BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8122, 19 March 1887, Page 5

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH— OOPRIGHT.] [Reuter's Telegrams.] [Received March 18, at 2.45 p.m.] MONETARY AMD COMMERCIAL LONDON, March 17. Consols remain at 101|. New Zealand 4 per cent inscribed stock has further advanced 10s, and is now at 9 7\. Five per cent 10-40 loan remains at IOOf. The Bank of England’s weekly returns show the total reserve in notes and bullion to he £16,500,000, an increase of £600,000 during the week. The proportion of reserve to liabilities is 49 per cent. Colonial breadstuffs and tallow are without quotable change. Hides.—Demand limited. Prices one-eighth of a penny lower. Leather —Best Australian is selling at llfd. Best selected transparent kauri gum is realising £l2. [Received March 18, at 5.30 p.m.] COLONIAL DEFENCES. LONDON, March 17. It is announced that the Imperial Government has prepared an extensive scheme for Colonial defence, which will be submitted to the Colonies represented at the approaching Imperial Conference. APPOINTMENT. Mr M'Minnes has been appointed Professor of Husbandry to the Adelaide University. THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. [Received March 18, at 10 p.m.l It is announced that the first meeting of the Imperial Conference will he held at the Foreign Office on April 4, when the Marquis of Salisbury and other Ministers will he present. Tbe subsequent meetings will he held at the Colonial Office on April 7, when the Conference will he adjourned till April 15. A GENEROUS DONATION. The Due d’Aumale forwarded £SOO for the Imperial Institute, as a mark of his attachment to tho Queen. THE ITALIANS IN ABYSSINIA. ROME, March 17. General Saletta has been appointed to succeed General Gene, as Commander of the Italian forces at Massow ah. THE DELEGATES. LONDON, March 18. The Colonial delegates to the Imperial Conference have been elected

honorary members of tbe Garlton Club. MR GLADSTONE ON THE IRISH QUESTION. At a Liberal meeting last nigbt Mr Gladstone made a speech, in which he stated that he was anxious that a reasonable understanding should be arrived at between tbe Unionists and his followers. He said ( he would adhere to the main part of his proposals for the settlement of the Irish question, and he hoped an agreement was possible regarding tbe necessary modifications, and improvements in tbe laws of Ireland, especially in connection with the land, but he deprecated any haste in regard to Home Rule, as the nation would gradually come round to his views on the question. [Special to Press Association.] (Received March. 18, at 12.23 p.m.] LONDON, March 17. M. do Lesseps’ visit to Berlin, and his interview with Prince Bismarck, has not given unqualified satisfaction in France, notwithstanding the pacific result. The Press condemn his action on tbe ground that Russia may take offence at an exchange of friendly assurances between Prance and Germany. France cannot run the risk of offending Russia. The Queen has sent a message to the Czar, congratulating him on his escape from the bombs of the Nihilists. [Received March 18, at 10.20 p.m.l Mr Hewetson M'Minnes, who has been appointed Professor of Agriculture in the Adelaide University, was a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, and possesses the highest credentials. He will probably sail for Adelaide in the Austral. The memo with reference to Colonial defences, which is now nnder the consideration of the Imperial Government has been forwarded to the Agents-General, but it is regarded as strictly confidential. Mr Deakin, of Victoria, had an interview with Lord Lyons, the English Ambassador at Paris, who promised to facilitate the_ Victorian Exhibition. He thanked*Lord Lyons for his action in connection with the rdcidivistes, and declared that the Colonies were determined to protect themselves, Messrs Downer and Deakin return to Australia early in May, [Received March 19, at 12.50 a.m,] LONDON, March 18. Violent attacks have been made on M. de Lesseps for his describing Germany as the natural friend of France. The amount subscribed at present towards the Imperial Institute fund is .£IOO.OOO.

Turkey has declined the Russian suggestion, that she should re-occupy Eoumelia.