CABLEGRAMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1813, 20 August 1886, Page 9

CABLEGRAMS.

BRITISH. AND FOREIGI. (Reuter's Telegrams.) London, August 11. A deputation of members of the Imperial Federation League waited to-day upon the Marquis of Salisbury to urge that a conference should be held or a Royal Commission including colonial delegates appointed to suggest means for collective action in the defence of British Ports in time of war, the promoting of commercial interests, postal and telegraphic communication, to further the maintenance of peace, and. to secure a close union of the Empire. Mr James Service, in a speech on behalf of the deputation, alluded in bitter terms to the way the Imperial Government had in former years neglected the colonial interests, but hoped this was now changed. The Government should negotiate with France for her withdrawal from the New Hebrides and New Caledonia. Such a step would bind Australia closer than ever to the Mother Country. The Marquis of Salisbury, in reply, stated that he was unable on his own authority to answer the request of the deputation, but would consult his colleagues in the matter. He said he fully recognised the importance of the deputation, and was impressed by the rapid growth of the federation movement, and that it was a mistake to consider the movement unreal. The Government would always keep the desire for federation before them. His Lordship went on to say that he approved of the views of Captain Colomb regarding Imperial defences. The Government would confer thereon with a number of leading colonists. The remarks which had been made by Mr Service regarding New Guinea were outside the range of practical policies. He concluded by praising the energy the colonies had shown in matters of defence. In the collision which occurred at the funeral of a victim by the recent riots, one of the rioters was shot by the police. The Right Hon. Robert Bourke has been appointed Governor of Madras, in succession to Mr Grant Duff. ' No further disturbances have occurred at Belfast during the past 20 hours. The town is now tranquil. August 12. All the members of the Ministry who offered themselves for re-election have been returned unopposed. The opposition threatened to the re-election of Mr Matthews, Q.C. the Home Secretary, was not persisted in. The weekly returns of the Bank of England, published to-day, show the total reserve in notes and bullion to be £11,800,000, or £300,000 more than last week. The proportion of reserve to liabilities has advanced to 42 per cent. Consols are •§ higher, at 101£. New Zealand securities maintain last quotations. The bank rate of discount remains at 2^, and the market rate at If per cent. Breadstuffs and tallow are unchanged. August 13. A number of colonial visitors proceeded yesterday to Chester, where they were entertained at luncheon by the mayor, the Duke of Westminster and the Bishop of Chester being present. The party afterwards drove to Eton Hill, the seat .of the Duke of Westminster, as guests to his Grace. A state of tranquility prevails in Belfast, but the precautions which were taken in view of further disturbances have in no way j been relaxed. An alarming colliery explosion occurred , to-day at Woodend, Lancashire. Thirty miners are entombed, and serious fears are entertained for their safety. Colonial breadstuffs and tallow are without quotable change. The total quantity of wheat afloat for the Uuited Kingdom is 1,810,000 quarters, being 50,000 quarters less than last week. New Zealand mutton, prime quality, remains at 4|d to 5d per lb. August 14. Mr Stanhope, Secretary for the Colonies, has issued official notification that he will receive] at the Colonial Office, on each Tuesday during the remainder of the month, any colonial visitors who may desire an interview with him. It is announced that a meeting of the Cabinet has been held at which Sir M. Hicks-Beach, Chief Secretary for Ireland, reported the state of that country to be reassuring. The Cabinet deoided that Parliament be prorogued as soon as supply has been obtained. A committee of the Cabinet was appointed to consider the position of affairs in Ireland. Sir Charles Tupper, High Commissioner for Canada, is proceeding to Ottawa to confer with the Dominion Government concerning the proposed permanent Colonial Exhibition in London and the part that Canada should take in connection therewith. London, August 15. Sir Samuel Davenport and Sir Arthur Blyth say that Mr Stanhope has virtually settled the personnel of the Adelaide Jubilee Exhibition Commission, and is communicating with the Duke of Cambridge and the Marquis of Lome relative to its presidentship. The European Governments have been informed that space will be allotted in November. It is believed that the Salisbury Government will not demand any unusual powers fair the Government of Ireland. The Times advises the Government to Remodel the Church and the House of Lords, to deal with the land question, and to grant local government. The French Journal Officiel insists on the Franco-German protocol of December last being respected in regard to the Pacific Islands. La Liberte urges , the French Government to follow the example set by England in proclaiming a protectorate over the Ellice group. Bishop itenmon makes an appeal in the columns of The Times to churchmen and Etonians for funds to complete the Adelaide Cathedral^ which he hopes to see finished next year, so that it may be considered as a memorial of the Queen's jubilee year. German shippers desire that the German. Australian, steamship line should, oonrpete

for the mail contract between England and Australia. The tenants in Tyrone are now paying rents. London, August 16. Serious rioting occurred yesterday morning in Belfast between a large body of Protestants and Roman Catholics, and resulted in one person being killed and several wounded. The military were called out and the rioters dispersed. The sculling match for the championship of England took place to-day between Neil Matterson, of Sydney, and George Perkins, of Rotherhithe, and resulted in the defeat of the latter. It is announced in Berlin that the Powers interested have come to an agreement whereby no alteration can be made in the status of the Samoan Islands without the consent of all the Powers concerned. A State commission will be sent to Samoa with a view to arranging a lasting settlement of the difficulty. It is also reported that the German and United States Governments advocate certain consular changes in Samoa, bnt the British Cabinet are opposed to the proposed alterations. London, August 17. No further disturbance has occurred in Belfast since the riot on Sunday, and the town is now tranquil. The mails per Sorata (from Melbourne, July 9) were delivered to-day via Naples. A large party of colonial and Indian visitors have been on a visit to Dublin, where they were entertained at lunch by the Lord Mayor. The market rate of discount has advanced to 2 per cent., and is now £ below the bank rate. New Zealand securities are unchanged. Colonial breadstuffs remain at last quotations — namely, Adelaide wheafftex store), 365 ; New Zealand, 28s to 345 ; Adelaide flour (ex store), 24s 6d. Tallow. — Australian average quality beef, 24s 6d ; mutton, 27s per cwt. Chicago, August 17. The Irish National Convention meet here to-morrow. It is stated that discord has arisen between the Parnellites and the dynamite party. Naples, August 12. Cholera has broken out in this city, and four deaths have occurred. The cholera epidemic is increasing along the Adriatic, and is spreading into the interior. Paris, August 11. The Republique Francaise, in an article today, says it is convinced France will not withdraw from the New Hebrides. Paris, August 14. The official journal publishes articles today regarding the Franco-German protocol of December last relating to the future operations of those countries on the West Coast of Africa and the South Pacific. The journal invokes the taking of the New Hebrides by France, and argues the justification of such a step. Rome, August 12. The Emperors of Austria and Germany have caused the Pope to be informed that at their meeting at Gastein they have under consideration the present position of the Papacy. His Holiness replied expressing his thanks to their Majesties for the intimation. (Special to Press Association.) . London, August 12. The English postal authorities favour the establishment of a twopenny postcard system with Australia. General Ignatiefi states that Russia and France are eager for revenge against Germany. It is reported that an English protectorate has been proclaimed over Ellace Group, situated between 175 and 180 E. long, and 5 and 10 S. lat. Intelligence has been received from Texas that a large number of Texans threaten to make a raid on Mexico for the purpose of releasing an American journalist who has been imprisoned there for libel. Truth publishes an article warning the public against investing in a consultation on the Melbourne Cup, circulars for whioh are being issued broadcast throughout the country by Mr James Walters, Newton, Sydney. Mr Pender urges Mr Edward Stanhope (Secretary of State for the Colonial Department) not to promise any assistance to the proposal to lay a oable across the Pacific Ocean until the proposals made by the Eastern Extension Company have been considered. , August 13. The frozen meat by the Orient is selling at 4£d, and that by the Doric at s£d per lb. A portion of the meat cargo by the ship Mataura has arrived in an unsatisfactory condition. Viscount Wolseley, speaking at Shoeburyness, expressed a hope that the colonies would send a volunteer team to England during the jubilee year, and also that a British team might be sent to compete at colonial rifle meetings. A dastardly outrage has been perpetrated at Derry. As an Orange procession was parading the streets, bottles containing gunpowder, with lighted fuses attached, were thrown amongst the processionists, but fortunately no one was harmed. It is reported that the White Star Line offer to establish a 26£ days' service to .Adelaide. August 14. The wheat market is firmer, and owing to the unsettled weather foreign and colonial stocks are quoted at 6d dearer. American shipments are increasing. The directors of the Bank of New South Wales have announced that it is their intention to increase the capital by a quarter of a million. Beach, the New South Wales oarsman, is now reported to be in excellent form. It has been decided to establish a private German bank in the colonies, with a State superintendenoy. Shaw bitterly complains of Major Wardill's attempt to seoure a team for a colonial tour, and suggests that Lord Harris and Messrs W, Or. Grace and Walker ehould arbitrate on

the question at issue, but Major Wardill ha declined. Shaw has secured Barlow and M Read to accompany his team. Sir Charles Tupper proceeds to Canada to advocate a permanent exhibition being established. Sir Cunliffe Owen is confident the scheme will be a success LONDON, August 16. Twenty thousand Socialists paraded the streets of Brussels demanding universal suffrage. Michael Davitt, addressing 20,000 persons at Chicago, said that he had abandoned a policy of revenge against England. Sir Daniel Cooper, in a letter to The Times, urges the establishment of a Federal Council, consisting of 30 members, eacli of the colonies and Canada to be represented by four members. The creditors in the Commercial Bank of Adelaide will be required to lodge their claims with the liquidators by September 30. , London, August 17. The New Zealand Midland railway will be commenced from Greymouth. It is reported that the Messageries Maritimes Company propose to establish a fortnightly service to Australia shortly. The French Government have proposed to double the subsidy. It is also rumoured that the P. and O. Company have under consideration a proposal to establish a regular service between Antwerp and Australia which will be superior to the German-Colonial line. Mr David Buchanan, of Sydney, has written a letter to the Chronicle in which he ridicules Imperial Federation and predicts the early independence of Australia. The P. and O. Company deny the statement that they intend to establish a regular line between Antwerp and Australia. August 18. It is reported that M. Francois Grevy retires from the presidency of the French Republic, and he will oe succeeded by M. deFreycinet, the present Minister of Foreign Affairs. Amongst cricketers gratification is expressed at the announcement that Major Wardill is abandoning the proposal for taking a team of cricketers to Australia.