NEWS BY CABLE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 312, 13 April 1878, Page 10

NEWS BY CABLE.

(REUTER'S SPECIAL TO PRESS AGENCY.) London, April 4. The Budget shows an expenditure, of £81,000,000, leaving an ordinary deficit of one and a half millions ; extraordinary, £5,300,000, whereof £2,000,000 is to be left to next year, Twopence increase in the income tax is proposed, fourpence on tobacco and 2s. 6d. dog tax. Official despatches show that Russia is treating Roumania imperiously. Russia refuses to discuss the Congress question with Bessarabia. Berlin, April 4. Germany refuses to enter the European Peace Congress without England. The past year’s deficit of £2,640,000 for the coming year will be partly covered by £1,560,000 worth of exchequer bonds, and the extraordinary expenditure is to be covered by an increase of the dog-tax, an increase of twopence in the income-tax, and an addition of fourpence to the tobacco duty. April 5. Consols, 94§ ; rates of discount and prices of securities unchanged. Adelaide wheat, 595. to 615.; flour, 40s. to 445. The woo sales closed with 230,000 bales catalogued ; 37,000 bales were held over.. April 6.

The British Ambassador at St. Petersburg reports that if the cession of Bessarabia is resisted Russia will take forcible steps and disarm the Roumanian army. St. Petersburg, April 5.

It is semi-officially stated that England merely proffers objections, but if she made definite proposals Russia would endeavor to make them the basis of an agreement. London (Undated). Fighting at the Cape has been renewed, and the news is described as serious. Details are wanting. Telegrams from the Continent of Europe indicate that there are no signs of Russia yielding. There is increasing irritation on the part of Roumania against Russia. 1 April 6.

The panic on the Stock Exchange continues. The bank reserve is ten and a-half millions. The stock markets are recovering. Consols, 94g. Australian securities continue depressed. Much langour was shown in the concluding day’s wool sales. Corn market unchanged. Adelaide wheat in good demand, 625. 6d. St. Petersburg, April 6. Prince Charles of Roumania has informed Prince Gortschakoff that the Roumanian army may be crushed but will never be disarmed. Constantinople, April 6. The Russian forces have received orders to embark at Bojukdere. London, April 7. The ironclad Triumph will reinforce the Pacific squadron, the Penelope the Mediterranean fleet. The Kaffir news is disquieting. Singapore, April 8. The Turkish troops reoccupy Bojukdere. Russia negotiates another loan. The Russian Press says that Russia’s dignity forbids compliance with the demands of England. London, April 8. In the debate on the royal message calling out the reserves, the Premier made a powerful speech. He said there was a tremendous change in the East, imperilling the Empire, whereof the Ministry trusted the justice of British demands would be admitted. by Europe. He concluded by a glowing eulogium on the greatness of the Empire. Northcote’s speech in the Commons was moderate and firm. There is no real opposition, and the Government is sure of a majority. It is expected at Berlin that Russia will yield. Everything depends on Austria, and it is believed that she adheres to England. In the debate in the Italian Chambers a strong anti-Russian feeling prevailed. London, April 9.

Disraeli, in the House of Lords, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the Commons, moved an address to the Crown, thanking the Queen for calling out the reserves. Disraeli, in referring to England’s Eastern policy, said it was based on England’s interests in the East. He powerfully criticised the treaty, and said it was not binding, because it had been negotiated secretly. Every article deviated from the treaties of 1856 and 1871. It subordinated European and Asiatic Turkey to Russia. By it the British Empire was imperilled ; England’s road to Asia might be closed; and it was resolved, as a necessary precaution, to call out the reserves, which would furnish 70,000 men. If England engaged in a great war, her forces would be largely increased, and an immense revolution in her army effected. The liberty of Europe was imperilled, and the British Empire must be maintained in its integrity. Earl Granville left the responsibility with the Government, and the Lords agreed to the motion without a division. In the Commons the debate was adjourned. London, April 10. Prince Gortchakoff’s reply to Lord Salisbury suggests that England should formulate practical proposals affording a basis of agreement for peace. Constantinople, April 9. It is stated that Russia has abandoned her intention of embarking the troops at Bojnkdere for home. The Russian military authorities declare that the Imperial Guard must remain in the neighborhood of Stamboul so long as the British fleet continues in the Sea of Marmora

It is generally thought that the Powers may yot negotiate amicably. Washington, April 10.

A Congress man, Mr. Davis, and Senator Sargeant spoke at considerable length in the House and Senate on the Chinese question. Both presented strong arguments against the

Chinese, and suggested a heavy capitation tax to restrict further immigration. Mr. Davis cited the example and experience of the Australian colonies, where, he said, a capitation tax proved the most feasible plan. An appropriation of the tax to send indigent Chinese back to their own country would, he said, bring the measure within the provisions of the Burlinghame Treaty. Singapore, April 11. The reply from Gortchakoff is considered unagressive. England’s objection to the effect of the treaty is unanswered. Hopes of a pacific settlement continue. SPECIAL TO MELBOURNE ARGUS. London, April 11.

Prince Gortchakoff’s reply to England has been received. His language is moderate. He denies that Russia is seeking ascendancy in Bulgaria.- He says that the indemnity demanded is less than the losses actually sustained by Russia. He maintains that the existing treaties are virtually dormant. He inquires if England will make counter proposals, with the view of arranging for definite peace. The Russian circular is regarded as conciliatory. The reply to the address in the House of Commons was carried by 319 to 64. From rumours received from the Cape, it is feared that a whole English regiment has been lost. This report, however, lacks confirmation. Official circles are uneasy. The Oxford crew are the favorites for the University boat race. London, April 10.

In replying to a memo, presented by Victorian colonists regarding the crisis, Sir M. Hicks-Beach read a telegram from Governor Bowen stating that the crisis bad ended, that trade was reviving and political animosities subsiding. Sir M. Hicks-Beach remarked that even if the Governor made mistakes it was not perhaps wise to discuss his conduct now that the crisis was over. He promised to go carefully into the question of paying on the votes of the Assembly merely, and would give the Governor instructions for his future guidance. AUSTRALIAN NEWS. Sydney, Friday. Case brandy is unchanged; quarters, 9s 3d., scarce. Kerosene is unchanged. Rice, £23 10s. to £24. New Zealand wheat unchanged. New Zealand oats, 4s. Tobacco, sugar, and candles are unchanged. Sydney, Monday. Arrived : Rotorua. Sydney, Wednesday. A motion has been carried in the Legislalative Assembly in favor of printing a “ Parliamentary Hansard.” Sailed —Rotorua. Sydney, Thursday. During last year the number of sheep in the colony decreased 3,748,093 in consequence of the drought. Melbourne, Monday. Judge Fellows died this evening at six o’clock. The Cabinet and Executive Council met to-day, when the speech of his Excellency on the prorogation of Parliament, which takes place to-morrow, was considered and adopted. Melbourne, Tuesday. The Governor has prorogued Parliament to the 21st of May in a brief speech, mentioning that Ministers will forthwith prepare a measure to alter the constitution statute. After the prorogation to-day the Speaker, preceded by the Sergeant-at-Arms bearing the mace, attended by the Clerks, of the Assembly, and accompanied by the Ministry and many members, proceeded to the Governor’s chambers at the Treasury and presented the address. The Governor made a suitable reply expressing his thanks. Arrived —Tararua. Melbourne, Thursday. Sir Bryan O’Loghlen had a majority over Mr. Francis of 110 for West Melbourne. Adelaide, Friday. Flour, £l2 10s. and £l3 10s; wheat, os. lid. Port Darwin, Monday, The ship Matterhorn and barque Carleton were lost on Browse Island. The captain and fifteen men of the Matterhorn were drowned ; also four men of the barque Flora who went to their assistance.