CABLE TELEGRAMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1159, 14 February 1874, Page 13

CABLE TELEGRAMS.

London, January 23 rd.

MrGladstone, in addressing his constituents at Greenwich, Btated that the Queen had accepted the advice of her Ministers to dissolve Parliament, and that the new elections would take place immediately. Parliament would re-assemble on the sth of March. Since the defeat of the present Government on the Irish education question, the Ministry had not possessed sufficient strength to carry any great legislative measures, and the experience of the recess foreshadowed no improvement. An appeal to the country was therefore the proper remedy. The advantage of a dissolution was obvious, because the estimates for the year were so far advanced as to enable him as Chancellor of the Exchequer to promise a surplus of £5,000,000. He further stated that it was the intention of the Government to abolish the income tax, to revise local taxation, and repeal the duties on certain articles of consumption. Among the matters likely to come before the new Parliament, was the adjustment of the Education Act, also an improvement in tho system of looal Government, and amendments jo the land, Same, and. liquor Jaws.,

Mr Disraeli, in an address to his constituents in Buckinghamshire, said that the Government had resorted to a dissolution of Parliament to avoid an explanation relative to the Ashautee war. He charaete ised Mr Gladstone's programme as iudeiinite, and j took exception to the promised surplus. Every Ministry, he said, having a surplus, promised to ajjply it to the reduction of taxation. He said the Conservatives always favoured the abolition of the Income Tax, and the reduction of local taxation, but had always beeiij opposed by the Liberal party. He main- 1 tamed that Mr Gladstone ought to show more energy in his foreign policy, and not conlitic his piogromme to flume legislation. Tiie Conservatives were not afraid of the results j of the elections, but would hesitate to sane- ! tion the assimilation of the county and borough franchise, because it would involve the disfranc'uisement of all boroughs comprising le3S than 40, 000 inhabitants. Dr Featherston, the Agent-General for New Zealand, has received the decoration of St. Michael and St. George. January 24th. A deputation waited upon Mr Gladstone to urge upon him the assimilation of the borough with the county franchise. Mr Gladstone declined to give a definite reply, but hinted that the Government was not sufficiently strong, and Parliament too short-lived to deal with so immaterial a question at present. In the case of Bear v. Stevenson, which came before the Privy Council, an appeal | was allowed with costs. The Court held no [ fradulent misrepresentation. A Queensland four per cent, loan for £250,000 has been announced, at a minimum of SS. The weather is mild. The Clio has arrived at Portsmouth. There is a demand for silver in India. The Liver]jool wool sale 3 showed prices l£d lower, but better prospects arc antici1 pated. The Colonial arrivals to date reached 50,000 bales. The corn market is easy. Mr Whalley, M.P. for Peterborough, and a staunch supporter of the Claimant in the Tichborne case, was summoned for contempt of Court, and fined by Lord Chief Justice Cockburn in a sum of £250. Mr Whalley refused to pay the line, and was committed to Holloway Prison. His offence consisted in upholding the accuracy of Jean Luie's original evidence with regard to the picking up of the Claimant and landing him at Melbourne. Dr Livingstone, the great African explorer, diad, in June last, from dysentery, at Lake Beinba, after wading through water for four days. The body was preserved in salt by his native servants, who are proceeding to | I Zanzibar. At a meeting of the lioyal Geographical Society, Sir Bartle Frere, and Dr Kirk, Consul- General at Zanzibar, doubted strongly the authenticity of the report of Dr Livingstone's death. The English Government have received a telegram confirming Dr Livingstone's death at Lobis. January 26th. The dissolution of Parliament has taken the country by surprise. Mr Whalley, M. P. , has paid the fine and been released from custody. January 27th. Cape Coast news to the 11th instant states that the troops continue steadily advancing and keep in good health. January 2Sfch. Great meetings have been held at St. I James and Exeter Halls sympathising with the German Enrperor in his conflict with the j i Ultramontanes. London", January 29th. Mr Hawkins has concluded his reply in the Tiohborne case. Chief Justice Cockburti has commenced summing up, and is expected to occupy a fortnight. St. Petersburg, January 25th. The marriage of the Duke of Edinburgh I was celebrated on the afternoon of the 23rd, in the presence of a brilliant and distinguished company, the ceremony being a most magnificent one. The service was performed according to the rites of the Greek Church first, and those of the English Church afterwards. A grand review and general festivities followed, the illuminations in St. Petersburg extending over three nights. The Duke and Duchess visit Moscow, and are expected to reach England in March. ViK.vjfA, January 24th. The Austrian Government have presented a Bill to the fteichsrath for abolishing the Concordat. COMMERCIAL. The corn market is quiot. Adelaide wheat ia scarce, at Gs Id to 0s 2d. Flax is depressed, and little business doing. Australian is quoted at j£s 15s. The month's sales are 91 bales. Ordinary to fine, £21 ; damaged, £15 to £17. The Queensland loan has been taken up at an average of £88 4s 6d, and tbo balance of the New Zealand loan at £98.