INTERCOLONIAL. (Reuter's Telegrams.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1880, 2 December 1887, Page 13

INTERCOLONIAL. (Reuter's Telegrams.)

Melbourne, November 23. A mooting of the Irish Nationalist party was held in the Hibernian Hall last evening, at which 1200 were present. Sir Bryan O'Loughlin presided. Resolutions were adopted expressing sympathy with the Irish people in the present state of Ireland. Upwards of £400 was subscribed in the room towards the assistance of the evicted tenants. November 23. In the Legislative Assembly this a,fternoon Mr Dobson gave notice that to-morrow he will risk the Government if they will take steps to procure a joint address to the Queen from the two Houses of the Legislature protesting against granting any individual colony the name of " Australia." November 25. No fresh cases of smallpox having been reported from Tasmania during the past 21 days, the Board of Health to-day removed the restriction placed upon vessels arriving from that colony, but the proclamation referring to quarantine is not to be revoked until all danger is past. November 26. Sir James M'Bain, President of the Legislative Council, entertained Lord Carnarvon at a banquet in the Queen's Hall last

evening, at -which the Governor and a large distinguished company were present. Sir Henry Loch, in proposing the health of the guest of the evening, eulogised his services as a statesman, and spoke of the sympathy he had always manifested in the welfare of the colonies. In replying to the toast, Earl Carnarvon declared that Australia has taken her place among the European nations. He congratulated the country upon the settlement of the New Hebrides difficulty, which had only, he said, been achieved at the cost of Egypt and the Suez Canal. The latter was almost as important to Australia as to England. His Lordship concluded by congratulating the colony upon the speedy progress which had-been made in the passage of the Naval Defence Forces Bill. November 28. The Age in an article to-day directs public attention to the complications which may possibly arise in consequence of short supplies of tonnage for Australia. The article shows that already iron vessels of handy size are scarce, and # offers of cargo from Adelaide on account of grain and wool shippers failed to obtain a response from shipowners. The natural result of the present dearth of tonnage has been to increase freight, and it is extremely probable nothing under 32s 6d per ton will be accepted by owners of iron sailing vessels for cargoes of moderate size, while for steamers a considerable advance in rates everywhere is anticipated. November 29. The shearers' dispute still continues. Latest reports state that 90 unionist shearers have taken possession of Barwidgee station woolshed, totally stopping shearing operations. The police in the district are helpless, and mounted constables have been summoned to their assistance. Sydney, November 23. In the Assembly last night Mr Copeland's motion for an import duty on grain was adjourned. The motion given notice of by the Premier in the Assembly yesterday proposing the alteration of the name of this colon) r to " Australia " came before the House to-day, when, after a lengthy debate : the motion was adopted by 50 to 17. November 21. At yesterday's evening sitting of the Assembly the Bill authorising the name of the colony being changed to "Australia" passed its first reading on a division by 58 votes to 18. Considerable opposition to the new name is manifested both in this and the other colonies, and the proposal has been discussed by the Victorian, South Australian, and Queensland Assemblies, the idea being generally ridiculed as an unwarrantable assumption of the federal name by a single colony. The Norddeutscher Lloyd's s.s. Lubeck, from Tonga and Samoa, arrived here to-day. Island advices report that all is quiet and matters are restored to their former order at Tonga. The German squadron is still at Apia, whore an American corvette is also looking after American interests. A large number of Malietoa's followers have swoin allegiance to Tamasesc. The American consul continues to protest I against the action of the German authorities in the island. November 26. The Government have decided to make reductions during the current financial year in the salaries of civil servants, amounting in the aggregate to £80,000. It is probable that next year the saving effected in this direction will exceed £400,000. The Premier intimated in the Assembly last evening that it was the intention of the Government to introduce a bill at an early date to check the influx of Chinese to this colony. Mr Melville, the member for Northumberland, was again named by the Speaker in the Assembly last evening, but no result ensued. Mr W. E. Piddington, M.L.C., Chairman of Committees, died somewhat suddenly last night. November 28. After great opposition, the Naval Defence Forces Bill has been passed by the Assembly by 41 votes to 9. Brisbane, November 22. In the Assembly to-night the Naval Defence Bill, after most determined opposition, passed its second reading by a majority of four, the numbers being — for the second reading, 23 ; against, 19. Brisbane. November 24. Owing to the stonewalling tactics adopted by the opponents of the measure, a decision relative to the Naval Defence Bill is as far off as ever. November 21. In the Legislative Assembly to-day the Premier announced that the Government found themselves forced to yield to the physical force of the opponents of the Naval Defences Bill, and would have either to* withdraw the measure or resign. The Premier stated that under the circumstances the Government did not consider the latter course feasible, and had decided to drop the bill, throwing upon the Opposition the ojius of the breach of faith with the other colonies. November 29. The second reading of the Naval Defence Forces Bill was carried in the Assembly this evening without opposition, and subsequently passed through all its stages. It is understood that the Federal Council of Australasia will meet at Hobart on January 16.