LATE CABLES.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 25 February 1888, Page 3

LATE CABLES.

Special to Press Association. London, Feb 21. In the course of a debate in the House of Commons last night, the Right Hon. Henry Chaplin, member for Sleaford, referring to the commercial depression in Great Britain, said that no improvement in trade could be looked for until the stagnation in agricultural circles had been removed and interest iu farming was thoroughly revived. The Right Hon. Lord John Manners, Chancellor of the Ducliy of Lancaster, said the severity of the depression in Great Britain was fully recognised by the Government. Mr Howard Vincent, member for Sheffield, speaking on the same subject, said the only remedy for the existing depression in trade and commerce was a thorough-going policy of Protection, and added that he was determined to advocate the protection of industries in the United Kingdom. In the Houpe of Commons, Sir James Fergusson, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, replying to a question, said that the French troops would be withdrawn from the New Hebrides within four months from the 16th November.

A meeting of shippers interested in breaking up tho shipping ring was held to-day, at which 150 were present. The report of the committee appomted at a previous meeting to consider the matter was adopted, and another committee appointed to confer with the shipping brokers, whose unfairness was strongly condemned.

The Primate, in the course of an address delivered at the open'ng of a new church at Bethnal Green, said that the chief evils of the social condition of those residing in the East End were drink and early marriages. Terrible snowstorms have been experienced in Cumberland, and five trains have been embedded and traffic of all 1 'nds interrupted. A large number of sheep have been frozen to death.

The Agents-General have been invited to a National Conference, which is to be held at Ber ,: n on 15th March, to make arrangements for the pub''cation of a polyglot Customs Tariff. llono Kong, Feb 20. The city of Yunnan, capital of the province of the same name, in tho south-west of China, has been partially wrecked by an earthquake, and 2000 of tho inhabitants k’Ucd. St. Petersburg, Feb 20. It is genorafiy befieved that the Russian Government are seeking to secure tho neutrality of England in the event of war, and it is reported that they aro ready to guarantee to abandon their designs on Ind ! a. Quetta, Feb 10. The foi iificaticns of Herat are being strengthened by the Biitish Goveivncnt, the order for carry ing out tho work having been given veiy sudder’y. Roji. 3, Feb 19, The Italian Government are inak’ng rapid progress with the work of placing tho navy oa an efficient footing. Great activity is also being displayed in putting the fortifications in order, and LieutenantGeneral E. Mattei, President of the Committee on Fortifications, is now inspect'ug the Alpine fortresses. Berlin, Feb 18.

Dr Becgmann stites that tho result of a recent diagnosis confirms his belief that the Crown Prince’s throat is developing indications of cancer. Sir Morell Mackenzie is as yet uncertain on the pornt.