LATE CABLE NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1189, 14 December 1894, Page 15

LATE CABLE NEWS.

London, December 12. Lord Eosebery, speaking at Devonport, said the Government would proceed with the work of the session in spite of the attitude of the House of Lords. The issue at the next general election would be simply whether the people were to be governed by the House of Lords or by themselves. He declaimed any idea of reforming the Upper House, and said the absolute veto possessed by that Chamber must cease. The British Parliament meets on February sth. St. John’s, December 12. The Government is applying for Imperial assistance in the financial -panic. There is a lack- of cash owing to the crisis, and fish valued at half a million is lying rotting in the stores unsaleable. St. Petersburg, December 11. The Eothschilds have consented to float the Eussian loan of 15£ millions on the express assurance that the persecution of Jews in Eussian territory shall cease. Paris, December 11. A force of 700 French troops has arrived in Madagascar. Paris, December 12. The Tariff Committee has pronounced in favour of a sliding scale of import duties on cereals, wines and cattle. Berlin, December 12. Prince Hohenlohe, the German Chancellor, addressing the Eeichstag, said the navy must be strengthened, in order that the colonial policy of the Empire should be maintained. Melbourne, December 12. The Premier, in moving the second reading of the Land and Income Tax Bill, said he thought as the principle had already been approved they should pass the second reading without a division. Sir James Patterson objected to the Bill as containing the very important new feature of taxing a man’s principal instead of his profit. The debate was adjourned.

At the annual meeting of the National Mutual Life Association, a satisfactory report was presented and adopted. Adelaide, December 12. The committee set up to enquire into the unemployed difficulty has submitted its final report, in which various causes for the existing depression are enumerated, and certain remedies are suggested. The more practical amongst the latter are liberal pastoral legislation, encouragement of rural industries, moderate expenditure in assisting mining, encouragement of small holdings, a moderate public works policy, and just Labour legislation. In order to relieve the immediate distress the committee recommends the Government to give temporary relief in return for an adequate amount of reproductive labour, and to establish Labour Bureaux throughout the colony. In conclusion, the committee considers that the true remedy for the unemployed question will be found in better prices and sound legislation. Sydney, December 12. In the Legislative Assembly, the Premier, replying to a question, stated that he had received a copy of the treaty between England and Japan. The Government were considering what action, if any, they would take, as the matter was one which affected all the colonies. The three-masted schooner Thistle has been totally wrecked at the Solomon Group. The crew only reached shore after considerable difficulty. The vessel was insured for £BOO in the South British office.

In Committee of Supply tlie vote appearing- on the Estimates- for the constitution of the Conciliation Board was struck out by 45 votes to 37. This practically abolishes the Board. The miners working- at the Newcastle Mining Company’s pits have rejected the proposal to accept a reduction in the hewing rate to 2s lOd. This decision on the part of the men compels the directors of the Company to refuse a contract they had secured for the supply of between 60,000 and 100,000 tons of coal at 7s 2d. A correspondent writing to the Sydney Morning Herald suggests that the Sydney shareholders of the Bank of New Zealand should meet to discuss the call. Perth, December 12. Mr Wittenoom has accepted the vacant portfolio of Colonial Secretary.