HOME AND ABROAD.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1273, 31 December 1903, Page 8

HOME AND ABROAD.

THE WORLD'S NEWS. Sir William AlUn, member of the House of Commons for Gateshead, died suddenly of heart failure ; aged (l!l years. The Lyons strike ot silk dresser* and dyors, which was partially successful, has ended. Lord Curzon has sent to the Military Museum in London a collection of commemorative Indian army medals ol the liiir'tienth century. Some persons near Naples were making fireworks, when an explosion occurred. Eight were killed and live injured. According to tbe newspaper 'La Tubulin,' tbe Franco-Italian Arbitration Treaty, which was reported to have been signed, will be signed directly.

An eleven-year-old girl named Boy, after rescuing her brother, was drowned at Melbourne on Wednesday, together with a sister she was attempting to rescue.

A meeting of shareholders of a large Sydney firm of produce merchants decided to voluntarily liquidate. The trouble win caused by the firm's large importations of American wheat, llour and maize, and the subsequent fall in prices.

Stelling, a Gorman seaman, imprisoned at Newcastle on a charge of being a prohibited imroigrmt, who, on being leleased for deportation to Germany, refused to leave the colony until certain of his effects hud been returned, has issued a writ against the Federal Government claiming ill JOOdumugcs for alleged false imprisonment. The ' Westminster Ga/.ette ' shys th-it while Canada and Australia do riot nduce their tariffs sufficient to enable Biitish goods to enter their markets on terms of gr :..-■ equality thKQ at piesent they do not en to Mr Chamberlain's declarations at t • , I Colonial Conference. The' Gazette'

thut the colonial Airents-goneral ou ' t. keep f.ee from the lisciil controversy. Replying to a correspondent wh plained of the disadvantages Hri» : Me insurance companies experienced ■ iljicolonies compared with colonial compai.i-s in Britain, Mr Chamberlain stated that such a question could be properly d when negotiation' began with the colonies relative to treatment. Mt j, at Kdinburgh, declared that if Mr Eucceeded he would not give 20 years' purchase for the Empire's life.

As the i v South Wales referendum reto come in the majority for a a.number of members to 110 Parliament will meet early in February 'or the purpose of giving effect to the refjj-endum in time for the general election* . July. The Labor party has been an uncompromising opponent of any reduction, and rumors are current of developments with a view to delaying the redistribution of teats necessitated by the referendum. A meeting, whereat Lord Kothschild was present, adopted a petition to Lord L»nsdowne asking him to remonstrate with Uui. sia in connection with tbo sinister reports in circulation about the Kishincll trials.

Colonel Kenrm, with a composite force of 500, attacked 2000 Somalia at J»dbo!i, killing 80 and wounding 100. The liritish casualties were .two killed arid four wounded. Col. Kenna. finding tbe Mullah sending reinforcements, retired to Badmein. Tbe Thibetans are amazed at the liritish occupation of Port Shari, which ie capable of containing 1000 men, bclie\ing the occupation impossible.