LATE CABLE NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6440, 3 October 1882, Page 3

LATE CABLE NEWS.

From the Melbourne papers we take the following messages received from their special correspondents in London :— The alliance between Russia and Montenegro is regarded with anything but favour at the Austrian Court, and bitter articles have

appeared in the Austro-Hungarian Press, criticising the newly-formed relations between the two Powers. •

It has been proposed to import some thousands of Chinese into England for the purpose of carrying out some large undertakings with cheap labour. Tlvb English working classes regard the threatened influx with intense hostility, in which the advanced section of the Liberal party fully support them. A highly influential meeting has been held in London, at which resolutions were carried, amidst much enthusiasm, denouncing the proposed importation as detrimental to the interests of labour, and a probable source of demoralisation to the entire country.

Arrangements are being made by the Egyptian Government, with the approval of the British, for the enrolment of a consider^ able number of Swiss, to act as a gendarmerie for the protection of life and property after the withdrawal of the English troops. A number of men have accordingly been engaged at Geneva, and will leave shortly for Egypt.

The Khedive has signified his intention of bestowing some special honours upon Sir Alexander Malet, British Ambassador at Alexandria.

Lieutenant-general Sir John Miller Adya, X.C.8., chief of Sir Garnet Wolseley's staff, has been offered by tiie Home authorities the Governorship of Gibraltar. The Paris Press urges England to give up the joint control of Egypt in favour of a practical protectorate. The Dutch forces have inflicted a severe defeat on the Atcheenese in Sumatra, who suffered great loss.

There has been a great conflagration at Kashin, a town of considerable importance in Russia, situated 80 miles north-east of Tver, on the Kashinka, a tributary of the Volga. For two days the town has been in flames. The yield of cotton in Egypt during the present season is estimated to show a decrease of at least 40 per cent, on the average of previous years. This is partly attributable to the disturbed state of the country, which has prevented the culture being properly attended to, and partly to the unfavourable state of the weather.

The Government of Italy advocates the settlement of the Suez Canal question by the European Powers without consulting England in the matter, and intimates its willingness to take upon itself the responsibility of providing for the safety of the Canal.