alliance with Britain. The text of the Transvaal Executive's reply to Mr Chamberlain's despatch shows that the Transvaal is prepared to abide by the stipulations of the 1884 convention, but not to recognise the suzerainty of Great Britain. Two millions and a-half of Indian Treasury Bills have been subscribed for nine times over. Weddel'B Dairy Produce Review says that the quality of Australasian butter shows an undoubted improvement over shipments of former years. The Chinese Government have signed a 60 years' contract with an Anglo-Italian syndicate, an agreement being included for the construction of a railway in connection with the trunk line. The Associated Chambers of Commerce urge the Government to demand concessions authorising a railway from Burma to the upper valley of Yang-tze-Kiang. With regard to the New Guinea land grab, Mr Chamberlain, replying to the Premiers' remonstrance, states that a despatch bearing on the subject is already on its way to the colonies. Under the circumstances action will be withheld till the opinion of the colonies is obtained. The conference convened for the settlement of international disputes between Canada and the United States has opened. Sir Lewis Davies represents Canada, and Mr Foster Kaeson the United States. Speaking in the House of Commons, Sir W. Laurier, the Premier of Canada, said Mr Gladstone was a tireless, dauntless champion of the oppressed, and the most marvellous mental incarnation since Napoleon. Japan proposes to increase the taxa* tion by 35 million yen,' chiefly on land and alcohol, fo r the development of Formosa, and providing shipping bounties, and to expedite (be redemp. $ion of tii© debt,