GENERAL NEWS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 486, 26 November 1897, Page 3

GENERAL NEWS.

j (Per Press Association.—L'upyriyht.) ! London, Nov. 21. A Conference of railway workers was belcl at Birmingham to discuss tbe railway companies' replies to the recent demand for a reduction of hours. The Conference considered the reply to be unsatisfactory, and decidered to reiterate the previous offer to submit tbe matter to arbitration. If the offer is not accepted there will be a strike. The Engineers' Conference is amicably discussing the question of freedom of management claimed by the employers, The Hon J. Chamberlain, speaking at Birmingham' said it was intended to bring the army up to the needs of the time, making a soldier's position more honorable. He advised the adoption of the Scotch system of religious instruction in schools. The Irish Local Government Bill was as complete and popular as that of either England or Scotland, and would be introduced next session. A threat made by the British Government to abandon the Channel Islands unless the local militia reaches the requirements of the War Office has greately excited the inhabitants, who fear the islands may be exchanged for a French settlement on the Niger, West Africa. Nov. 24. Arthur Sturrock, arrested in Melbourne, pleaded guilty of embezzling £25,000, the property of the British Union Co.'s Bank at Kilmarnock. A Reuters' telegram states that the Government deny any intention to hand over the Channel Islands to France. Stockholm, Nov. 24. The ship Cuthona, from Sundavall for Australia, with a cargo of timber, was wrecked off Limpnas Klubb, in the Stockholm Archipelago. Constantinople, Nov. 21. The Sultan has decorated General Hahnke, chief of the German Emperor's Military Cabinet. Brussels, Nov. 24. A goods train collided with a passenger train at Touroay. The carriages containing the passengers were smashed and teii persons killed. St. Petersburg, Nov. 25. The Novosti newspaper urges Russia, France, and (;reat Britain to occupy Chinese territory to counterbalance the action of Germany in seizing Klan Chou. Nov. 25. Russia demands the immediate payment of £1,150,000 of arrears on account of the Turkish indemnity. Atuens, Nov. 25. Tbe Chamber of Deputies has apj pointed a committee to investigate the { circumstances which led to the war.