CABLE NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1683, 1 June 1904, Page 31

CABLE NEWS.

LONDON, May 29. In the course of his speech at the banquet tendered to him by the Australian Mercantile Organisation. Mr W. H. Irvine late Premier of Victoria, said the underlying feeling prompting the demand for a “white” Australia was the determination that no alien inferior race should ever acquire a dominating influence in the destinies .of the continent! Therefore, Australians at least deserved the sympathy of their kinsfolk, response- to urgent requests to ex-

press his opinion on the fiscal question, Mr Irvine, though personally a freetrader, felt it right to say that the vast majority of Australians were in hearty and thorough accord with Mr Chamberlain’s proposals, though it was doubtful if they fully understood their precise effects. Many considered that there wero wider issues involved than” any fiscal question, many realised that Australia was gradually getting further away in interests and political developments from the country of their origin, and were getting to live their own life. He was doubtful if the ties of sentiment possessed the degree of permanence necessary to bind the great Empire; therefore he hoped that either fiscal or closer constitutional means would be found to draw the colonies and the vf 4ierland together, the colonies contributing a larger and fairer share of L he burden of defence, and receiving a large voic9 in the control of the Empire. Without wishing to suggest that there were difficulties ahead, Mr Irvine continued, thoughtful men were able to conjecture as a result of the war the formation of a great dominant Mongolian Power in the Far East. If so, circumstances might arise considerably jeopardising the maintenance of British supremacy in the Australasias. It was only right to regard possible future troubles, since it was safer to face them as a united Empire. LONDON. May 30. The Joughen, of Shigatse, commanding the Thibetan fort at Cyangtse, lias recalled all outlying posts, fearing British raids on neighbouring villages. Five hundred are evacuating Niani Monastery, the British hr the monastery unfit for military occupation. The fort furiously but fruitlessly fired on the British while returning to camp. Gommunication with the rear has been reopened. Few newspapers support the report of the Duke of Norfolk’s Royal Commission of inquiry into the militia and volunteer system. Tho papers consider the report shows a bias in favour of conscription, while it disregards naval protection. "NEW YORK, May 29. President Roosevelt and Colonel Hay, Secretary of Slate, have decided that it is impossible to force the Sultan of Morocco to accede to the terms demanded by Raisuli. chief of a band of brigands, who captured an American millionaire named Perdicans and his son-in-law (an Englishman), and demands a heavy ransom. In addition to a ransom. Raisuli demands that the Sultan shall'-withdraw his forces from the Tangier province, leaving Raisuli control of the district. Four American cruisers and two gunboats aro proceeding to Tangier. CAPETOWN, May 30. Lord Milner, addressing tiie Johannesburg branch of the Navy League, said he hoped when self-government was conceded, the Transvaal would make a large contribution and demand- a voice in the control of the navy. He hoped all parts of the Empire would contribute to create an Imperial Navy. Personally, he was an Imperialist, and prepared to see a Federal Council. sitting at Ottawa, Sydney and South Africa, provided the British people held together. SYDNEY, May 30. Parliament has prorogued to June 14tli. As it expires by effluxion of time on July 16th, the Government has decided' not to assemble again before the elections. The barque West Australia, with a cargo of Westport coal, while going alongside the flagship Euryalus, collided with her owing to the breaking of a tow-line. The barque had her foreyard carried away. Tho flagship suffered no injury. The captain of the steamer Workfield, which grounded at North Head last week and was floated off, was to-day fined £ls for going down the harbour without a pilot and £3O for overloading. At Homebush sales to-day prices for sheop were steady. Best wethers 19s 6d to 22s lOd, good 17s lOd; host ewes 20s 9d, good 17s 3d. Cattle fetched improved prices. Best bullocks £lO 10s, good £9 ss; best cows per 1001 b. MELBOURNE, May 30. McLellau, who was arrested at Kerrisdale on a charge of murdering his wife and child, has handed to the police a letter purporting to have been written by his wife. The letter had been torn up and the pieces pasted togotiiei. 1 ie writer stated that she intended doing away with herself. A second letter, addressed to an unnamed friend, lias also been handed to the police, stating that she was in pain and misery, and bidding tho friend an affectionate good-bye. Experts believe the letters are genuine. John McGee, brewery manager, has filed his schedule. His liabilities amount to £53,000 and assets £22,000. The Methodist Conference is discussing a motion by Mr Morley that the Conference resolves that an actuarial basis be maintained for the whole supernumerary fund. There is an amendment by the Rev Carruthers (New South Wales) that the ministers’ branch be administered on actuarial principles and the auxiliary branch on a non-actuarial basis. NOUMEA, May 30. The Consul-General held a tumultuous sitting on Friday. The .Governor's" laws

dealing with the mines were rejected by nineHo seven. The Governor dissolved the Assembly next day. The new elections will take place on June 19th.