CABLE NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 7, 6 December 1883, Page 2

CABLE NEWS.

French Claims m the Pacific. , The Recidmstes Bill. Sir John Hall's Health. 1 Arrival of the Lusiiania. The Speakership(by electbio telegbuph.-cdp^bight) (special to united pb • ssassooiation.) London, Dec. 4. The claims made by France respecting islands m the Baoific affect the Society Islands, Marquesas Austral Group?, Low Archipe'a»o, Kapa, and Leeward Islands, including Karatea. The detiils have been seat to Major Atkinson. Mr aiurray Smith is vigorously supi porting Sir F. D. Bell's action, m warn T ing the Government that m the event of Recidivistes Bill becoming law^ the colonies would resort to defensive , weisures. ft is believed m official circles that the proposal to permit convicts to leave the settlements at periods of six months is intended to facilitate labor m the New Hebrides. Sir John Hftll, who came Home for the benefit of his health, is much better. The st9am^r Ltisitnnia has arrived with a cargo, of fro^m meat from Sydney m splendid condition. The Kight Hen, Gee. J. Goschen declines to be nominated as Speaker of the House of Commons owing to defective eyesight. It is thought probab'e that Mr A. W> f M.P. for Warwick, will now be nominated on Sir Henry Brana'd tetii-ement.