LATE CABLE NEWS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8991, 16 May 1890, Page 5

LATE CABLE NEWS

ttViSLKJTRIO TELEGRAPH. —COPYRIGHT.

{PUR PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

(Received May 15, 8.20 p.m.) THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE. London, May 14. The governing body of the Imperial Institute of the United Kingdom, the and India will consist of 18 members nominated by Her Majesty five ex officio, 20 •elected by the United Kingdom, four •elected by Ireland, 26 appointed by the various societies, 36 appointed by ■*the colonies, and 15 appointed by India. THE MILITARY FORCES OF AUSTRALIA. At the Royal Colonial Institute, 'Lieutenant-Colonel J. F. Owen, of the 'Royal Artillery, read a paper on the military forces of Australia. These, he said, consisted of 83,000 men, with •150 guns, and the Australian militia surpassed that of England. He considered tliat combined, action of the Australian forces was a necessity. Sir Charles Dilke referred to Australia as the safest part of the Empire, and relatively the best prepared, for -war. The Westport coal mines, lie thought, ought to be defended. Colonel Brackenbory considered ■that neither France nor Kuss:a was bkely to use the Pacific as a basis for a serious attack on Australian forts, -and also that Zalinski guns and Brennan torpedoes were not necessary at Melbourne. Attacks by small cruisers ’Was the only danger Australia had to fear, and a first rate federal army was the beat means of protection. Admiral Tryon thought the land • defences of Australia necessary, and fit present they were in excellent condition. ROBBERY OP BONDS. Paris, May 14 Coupons valued at 18,000 francs ihave been stolen from the Minister of Finance. A CITY IN DARKNESS. Hamburg, May 14 Owing to a strike among the gas •employes this city was in darkness last night, but it has now baen arranged for a restoration of the light. AFRICAN”ITEMS. Zanzibar, May Id Major Wissman has captured Lundi, One fourth of Emin Pasha's forces •at Bagamoyo are either dead or have deserted. H. M. STANLEY. London, May 14 The freedom of the city of London has been conferred on H. M. Stanley. BANQUET TO LORD HARLINGTON. One hundred members of the Unionist party have entertained the Marquis of “ Ha’rtington at a banquet the Crystal Palace. THE SEPARATION OF QUEENSLAND. The Pall Mall Gazette, comment-' ing on the agitation for the eepara-. tion of Northern Queensland, states that the interests of that portion of the colony are undoubtedly neglected by the Southern Government, 1 The St James’ Gazette considers that the North cannot separate until the details are arranged, without sacrificing other interests. THE CABLB'tARIFP.

The Agents-General and representatives of 'the Cable Companies have discussed the tariff proposals. The questions considered were a reduction in the rates and the desirableness of reducing' the term of guarantee from eleven years, to one year, and increasing the Companies’ share of risk from a quarter to a half, the Governments taking the other half. The proposed tariff is ; 5s per word for messages sent by the public, 4b 5d per word for Government messages, and la 2d per word for press messages. No decision is yet arrived at, but the Companies' are endeavouring to meet the Colonial. Governments on the above basis, and beginning the ■reduction at an early date.. (Received May 16, 1.25 ft.m.) London, May 14. > - Sir John Pender has officially notified. the Agents-Geaeral that the cable corapaniesjate willing to test the effect of a cheap tarfffor one year by reducing the charge to 5s per . word from ,the' Ist of January; ,next and accepting half- the risk of the loss, on condition that the colonial Governments guarantee the other half. If the work responds to the reduction, tlie companies and the vernments'might agree to extend the period, but the guarantee is to terminate at the end of a year, and the companies are to revert to a tariff not exceeding eight shillings per word, provided such rate gave the companies the same revenue as they at present' received with a 3s tariff. If the traffic increased by 25 per cent, the colonies would have to make up L 40.000 ; if ah increase of 50 per cent, L 25,000 ; and if 75 per cent, increase, LIO,OOO only, which, distributed over all the colonies, would represent quite a nominal liability. An increase of 92 per cent, in the work would extinguish the guarantee. (Received May 15, 8.20 p.m.) COMMIEGIAL AND SHIPPING. London, May 14. The Dunedin and Suburban Gns Company, with a capital of L 45,000, has been registered. Sydney, May 15. q lie following are the current quetativiis for the principal silver mining

shares; Broken Hill proprietary, LIS 6s ; British, L 3 13a; Central, LlO 18s 6d ; North, LI 4s; South, L 6 17s 6d ; Block No. 14, L 6 3d ; Block No. 10, LlO 9s ; Junctions, L 5 7p. . Sailed —Maori Kinsr, &-8.,. for the Bluff.