LATE ENGLISH NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1313, 22 June 1880, Page 2

LATE ENGLISH NEWS.

(SPECIAL TO SYDNEY PAPERS.) Lojtdon, June 9,

Mr, A. F. Halcombe delivered an address before the Colonial Institute on New Zealand. There was an unusually large attendance, and Sir E. W. Stafford, Sir Charles Clifford, Mr. Broomhall, and others took part in the discussion.; The Sultan of Turkey has again changed his advisers, and has appointed Radri Pasha his Premier and Abiden Pasha his Grand "Vizier. The Morning Post, in an article review? ing the policy of the Service Ministry in Victoria, considers that it promises' Stability to the Cabinet and permanent benefit to the Colony, , . June 10. ; Changes have taken place in Stamboul which indicate that the British Ambassador's mission has been successful. : It has been ascertained that the cost of .the Afghan war is L 20,000,000. The announcement of the English, French, and Italian men-of-war fleets having sailed for Bessica Bay is causing much excitement. The Albanians are disbanding their troops, and further hostilities are ajvejpied. It is expected that Turkish tro&ps will re-occupy the district ceded to Montenegro.

The Chilians had a desperate battle to capture the town of Arica, and got the best of the engagement, after enormous losses on both sides. June 11. The wine duties have been reduced, and now stand at 6d per gallon up to 20 degrees proof, and spirits from 22 degrees up to 35 degrees proof ; spirits Id extra for each degree of strength, and over 35 degrees 2-|d for each degree; bottled wines are charged 2s per gallon uniform. June 15. In view of the renewal of a scene which occurred in the House of Commons last night, Mr. O'Donnell agreed to amend the question in reference to the propriety of the acceptance- of M. de Lancour as the French Ambassador. Intense anxiety exists its to how the Government will act. Mr. O'Donnell is a Catholic, and alleges that M. de Laiicour plundered the convent and ordered the massacre by the troops at Lyons during the Commune. All parties censure Mr. O'Donnell's policy, and the Press condemn Mr. Gladstone's haste in attempting to prevent Mr. O'Donnell's motion for adjournment to be used Jto attack M. de Lancour and threatening the rights of private members; but they take it as a sign that the Premier is determined to suppress obstruction. The Times shows that Mr. Gladstone, at the last moment, was compelled to revise the wine tariff in order to secure the French treaty. ' June 16.

In the French Senate, M. Tirard, Minister of Commerce arid Agriculture, denied that France had engaged with England in a fresh treaty, and referred to the proposal made'by Mr. Gladstone as being contrary to French interests Ifc is stated that the whole staff of the French Einbassy have resigned, in consequence of the appointment of M. Lancour as French Ambassador in London.

in the' House of Commons to-night, Mr. Baxter referred to the superior speed of the Orient Company's steamers over the steamers of the Peninsular and Oriental Company. Mr. Fawcett said that the Government were not responsible for the existing contract. News has been received that the Chinese are preventing foreign subjects from entering China. . Berlin, June 15.

The Representatives of the Great Powers appointed by the Conference have held several meetings of a preliminary .character.' - It is understood that a complete understanding will be come to at an early date as to the steps to be taken for the settlement of the various questions submitted, and insisting upon an early compliance by Turkey with the demands of the Powers.