SUMMARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6325, 27 September 1907, Page 1

SUMMARY.

The Anglo-Rnssian Convention pra vides that Afghanistan shall be maintain* ed as a buffer State. "The Times" remarks that whatever civilisation the Persian Gulf country possesses it owes to Britain, Therefore the Government has rendered a service to the Empire by its determination to preserve present conditions.

Press comment in Britain, Prance, and Russia is reported to be generally couched in terms favourable to the agreement. Sir Edward Grey, in a despatch to the British Minister at St. Petersburg, says that the Convention. contains nothing definite regarding interests in tho Persian Gulf.

The ship Port Jackson is sailing from England for Australia iu October with twenty-four cadets and fifty AVarspito boys for training as (ordinary seamen. •■'The Times” says that, a sub-commit-tee of the Peace Conference has declared it impossible to reach a settlement on the question of contraband. Britain is proposing a convention by which States agreeing with her shall only exercise the 1 right of search in order to establish the neutral character of ships. Goold now alleges that the murder of Mrs Levin'at Monte Carlo was premeditated, and that his wife took a leading part in the crime. ‘ The "North German Gazette” warmly appreciates the action of Capo Colony iu bringing the career of the outlaw Mt>renga to an end, thus fully illustrating Great Britain’s policy of fair play. Professor Dclage, of Paris, after five years’ experiments, claims to have obtained living animalcule from sterile eggs of the sea hedgehog and,starfish. In regard to the Persian frontier troubles, tho Russian Legation at Toheran deemed it j ecessarv to warn the Persian National Assembly to take steps to restore order on the frontier;

The Assembly replied that similar disorders had occurred ii> the Caucasus and at Baku, and as a consequence suffering was caused to Persian subjects.

General Botha favours the unification rather than tho confederation of th« South Arican Colonies, with the creation of one Parliament for the whole. Complaints are made by the French in Morocco of ■wholesale’ tipaiush and German shipments of arms and ammunition into the country. '

' An earthquake i caused considerable damage to the city of Guatemala, many houses and public buildings suffering. The Newfoundland Government has issued instructions practically rendering Imperial action in fisheries question useless. It proposes to j>lace matters on the same footing as they were before 1905. This has been followed by the issue of an Imperial Ordcr-in-Council giving legal effect to the modus vivendi , for the present season. > ;

It is reported that the United States Naval Board has decided to construct four battleships of greater tonnage and superior armaments to the Dreadnought* to replace the fleet sent to. the Pacific.

The American ship John Currier has been wrecked at Bristol Bay, Alaska. The revenue cutter Thetis rescued *243 survivors, and conveyed them to SeatTie. , " ' ■ ■

The municipalitr of Kingston. Jamaica, has agreed to an -amendment to the Pauper Alien Immigration law, in, order to prohibit the entrance of undesirables, aiming especially at Chinese and Syrians.

Correspondence proceeding m tha London ’Times” deprecates the influence exerted on the Australian Government by the Labour party when framing the new tariff.

‘•The Federal Premier had shed'hi* Imperialistic ideals,” remarks one writer ‘‘and tariff reform in Australia was onlv a stalking horse 1 for Protection, buttered with Socialism.

He also remarks that Mr Deakin appears to be the bondsman of the Labour party.,

. Another correspondent ridicules the idea of Labour imposing the tariff on Mr Deakin, and- contends that a policy which the bulk of Australia support* must have something to say for itsell. Tiro seamen belonging to the flagship Powerful deserted by jumping overboard at Fremantle. One reached the shore safely, but the other was drowned. The Bank of. Australasia’s Balance, shoot shows deposits totalling cash securities, .£7,465,102; bills, <£ls*. 840.660.

The Presbyterian Assembly at Adolaide directed the Moderator te issue a pastoral dealing with the birth-rate problem, and warning people against the use of preventives.

There is a probability of an attempt being made to motor across Australia from Adelaide to Port Darwin.

Dominion Day was celebrated with enthusiasm throughout New Zealand yesterday.

Tho Right Hon. the Premier read th* proclamation from the eteps of Parliament Buildings.

A congratulatory message from Kin, Edward was read

His Excellency the Governor gave a Parliamentary luncheon, and lord and Lady Pluuket received about two thou sand guests later in the afternoon.

A great popular gathering/’ book nlare at Newtown Park, where - the King a colours, were presented and consecrated, and patriotic speeches delivered.

The city was illuminated in the evening, and a torchlight procession was held. A gathering in the Town Hall was Attended by about three thousand five hundred* pemons.

Sir Jooenh Ward received messages of congratulation from political heads in various parts of the Empire.

The spring meetintr of the Wanganui Jockey Club opened at Wanganui yesterday.