BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2130, 20 December 1894, Page 35

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

London, December 12.

There was a largo attendance at the Colonial Institute when Sir Henry Wrixon, of Victoria, read his paper on the recent Canadian Conference. During the discussion which followed Lord Bratsoy urged that the Government should grant the requests of the conference, which would largely develop the trade of the Empire. He knew on the authority of Sir J. S. D. Thompson, the Premier of Canada, that tenders for the laying of tho proposed Paoific cable were 1.000.000d0i below the estimate. The Hon. Thomas Playford, Agentgeneral for South Australia, declared that to send in tenders for laying a cable before even a survey of the route had been made constituted a breach of faith. If the cable was laid it would be only honest to protect South Australia against any loss. He went on to say that England could easily admit Auatralian wines at a lower rate than foreign wines, as the colonies were always seeking to conserve the interests of England, who could only retain the loyalty of the colonies if she made it worth their while.

Tbe British Parliament meets on the sth February.

Lord Rosebery, speaking at Devonport, said the Government would proceed with the work of the session in spite of the altitude of the House of Lords. The Isiue at the next general election would be simply whether the people were to be governed by the House of Lords or by themselves. He disclaimed any idea of reforming the Upper House, and said the absolute veto possessed by that Chamber must cease.

Lord Sandhurst succeeds Lord Harris as Governor of Bombay. Lord Brassey states that he has no official knowledge that he iB to succeed Lord Hopetoun as Governor of Victoria, but he declines to deny the report that he will be appointed. Prince Hohenlohe, the German Chancellor, addressing the ReichiUg, said the navy mnst be strengthened in order to maintain the colonial policy. The Newfoundland Government are applying for Imperial assistance. Owing to the financial pa:iic there i* a lack of cash, and fUb valued at half a million is lying rotting in the stores unsaleable.

Speaking on Sir H. Wrixon's paper at the Colonial Institute, Sir J. S. Thompson said a practical outcome of the Ottawa Conference was assured, and the Pacific cable was certain of attainment. TheC nadiin Govt-rn-ment bad voted Huddart, Parker, and Co. a subsidy, as they were determined to secure their services.

French diplomatists are deeply impressed with the results of the visit of the Prince and Princes* of Wales to Russia. It is declared that the Czar assured tbe Prince that \rhile he lived there should never be anytWnw out fri*nd*hip between Ra-sia and Errland. The Pall Mall Gazette cays Lord Brashey'* acceptance of the Governorship of Victoria 1b merely a matter of time. Owing to fears of Fenian outrages the household police protecting the Queen have been reinforced.

The capital of Baron Sohroeder'i Aseetß Company, to take over the Union Mortgage and Ageuoy Company's guaranteed mortgage*, hsua been largely over-subaoribed. The Paris paper Figaro aajs that the Pope, detirtng their advice on the proposed union ot the Anglican and Roman Qatholic Churche*, will probably anmmon Cardinal Moran (of Sydney, N.B.W) and Cardinal Gibbons (of Baltimore, U.S.A.) to Rome to confer with Cardinal Vaughan on the subject. Silver, 2s 3|d per oz. Seven hundred French troops have arrived in Madagascar. The German Government request the Reichstag to prosecute the Socialists who took part in the scene Cor laesio majesbitis. Several London sporting reporters and others who were present at the Winter-Smith fight have been arrested as accessories to man*langhter. Sir H. Wrixon, speakiDg at the Colonial Institute, said that the chief significance of the conference at Ottawa waß the warm feeling of common brotherhood evoked by a representative gathering ot all branches of the Empire. Improvements in steam aud electricity would Boon render possible facilities for communication enabling a degne of national concentration to be attained calculated to entirely overpower the weakness at pxesent inherent in the expansion of the Empire.

December 13

After unsuccessful attempts by various parties extending ov«r a period of 20 years a band of Russians have safely navigated the Oxug river, in Central Asia, and reached Faizibad, on the Afghan frontier. Tho Hon. Thomas Playford, Agent-general for South Australia, states that the Marquis ef Ripon has not replied to the colony's request t.o permit Chief Justice Way to succeed Lord Kintore as Governor of South Australia. He ia inclined to believe the Colonial Ofliofl will not interfere in the matter.

The marriage of Prince Adolphus of Teck and Lady Margaret Grosvenor, daughter of the Duke of Westminster, takes placs at Cheater. Tbe ceremony is to be of a brilliant Character.

It is believed in financial circles in the city that a Tasmanian loan, with a minimum of 99 or 100, will be issued at tbe end of the year.

The West Australian Goldfields Company (Limited; show a profit for /six months of L 47.000. A dividend was declared at the rate of 25 per cent, for the year, and L 25.000 Carried forward.

December H.

The National Agricultural Union has reaolved to promote a strong party in the Howe of Commons to claim the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire as to the bwt means of lessening tbe burden o£ taxation on the agricultural community. Great Britain has acquiesced in the proposal of the United States to construct the Nicaragua Canal on the lines of ownership similar to those adopted in the construction of the Suez Canal.

Mr D. J. Green succeeds Mr A. F. GooSlidge »8 Premier of Newfoundland. Owing to recent corruption and bribery disclosures it ttm impossible lor Sir William Whiteway Can ex- Premier) to fill the vacancy.

The Times says it is essential that England should Bpend five millions annually in the construction of new warships. London, December 15. Mr Gladstone will spend the winter in Cannes and Biarriiz.

Lord Rosebery, addressing a meeting at Stratford, advised the Indepeudeut Labour parly to coalesce with the Liberals, wtio were determined to deal with the workingclass questions thoroughly, though unable to accept the Norwich programme. He promised to introduce a bill for tbe unification of London.

Mr A. J. Mundella, formerly President of the Board of Trade, in addressing his constitsents, explained his connection with the New Zealand Loan and Mercan'ile Agency Company and his reason for resigning his portfolio after Judge Williams's remarks on his action as a direotor. He declared that the reason why an explanation had not been given earlier was that the case was still sub judice. He had, he 6aid, done his duty, and feared no man's censure.

Austria and Italy will not permit Great Britain and Russia a free hand in dealing with the Armenian outrages.

The colonial Agents-general attended tbe requiem service in London in memory of the late Sir J. S. D. Thompson, Premier of Canada.

December 17.

Tallow is unchanged. The English wheat market shows a decline of 6d per quarter. The Continental has alto declined, and the American is weak.

Victorian stocks have recovered 1£ per cent.

Germany aad France will not permit Great Britain to annex Delagoa Bay.

In his speech at Scraiford, Lord Rosebery said the Liberal party would never be defeated except by itself. Tbe only fear of weakness was from within.

Mr Weddel's agents in Vienna report that Queensland beef is making slow but steady progress in the market, despite the competition of American meat. The W-ziris having declined to accept the terms offered for peace, tbe Indian Government are sending a military expedition to their country immediately. It is believed that the decision of the Porte in regard to the Armenian inquiry indicates that the European entente cordiale will end in the regrouping of the Powers on the Eastern question. The Imp«rial Government have offered to assist . the Newfoundland Government if they are invited to sund a commission to inquire as to tbe cause of the crisis. The panic is now ftuhsldiog. President Krug«r, of the Transvaal, states that the new Swaziland Convention which he has signed amures the Tranivaal of suzerainty over Swaziland, and gives Great Britain power to appoint a consul. The Right Hon. A. J. Mnndella told his constituents that he was certain every act at the oH directors of the N*w ZoaUiid Loan and Mercantile Company was prompted by a Hole desire to benefit the company. He and his old oolleagues would be glad to Bee the new oompany prosper. Prince Hohenlohe, tha German Chancellor, in ill through worry and harassment. During the discussion in the Reichstag on a motion to prosecute the Socialists he remained seated in bis ohair with his head bowed down, and sometimes fell anlcep.

The Bradford merchants have addressed a circular to the Melbourne exporters complaining that the sheep-ftheariog machines in use in the colony show uneven cutting, which causes the wool to ooil during Gambit g process. It is pointed out that this results in serious loss to the manufacturers.

It has been discovered that a number of French soldiers serving in the African regiments are tainted with Anarohistlo principles, and are corrupting newly-joined conscripts. A. number have undergone imprisonment, and the authorities are taking vigorous measures to maintain military discipline.

PAKI3, December 12.

The Tariff O»mmittee has pronounced in favour of a sliding scale of import duties on cereals, winep, and cat tiff.

Senator Morgan asserts that no foreign Government objects to the United States having control of the Nicaragua canal.

December 15.

The French marines have occupied Tamatave, Madagascar, the Hovan fleeing after three shells had been flred from the warships.

Deoember 17.

It is reported the Malagu^in will accept French conditions, being convihced of: the futility of resistance. France has secured the Hinterland, behiud Dahomey, by meana of a treaty with KiDg Boraean.

Berlin, December 13

H«*rr L^ibknccbt made a violent attack on Kaiser Wilhelm in the Reichstag 1 , boldly invftghed against bis policy, and condemned his hypocrisy. Tb>. speech caused another scene.

The Reichstag refused an application to prosecute the Socialists for refusing to cheer the Kaiser.

St. Petersburg, December 11.

The R >trischil'is have consented to float a Russian loan of 15 J millions on the express assurance that the persecution of Jewg in Russian territory shall cease.

December 13.

The Russian loan of fifteen and a half millions was over subscribed, the greater portion of the money coming from France.

The Bourse G-zotte estimates that the loan was subscribed tenfold.

Rome, December 12.

The Premier (Signor Gioletti) produced suppressed documents in the Bunco Romana scandal in the Chamber to-day. After a stormy sitting, a committee was appointed to report on the matter.

December 13.

The Italian Government have dismissed several magistrates for failing to execute the law in connection with tbe Banca Romana Ecandal.

December 15.

A committee of: the Italiau Chamber of Deputies has advised that most of tha documents relating to the Barca Romana scandal bo publiehad, and that some referring to Signor Crispl's private affairs be suppressed. The Chamber adopted the report. It is generally thought that the Premier's action in producing the documents was

unjustifiable. December Parliament has b«en prorogued.

Constantinople, December 15.

Tho Porte conHents to the British, Russian, and French Consuls in Eizeroum, thecapitnl of Turkish Armenia, being appointed to hold an inquiry into the n-otmt outrages in Armenia by Turkiuh soldiers. The invitation to the United Sm'es to take part has been withdrawn by ihe Saltan owing to the limitations placed on the consul by President Cleveland. Madrid, December 15. Despite the opposition of the Government a motion has been carried in the Chamber reducing the import duty on wool. Washington, December 17. The Banking Committee of the House of of Representatives approved of tho Currency Bill introduced by Mr J. G. Carlisle, Treasurer. The Convention of the American Federation of Labour rejected the Socialists' plank in the federation programme. New York, December 13. The town of Reynolds, in Georgia, was •truck by a fearful cyclone and practically demolished. Whole famlliea were buried benenth the fallen buildings, and the debris caught fire before some of the unfortunate people could be rescued. It has not yet been ascertained how many perished. Ottawa, December 15. ■ The despatch of the orulser Blenheim from London with the remains of the late Sir J. S. D. Thompson and the Queen's message of sympathy have evoked immense enthusiasm throughout Canada. St. Johns, December 19. The Newfoundland Government have requested the Governor to provide interest on the public debt which falls dae at the beginning of tha year, otherwise the colony will have to make default. The Ministry has resigned. December 15. The Newfoundland Government have arranged to pay the interest on the public debt, falling due in Januaiy. Operatives are in a state of semi-starva-tion, being without money to purchase bread ; while employers have no money with which to pay wages. » ■' >m