PARLIAMENTARY AND GENERAL ENGLISH NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 2254, 17 April 1871, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY AND GENERAL ENGLISH NEWS.

London", March 2.—The resignation of Childers, of the oflice of First Lord of Admiralty, is again reported. The report is accompanied by a statement that Earl Kiinberley succeeds Childers, and that Chichester Fortesquo assumes the duties of Minister for the Colonies, made vacuut by the transfer of Kimberley. In the House of Commons, on Friday night, Sir Robert Peel stigmatised Lord Lyons' course ns ungenerous and cowardly, iu deserting the British population in Puris during the siege, when he was entreated by the French Government, to remain. He (Peel) extolled the courageous behaviour of Washburne, the American Minister. Viscount Enfield and Gladstone defended Lord Lyons. London, March 6.—ln the House of Lords this evening, the Marquis of Salisbury attacked the foreign policy of the Government, showing that foreign powers were all contemptuous in llit'ir manner towards England. Prussia had declined .England's aid in negotiating peace with France, and .Russia had repudiated her obligations solemnly agreed to at the end of the Crimean war. These insults he placed iu coutrast with the guarantees which England was party to, and therefrom he deduced the decay of her influence. He urged the re organisation of the army. To its weakness he attributed much of h'nglanri's loss of prestige. Earl Granville protested against the unreasonableness of the assault made on the Government's conduct on foreign affairs. He quoted a distinguished American oilicer, who expressed surprise at the complete state of preparation for war in which he found the British Navy. London, March 7.—The Posi learns that the prospect of the settlement of all matters of dispute between the Uuilucl States and England by the High Commission at Washington is very promising. There is an evident disposition to the trial uf all topics with fairness ; discussions will first take place upon the fisheries, and afterwards upon the Alabama claims. London, March 7. —The Timet announces that Gosehen succeeds Childers as First Lord of the Admiralty ; St.ansfield succeeds Goschcn as President of'the foor Law Board; Baxter succeeds Stansfielil as one of the Secretaries of the Treasury, and Lefevre succeeds Baxter as Secretary of the Admiralty.