SUMMARY FOR EUROPE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8732, 19 February 1890, Page 5

SUMMARY FOR EUROPE.

j POLITICAL AND GENERAL. \ Beyond two post-sessiomil speeches by JMr Larnach anci Mr I'ish, which arc chiefly jof local interest, nothing has occurred during [the month to disturb the poliiical calm ../{which has for some time past existed within j|thecolony. The Premier, Sir H. A. Atkinson, has been able to resume his duties, . |fchough the state of his health still gives some anxiety to his friends, and he needed va longer rest. Tho great event of the month, ?and one which will render it memorable in . sthe future history of the Australasian foolonies, was tho meeting of the conference |of delegates in Melbourne on the question of which passed off most successfully. Sir Henry Parkes opened with a " Jmost eloquent speech, in which ho took pains |.o adopt a conciliatory line, with a view of '(shewing that New South Wales had no selfish abject in view. The only jarring note was ; 'from some remarks of Mr Playford, one of She delegates from South Australia, to wlicm Sir Henry somewhat warmly replied. South fAustralia and Western Australia are jaot yet prepared to throw in their ■ |ot with tho other colonies of the main- - land; and the New Zealand representatives! feir John Hall and the Hon. Captain Kus- • ' sell, while thoroughly sympathetic, were ■jully alive to the difficulties which stand in (the way of this colony, which is cut off feom the m-iiuUnd by 1200 miles of sea, {joining the Dominion at an early date. however, the general principle was affirmed, and it was agreed to ask the several' Legislatures each to appoint some 'delegates to a convention to meet this year lind discuss the details of union, and the way js to be left open in the i'nture for those |.olonies that cannot join at present. A. loyal address to the Queen was adopted, |u(l there was a discussiou on defence, if which we have not yet tho full fletails. It is certain that New Zeajuul will stand out for the present, but it •J.'ill be a great pity it: South Australia does o, as she is connected by railway with the ther principal colonies on the mainland, nd has little excuse for playing a lone and. The importance of intercolonial Free- . rade was fully recognised; it is in fact Jmost a shi'i qua non in respect to tho ques- '. |on of ii thorough amalgamation between ~ pc rival colonies, and it is suggested that ■few Zealand might be admitted to a cusAni's union, thongh she may not be able as jet to join the proposed Dominion. It to be seen whether the Legis- . ,lture of Victoria will support these Irge and patriotic views. She has ' ibmothing to gain, but also sometring to lose in giving up a main part '.£ her protective policy, particularly if ;lew Zealand farmers with their great clvantages are permitted to enter :* to free competition with her own. The 1 -.estion has undoubtedly been advanced by V important stage, and the unanimity which !: the whole prevailed was very remarkable. ' 7e believe the idea of Federation will take old of the people, and then nothing can i'event its realisation in some form. Sir tenry Parkcs deserves much credit for the b!fi manner in which he has brought it into le front rank. In Wellington and Auckland the Jubilee of le colony has been celebrated with a good pal of enthusiasm. In the South the exhi- •' ition takes the place of such a celebration, id it has continued to be remarkably well .tended, the number of paid admissions in I weeks having totalled up to 217,000. It fill remain open till the middle of April. 'A Conference of Chambers of Commerce .Us been held in Dunedin, which it was . sped would be attended by some Australian ; jlegates. In this, however, we were from irious unforeseen circumstances disapi.minted. Papers were read from Mr Pulsford, '; Sydney, and Mr Cowderoy, of Melbourne, ' it the others were by local men from Christ- :.' mrch and Dunedin. A very able paper on Immigration," by Mr Stead, of Cbristchurch, id one on " Mining," by Mr Allen, M.H.E.. ill bo found in another column. The con--■e affirmed the desirability of a re- ■ ytion of nominated immigration, and of ■■'•{ .rade between the various colonies. It . , discussed the question of bills of lading, ! of a proposal for an average clause in . policies, by which the partial insurer in ; of partial loss would have to bear a part .: lead of getting a full indemnity. There ■ome disposition on the part of insurers to ;fCt to this, and the companies were , -. ked to postpone the matter for sixmonths, ■■ d no doubt some compromise will be lilved at. \ Our city tramways, which are a very im- , irtant addition to the convenience of the :izens, are unfortunately not paying the v mpany which works them, mainly beuse of thegreat expense of horse tractionis proposed at no distant time to introduce '.. actricity as the motive power, by which ''.- cans, it is believed, great saving can be fected. Our Harbour Board has had a prosperous ar, the increase of revenue being £74C5 on .'• ': at of the previous year, and improvementß • • c being made both in the Victoria channel ...... d in the Lower Harbour, as well as at the 3ads. ■ The members of the Church of England -re a good deal exercised by a blunder ihich was made by the last General Synod I appointing a primate before Bishop jarper had resigned. The Standing Coramis;jjn have declared the appointment void, and iat Bishop Suter, of Nelson, as senior (shop is acting primate until the synod Iclares otherwise. Bishop Hadfield, the mod's nominee, is taking the advice of liis Sends in the matter, and in the meantime , je consecration of Archdeacon Julius to the jshopric of Chvistchurch is delayed. There [a good deal of controversy as to whether |c view taken by the Standing Commission ! correct, some contending that the General .'... pod is superior even to its own canons, but Je opinion of the Bishop of Nelson is most universally condemned as unicoming and detrimental to the church's ' sst interests. A commission is now sitting and taking pdence on the sweating system, which was ie subject of much controversy some months •jo. There is great public sympathy in colonies with every movement for meliorating the condition of the working asses, and we havo no doubt that good will . jsult from the inquiry.