LONDON.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3213, 17 October 1881, Page 3

LONDON.

October 4

Sir Stafford Northcote, in the address delivered at Hull, made some vague reference to the policy of the newly established National Free Trade League, and expressed an opinion that the system of free trade which the late Mr Cobden and John Bright had advocated neglected interests at home, while it stimulated the foreign market. The present state of the home trade demanded consideration, as it was capable of immense development. He deprecated the extension of the land agitation in England. The Emperor of Austria and the Czar of Russia recently exchanged visits with the Emperor of Germany, one at Garstein and the other at Dantzicb, and they have now arranged to meet at Warsaw, the capital city of Russian Poland, od Wednesday next, !the 12th instant, in order to confer together on matters of European interest. The new crop of cotton is coming forward, which has relieved the tension of the market to such an extent that the cotton mills in Lancashire which had stopped work for some time owing to the short supply available are resuming operations. The Arab insurgents have defeated the army which the Bey of Tunis despatched to suppress them. They subsequently wrecked the railway at Onadzergha, and burned twelve employes alive. Several Englishmen were among those who perished. A sculling match has been arranged between Trickett, of Sydney, and Plasted, an American oarsman who got fourth place in the contest that took place at Seefcink, Providence, Rhode Island, for the Hop Bitters prize in June, 1880. The race will be rowed on the Bth instant at St. Louis, the capital of Missouri.

Mr W. E. Gladstone is now on a visit to Leeds, which borough returned him at the-head of the poll at the general election in 1880. His reception wss a perfect ovation, the greatest enthusiasm being manifested by the inhabitants. Mr Parnell is engaged organising the Irish farm laborers as a distinct section of the National Land League, whose efforts have hitherto been principally directed to the amelioration of the condition of the tenantry. In connection with the Liberal demonstrations at Leeds, a public meeting was held to-day for the purpose of hearing a speech from the premier. Mr Gladstone, in a lengthy address dealing with many subjects, attributed the depression of trade throughout Great Britain to the decrease of the purchasing power of the people in consequence of the series of bad harvests, and not contracting the exports of the country. With regard to the land laws Mr Gladstone acknowledged that reform was required. The farmers, he thought, should be in a poeition to secure interests in their holdings, and obtain compensation for improvements, but he would never consent to the application of the Irish Land Act to England. He was adverse to the question of free trade and protection, he declaring his conviction that the English Government would never pledge itself to restore protective duties; as well might the Government attempt to abolish trial by jury. The Standard baa been given to understand that the Government will probably appoint an Assistant High Commissioner for the Pacific.

With the view of being prepared for any contingencies which may arise in the event of the non-ratification of the convention, orders have been given for the immediate concentration of all the British troops stationed in Natal in close proximity to the Transvaal. The troops are now hastening to the frontier. Baron Yon Haymerle, who in October, 1879, succeeded Count Andrassy as Minister Imperial for Home and Foreign Affairs, and President of the Common Ministry of Austria and Hungary, died unexpectedly yesterday.

r REUTBSR'B Special to Telegraph.]