MAIL NEWS. (Spectator's Summary). London, April 24,

North Otago Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 8918, 15 June 1897, Page 4

MAIL NEWS. (Spectator's Summary). London, April 24,

THE INDEPENDENT LABOE PARTY. The fifth annua 1 Conference of the Independent Labor Party was held in London this week. At the final meeting at the Essex Hall on Tuesday, Mr Keir-Hardie in the chair, Mr Tom Mann moved that the Party should in future be called the 11 Socialist Party." Its members " etood to-day aa the representatives of the principles of Socialism, and there was no room in the party or organisation for anyone who was no* prepared to' subscribe to the principles of Socialism." The Party, however, appeared to be of a differenb opinion, and after a discussion the proposal wai rejected. The programme adopted by the party waa, however, of a distinctly Soolaliitic type. It begins by declaring for the collective ownership of all land and capital, and for an equal distribution of wealth. In order to bring about the desired state of things the party demand (1) an eight hour day; (2) the right to have woik found for them by everybody at a minimum of 6d per hour, the loc»li ies having the power to find and spend the necssary money ; {$) State pensions for everyone over fif y years of age, and adequate provision for widows and children and invalids • (4) free education and free maintenance for children when at school or at the University: (5) aboli ion of child labor ; (6) abolition of indirect taxation, and the transfer of all burdens to unearned incomes, with a view to their ulimate extinction. Thab is a pret y good programme. The last clause, however, is quite unnecessary. The unearned income will pass away with very little trouble provided that the programme is properly carred oub. The expenditure suggested will soon nuke incomes disappear.

THE BRITISH FLEET AT DELAGOA BAY. The British Bqnadron under the command of Admiral Eawaon, consisting of cix cruisers, one battleship, and one gunboat*, arrived at Delsgoa Bay on Thursday, cix of tbe ships entering the river, while two remained in the oat r anchorage. The news *»s well received in Lisbon by all parties, who regard it as a demonstration against a possible raid opon Lorenzo Marqnez by bhe Boers or by Germany. The Times' correspondent •b Lisbon reports that tbe Portugese Minister of Foreign Affairs mentioned to him that the Britiab Government bad given aisarances of its good intentions towards Portugal. H> inferred that the stories of the sale of Lorenzo Marqoez were not true. For all that, we trust that Portugal may consent to an exchange of territories whioh will allow as to take possession of Delagoa Bay. We can understand a proud State like Portugal refuting to sell her birthright, but if terriborial compensation of equal or greater value to Portugal could be found, such a cession plus money compensation ought not to be unaccepted.

MR RHODES AT CAPE TOWN. Mr Rhodes reached Capetown on Tuesday, and was received by the Chairman of the Sooth African League and a deputation of Members of Parliament md leading inhtbitants. In the* course of his reply to the addreia presented to him, Mr Rhodes thanked bit frienda for recognising his •' higher motives," and be declared that be still hoped by constitutional meant to arrive ab the point all desired— namely, equal rights for every white man south of the Zambesi, irrespective of race. Then , added Mr Rhodes, will come gradually the union of South Africa. Referring to the Afrikander Bond, Mr Rhodes remarked that this illustrious association wanted to destroy him, but that be did not mean to allow himself to be destroyed. The Progressive Party in South Africa waa bound to win. His hope waa that the leaders would take the part of leaders, "co that we •hall not have to fight them behind the bushes." If Mr Rhodes conld be judged by his worda, the prospeots are most promising. Unfortunately, men roust be judged not by their talk to deputations, but by their deeds, and Me Rhodes' deeds have given deadly blows to (1) the union of South Africa, (2) equal rights for all white men ■outh of the Zambesi, (3) abrogation of the race fend-— in f*ct>, to all the things he professes to care most about. His example even encourages fighting behind bushes, for that waa exactly what he was doing in the Autumn of 1895. Mr Rhodes later took his Beat in Parliament, only one Dutch member making any signs of protest,

THE FUTURE OF THE TRANSVAAL, The Tim 68 of Sa'arday last contiing •n article on fehe future of tbe Trans va»l by its special correspondent which is to full of wisdom, moderation, •nd statesmanship, that we trait ib will be read and marked by all our

pubic men, joarnaMa's, and members of Parliament. After nobirjg hab "it is known to a certainty th&b seven hundred millions of gold lie hidden in the Transvaal." besides other mineral deposits of enormous value, he points out that ita tine climite and other natural rcsonrsca wilt ensure its prosperity even when the gold is gone. Tbe ro ion that) te Outlanders &re mere birds of passage is absurd. Tae Boars do cob understand this, however, and, nob from ill-will, but from want of knowledge, interfere greatly wibh the gold industry. If, then, Boers *nd Outlanders were always to remain 'he same, we may expect a revival of the difficulties of laeb year. The Boers, however, are gradually getting enlightened, and but for tbe raid would Already have granted some of he Outmuderb' demands. Mr Kruger ts the chief obstacle to reform, bub he cnnob remain in power for many more years. The Oatlanders, again, are improving in quality now thab tbe feverish gold rush is over. They have only to play a waiting game, tnd they must w'n in the end. Such circumstances as the rinderpest fight for them. Sixty thousand catble bave already penshpd, and more musb ultimately be destroyed. But half the Boers live by cattle, and they can only °eb c mpeosa'ion by going to the Outlanders for it. There is nothing to i revent tbe Ontlanders waiting. Their lot is not a desperate one, and bty run no risk of being extermina ed,

A PARNELLITK CONFERENCE. When in doubb call a conference -md found a new association. Tha 1 : appears to be the role on which the Irish pVriob act?. On Tuesday a Parnellite Conference was held in the Mansion Bouse, Dub'in, ab which "an Association of Independent) Nationalists" was formed, with the following objpcts : (1) National self sjovernmenb ; (2) fall civil and religions Hbeity ; (3) independence of ill British parties ; (4) manhood eoff rsge ; (5) redress of Irish financial grievances; (6) amnesty; (7) land Uw reform and the development of Irish rfsourcea. That is, of coarse a programme which has uothiog breabon<ibla or anarchic aboab ib, and no one will obj ct bo the Parnellites attempting to cirry it) out so 1 og as they stick to liwful methods. AC a public meeting in the Rotunda, Mr ReJmond explained that the new Association was intended to include man who stood aloof from the National League. The movement for national independence was at the lowest ebb at the moment, owing, he of coarse inferred, to the policy of •he Anti Parnelli'es A new effort must, however, be made, especially to obtain protection from the shameless acd adm tted robbery of Ireland by Knglacd. Every voe of money mua be made tha occasion for a protest againsb this robbery. This Acb of Union was illegal, and in future Ireland must) not be content merely o ask for the compromise of 1893, bat) must demand repeal. Tbab is a movement whic'j will suio many Irishmen ex»ctly. Ib will save them from the danger of Home Kule, which, when it came near, was greably dreaded by thousands of patriots, and will yeb allow them the luxury of a colosbkl grievance. Mr Redmond clearly knows his countrymen.

THE LEAGUE OF EMPERORS The German Emperor arrived at Vienna on 21st April for ft ebay of bwo d»ya. He was, of coarse, re» ceived by the Austrian Emperor, with whom he had opportunity for conference of some length. The Ausbrian Emperor start* for St 1 . Petsraburgh on 27th April, where he is to be received with Imperial ababe as a most honored guest, These visits have increased the tendency to regard a new league of the three Emperora aa quite probable, though ib may be more or less secretly made. Ib is believed in Germany that WilItam 11. is more eager for an under* standing with Russi*, bat one poinb is lefb entirely nndiscassed. If the three Emperora agreed to combined action in Eastern Europe, which is, of course, the hypothesis of the hour, what is Germany, which has no territorial relation in Turkey, and no 1 ) much direcb interest in her fate, bo receive ? Will she be permitted to absorb Holland on Bavarian terms, and so to acquire at once ships, colonies, and commerce, and a very curious and unusual relation to British South Africa 1

THE RESTLESS BALKANS. Tbe accounts from Bulgaria and Servia ara of interest. It haa alvraya been believed that if fighting began Bulgaria and Servia would both seize the opporbanity to rectify their fron•iera. They both profess entire neutrality and devotion to the cause of peace, bat both are inclined to "b ain all that is immediately prac« ticable. Servia demands relief from Albanian outrages, and Bulgari* requires that the birettaa of Balgarian biihopi in Mftofdonift ihonld be

granted at once. Otherwise, say both *' we B ball be compelled to mobilise." The Sultan will donbtlesi concede all he can, and if the war ia a quiok one the libtle States will remain quiet ; but if it Is not it seems certain their people will insist on action, and that it will not be on the Turkish side. In the Balkans, indeed, where the truth is known, every Christian may be relied on as a deadly foe to Turkey. The two States together control a hundred thousand men, but of course Aastria and Knasian do their atmost to keep them quiet, dreading always that they may be compelled to inter* fere, and interfering may quarrel. Note as a fact which may be of importance that a Balkan federation, including Roamania, Servis, Bui garia, Macedonia, and Greece, bat not incinding Bosnia and Montenegro, wou'd dispose of three handled and fifty thousand troops, of whom half at least would be very fair soldieis, The Imperial Powers do not forget that!,

AN OUTSPOKEN KING. King George of Greece baa been interviewed by a correspondent of the Paris Journal, and has made atataments, soma of which are noteworthy from their outspokenness. He denies i that either Greece or Turkey has resolved on war, and intimates that; its oatbreak is doe to intrigues which will be revealed later on " Orders were received to attack us," all the Powers " being against us, particularly certain nations." The King rather sharply affirmed that Europe having driven him to war there could be no question of localising it, Hellenism now recognises that ib ctusb either conqnor or resign iteelf todisap^ pearing. Wo have courage enough to defend our rights." Nations do not disappear ; but the King's reliance upon aggregate Hellenism, and his bblief bhat) be can avoid localising the war, are not a little curious. The King is only Greek by adoption ; being a German Dane by birth ; he is a man of sense, and be has in the whole of these transactions shown great nerve, and perfect devotion to the country which elected him ; but we fear he is at present deceiving himself with hopes.