SUMMARY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7023, 11 January 1910, Page 1

SUMMARY

Thu English elections commence on; Saturday next, -when polls will bo taken in sixty-seven borou^'liß. Mr John Burns advocates pliyment of lAPjiibers and tlicir ek-ction expenses, iMlult eiiifrago tor men and women, shorter Parliaments, and an eight-hom day. ilr Bonor Law, at Ouml>crwell, said that whilo the -British fleet had been dispersed, Germany's had Seen.concentrated in the North Sea, Und it she truLned command of the Channel, her Army could strike .England a fatal blow.

Mr Austen Chamberlain, at Bast Birjnm"!iam, said the -colonies were not discouraged at tho Liberals' rejection of offers of preference, Ij-ttt Britain must idecido cm her courso very soon.

If Imperial commercial union were discouraged, the result would be that foreign countries would secure .improved ■trade relations with tho British oversea lands.

German newspapers of all shades of opinion ore unaninioiwly assailing the Conservatives, and heaping vituperation upon Mr Balfour for his references to Germany'in his Hanley speech. The Berlin "f-'reisinnifco Zflitung," discussing tho English elections and tariff prospects declares that foreign countries have a powerful word to say in th-j matter, and asks, Would, other countries remain silent if a <!uty free market weie opened to the. colonies in London? The profits of the London tramways la&t year amounted to i'645,000. Mr Charles Waters, founder of the International Bible-reading Association., is dead.

The Orient mail steamer Otranto ran into a hurricane off Gibmltar, several of her lifeboats being shifted.

The steamer Wa,kefiold will leave Durban at the end of January, and will mako a close search for tho Waa-atah .about the Marion, C'rozet, fljul.Kersuelen Islands, and between the latter and the Australian coast.

The Melbourne committee promoting the .search proposes to extend the Wakefiald's cruise, for which .English relatives of the Waratail's pasioiigers are guaranteeing .£201)0. Five hundred deaths have resulted frocr malaria on tho plantations near liatavia.

The Canadian, revenue for the pus I nine months shows an increase of 11,U(J0,0U0 dollars as compared with the eame period of 1908.

Owing to the apathy of the municipality of Montreal in. regard to the ty. phoid epidemic, the citizens have or* ganised an emergency hospitul. Lord ittratheona has given .£301)0 towards the. hospital, and promised .£2OOO to a sanu tation fund. A Federal Grand Jury at New York had returned indictments against ]SO Members of the IVi>erboard Mamifao turera' Association for forming a combination to restrict trade.

Lord Kitchener's inspection of Sydney';, defences included a trip round the harbour by night to see the working of the oleotric searchlights at the various forts. By some accident the lights failed to work.

The rield-llarshal is said to haw been surprised that there waa no fort on the North Head, pointing out that An enemy landing there could take guns ashore and turn them on the city. Yesterday Lord Kitchener left for Litbgow to inspect the site of the small arms factory, and after that he goes to Melbourne.

At a mass meeting of Newcastle miners, strong speeches woro made aguinst Mr Wade's nerc Aot, and the prosecution of the union leaders.

The Dean of Newcastle, amid a, storm of interruption, protested , that the speakers did not represent the thinking portion of the people of the district. Such speeches justified the Government iu taking 'action.

Ihe Compulsory Wages Board mot again at Newcastle yesterday. Mr Bowling _ raised the question of the board's jurisdiction, and tlio chairman ruled it was competent to deal with the dispute.

Mr Bowling then secured an adjournment tall the aitta inst.,. to enable the Minors' Federation to consider the position.

Seventeen immigrants, recently arrived in-Sydney from India, complain; thutthey havi» been misled by rosy promises or better conditions, which have not vet been realised. Several of the immigrants nro now penniless.

In the cricket match against NeoSouth 'Wales, South Australia made 207 in the first innings. The homo men, who had 92 on for their first strike, made 2b9 m the second .

The Victorian Government is throwine t>pen 100,000 'acres of the Mallee lands for settlement—enough for 150 homes.

Arnst's terms for «, match with Pea-rce oa the Swim river for the world's sculling championship (,£SOO aside, half the Kate, and .1:150 expenses) are considered too high.

The North Island Bowling Association's annual tournament was commenced in Wellington yesterday. Ilio Plunkot Shield cricket match between Canterbury and Auckland was won by Auckland by seven wickets.

Tho Wellington Swimming Centre, being dissatisfied _ regarding the allocation of the championship meeting by the New ZeaJand Swimming Association, has decided not to nominate candidates for the coming championships at Auclland.

Messrs Fache, Mason and Dixon are to -represent New Zealand at the conference in Sydney this month to consider proposed alterations in the laws of the game of Uugby football.

Duncdiu football people are dissatisfied :i-t tho selection of delegates, urging that those appointed are against any changes in tho rules.