HOME AND FOREIGN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIV, Issue 7499, 24 April 1899, Page 1

HOME AND FOREIGN NEWS.

(By Eleotbio Telegraph—Copyright. ) (P»R UNITED PEKBS ABSOCEASIG.X. Received April 23, at 4.35 p.m. London. April 22. Sir M. Hicks-Beach will receive a deputation of Agents-General on the subject of the colonial wine duties next Tuesday. The North British and New Zealand Investment Company's balance-sheet shows a profit of L 1823. A dividend of 2£ per cent, was recommended, and L 431 carried forward. ~ , ~ The ioint committee on the union or the Free and United Presbyterian Churches has decided to leave to the Assembly ana Synod of the two Churches respectively the task of dealing with the act of union at the meeting in 1901. Received April 22, at 4.40 p.m London, April 22.

In the House of Commons .Sir M. HicksBeach sail that the exemption of colonial wines would involve, on the presant consumption, a loss of L 20,000 yearly. feared that the preferential treatment ot colonial wines would result in foreign wines being shipped to the colonies and re-exported to Great Britain, thus largely increasing the '° 3B, Pekin, April 22. Great Britain has complained that China was evading every essential conditions of the northern railway agreement, and representations have been made to the Tsung-li-Yamen to fulfil the Government guarantee. Ihe Yamen, in replying, renewed the usual promise.

Feceived April 24, at 0.15 a.m. London, April 24,

Reuter's New York correspondent states that J. B. Coglan, captain of the American cruiser Raleigh, speaking at New York, declared that prior to the Americans capturing Manila, Admiral Dewey warned RearAdmiral Von Died rich?, commander of the German squadron at the Philippines, that a continuance of puerile interference by the Germans with the blockade of the city meant war. „ Rome, April 23 Ihe King and Queen of Italy inspected the British Channel squadron at Caglian King Humbert, in the course of a speech, referred to the deep and sincere friendship existing between Italy and Great Britain. Received April 24, at 0.20 a.m. Paris April 23. The Figaro states that the Government of siam has placed the public works of the kingdom under French control, and is encouraging the acquirement of the irenca language by the Siamese. Received April 24, at 8.45 a.m. New York, April 23.

The American newspapers are despondent concerning the Philippines war, and express much difference of opinion respecting the expediency of enforcing sovereign rights in the islands. , Senator Quay has been acquitted on the charge of conspiring to misuse State funds. London, April 23. Mr Michael Davitt, in a letter published in Germany, accuses the London Missionary Society of having caused the gamoan trouble. Mr Davitt's statements are endorsed by Mr Csbourne L'oyd, late American Vice-Consul at Samoa:

Received April 24, at 8.53 a.m. Ottawa April 23. Major-General Hutton, Commandant of the Canadian Forces, states that the standard of efficiency of the Canadian troops is below that of similar troops in other parts of the Empire. London, April 23. China has floated another loan for development purposes, which has been covered twofold by French and Belgian financiers. At a meeting at the Mansion House Mr Cecil Rhodes and Mr Cockburn, AgentGeneral for I-outh Australia, gave testimony of the solid work done in the colonies by the Salvation Army. It is reported that the P. and O. Company has asked Italy to make the Biy of Leucca a mail port in place of Brindisi.