IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXI, Issue 10236, 3 January 1894, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

MAIL AND CABLE CONFERENCES. THE DUKE OF YORK. [Special to Press Association.] LONDON, Jan. 1. Among the New Year honours are Mr L. Lyell, M.P. for Orkney, a Baronetcy, and Mr Thomas Pyne, Companion of the Order or the Star of India.

E. H. M. Davis, of H.M.S. Royalist, has been created a O.M.GK The Admiralty has ordered the construction of a first-class cruiser to steam twenty-four knots. Sir Charles Tapper, Sir J. F. Garrick, Sir Saul Samuel and Mr Sandford Fleming, are arranging to meet Lord Eipou to discuss with him the question of a subsidy for the Vancouver mail service, and point out the benefits that will accrue to the Mother Country and the colonies from the laying of a Pacific cable. Sir Andrew Clarke will probably co-operato with Mr Sandford Fleming in collecting statistics to submit to the conference which is to be held between the premiers of the various provinces of Canada to consider the Pacific cable question. These will include particulars as to the cost of tho resumption of tho survey abandoned in connection with three other routes. The Colonial Office has received the invitations from the Australasian Colonies, and they will bo submitted to the Duke of York on Monday. It is expected that he will give a reply immediately. It is believed that the Duke of York will reply that he is highly flattered at the request of the Australian colonies, but will require time to consider. He is consulting tho Queen and Prince of "Wales. The Princess’s accouchement ia expected in May. Mr H. H. Johnstone has resigned tha Commissionership of Central Africa. The Admiralty plans of torpedo fittings have been stolen from Portsmouth. Jan. 2. Tho Unionist Party in tho Housa of Commons agrees to assist the Government in pressing the Parish Councils Bill by Jan, IS, on tha Government agreeing to modify the constitution of Boards of Guardians and limiting tho powers of Parish Councils in hiring land for allotments to one acre of arable land and three of pastoral to each applicant, and otherwise protecting owners against injustice. Tho Radicals and some of the Conservative Party are much incensed at the action of the Unionists, but the terms of the compromise will probably be observed by a majority both ia the House of Commons and tho House of Lords. Tho Daily News urges the Duke of York to accept the invitation to visit the Colonies, and deprecates the suggestion that ha should go alone. The paper adds that tho tour would strengthen tbe ties between tho colonies and tho mother country, and the visit would be a living symbol of unity which would assist federation. The House of Commons will adjourn from Jan. 19 until Feb. 12, and tho now session will begin about Feb. 20. CALCUTTA. Jan. 1. Tho Indian National Congress has passed, a resolution regretting tbe closing of the mints, on the ground that the action of the Government would harden people in a feeling of hostility, and disarrange trade.