CABLE ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7646, 25 May 1886, Page 5

CABLE ITEMS.

The following cable messages have appeared in the Melbourne Ago :— THE PACIFIC ISLANDS. In the House of Commons, Mr. Campbell has notified hie intention to ask the Government whether they propose to take* any action in reference to the recent misunderstanding arising with foreign Powers consequent on claims by Australia to the monopoly of islands in the South Pacific. The Hon. Mr. Gladstone has promised to give full consideration to the desire expressed at a meeting of the Federal Council which was held at Hobart in January last, to the effect that no foreign Power should be allowed to interfere with islands in the South Pacific. GENERAL ROBERTS AND ULSTER, It is rumoured that, in consequence of the disquieting attitudo of Loyalists in Ulster, and the resolute determination they exhibit to oppose the introduction of Home Role in Ireland, General Roberts, Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, has been ordered to proceed to the disturbed province, in order to suppress any outbreak that occurs. L.ORD wolselby and HOME role. The reply given by Mr. Campbell Bannerman, Secretary of State of War, to a question asked in the House of Commons on Friday, relative to the truthfulness of the rumonr that Lord Wolaeley had declared his intention to resign his position in the event of the Home Kule Bill being passed, with a view to assisting Irish Protestants to resist the introduction of Home Rule in Ireland, is regarded as unsatisfactory. Much surprise is expressed at the evasiveness of Mr. answer to the question, which was expected to evoke a direct denial. FRANCE AND THE NEW HEBRIDES. The tone of the French Press is very hostile towards England in consequence of the reports that the English Government refused to cede New Hebrides to France. Several leading journals advocate that France should seize the island. The Ebglish Government is accused of having shown great weakness throughout the negotiations, and some journals are ridiculing the idea of the British Cabinet consulting the colonies before coming to a decision on the sabjec.'.