BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2207, 18 June 1896, Page 20

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

London, Jane 9.

The Prince of Wales opened the Trades Exhibition in East London. Rssponding to cheers over bis success In the Derby, he said he was gratified to win the race with a horse of his own breeding. Sir Hercules Robinson has arrived from the Cape. The Irish Land Law Reform Bill has been read a second time in the House of Commons. Mr Balfour Bald that if members would co-operate with the Government there was a reasonable hope of getting the measure through all stages. The Times says that the delay in holding the cable conference may entail the loss of a year. Mr Chamberlain, addressing the congress of the chambsra of commerce, said -the commercial -union of all" parts of the Empire would be the first decisive step towards realising the most inspiring idea of British statesmanship. All questions of commerce, communication, and defence could then be remitted to an Imperial Council. Jane 10. The Empsror of Germany's yacht Meteor has defeated the Britannia for the 'third time. Mrs Dyer, convicted of wholesale infanticide, was hanged to-day. May Gore, an aotrese, sued Lord Dudley for LI 5,000 damages for breach of promise. A verdict was returned for defsnd&nt, who, however, agreed to settle L3OOO on plaintiff. The Timas correspondent at Pretoria states that there is uneasiness in Government circle?, and the movements of the British troops are watched with the greatest suspicion. June 11. Mr Afquitb, speaking at Beaming, said that, except in regard to defences, the formal conned ion of the colonies was the best safeguard of the psrmanent unity of the Empire. The zollveirein was not a solid principle, and would prove unworkable in praocioe. British workers would not tolerate a scheme which would hamper trade for the sake of an imaginary expansion of friendship. A caucus of Government supporters will j be convened, at whioh the leaders of the Cabinet will be present, to discuss the Voluntary Schools Bill and the obstruction offered to it. Mr Balfour, leader of the House, intimates that he will insist on the vital clauses of the measure being accepted. June 12. Lrrd Glasgow has submitted to Mr Ohatnberlain New Zsaland's proposal respecting the administration of Norfolk Island. Jane 13. The Treasury proposes asking for a vote of three millions sterling to complete the railway from Mombassa to Lake Victoria Nya-- z i. The P. and O. Company's new steamer China has been launched. The National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand has declared a dividend at the rate of 5 per oent. per annum. Jane 14. Colonel North's fortune has been proved to be below balE a million. Jane 15. Lord Hopetoan is mentioned as likely to succeed Lord Dafferin as British Ambassador in Paris. Paris, Jane 8. M. Jules Simoc, the French statesman, is dead. June 9. The Emperor of Germany wired to the President on the death of M. Jules Simon that he would ever remember the deceased statesman for his efforts in supporting the working class and his endeavours to improve their lot. Berlin, Jao6 11, The Badget Committee havo refused to defray the cost of transferring the territory of the German New Guinea Company to Imperial control. Jane 12, At a congress of naval architects in Berlin, the Kaiser attending, the British Admiral, who presided, said that Germany wab a great factor in preserving the peace of tho w«rlrl. Junt IK The Kaiser, replying to an address from the Congress of- Naval Architects, said he hoped that the oordial reception they had given him proved that blood was thicker than water. ■ June .15. .Prince Bismarck's, organ declares it 1b imperative that Germany should closely gcratinise the British zollverein for Imperial federation. St. PJBTEBSBUEa, June, 8. The Czar has assigned 20,000 roubles for the pupporfc of the children iujursd and wft™ ' rents were killed at the recent fdt. Constantinople. June 9. The Turks have pillaged Seraklim and burned many villages. A fanatical rising is imminent. Athens, Jane 10. Tha Cretans have asked that half the customs revenue' should be set apart for the island and governors appointed for five •years. < Jane 11. Turkish troops wreoked thr.ee churches in Crete. Jane 14. As a result of the trouble in Crete, 25,000 people are Raid to be homeless and in a starving condition there. Rome, June 8. The Duke of Sermoneta, Foreign Minister, in referring to Mr Bal four's complaint as to tha disclosures in the Green Book, said that Great Britain had shown great goodwill and unvarying sincerity in the discussion of the Abyssinian negotiations. ° c June 9. ' The Duke of Ssrmonetta stated in the House that if a great force attacked Kaosala it would be difficult, to relieve the garrison. He ttustcd that a few months would sslve the problem. June 13. The prosecutor of General Baratleri demands that he shall be confined 10 years in a fortress, Jane 14. The charge against General Barabieri is of attacking a strong position held by the Shoans whoa defeat was inevitable. It is

reported that he will be acquitted,, as the judges are equally divided. Bbussels, Jane H The Belgians are sending an expedition to the South Pole. The Government will contribute L4OOO towards the cost. Madrid, Jane 9, Several Spanish cities voluntarily contribute vessels to the navy, in imitation of the example set by Barcelona. Martial law is proclaimed at Baroelpna. An Anarchists' centre has been discovered and some important documents seizad. June 10. Forty-saven Anarchists have been arrested ab Barcelona and a quantity of bombs seized. Teheban, June 0. The Shah has permanently remitted the taxes on bread and meat, and he announoes his intention to maintain friendly relations with the Powers comprising the Triple Alliance. Tokio, Jane 12. The Government have ordered four ironclads and six oruisers from England. Capetown, June 8. African experts declare that it will cost a million sterling to extirpate rinderpest in the Rand. Four hundred Matabele were killed in the fight on Sunday. June 11. Gifford's column defeated an impi numbering 1500 at Ungnsa with the loss of 30 killed. Gibbs cleared the Malabala Hills, burning all the kraals they came across. Jane 14. The natives are making their way in large numbers towards the Zambesi, followed by Colonel Plummer. Jane 15. The Orange Free State has invited the Cape and Natal to take part in the Customs Union Conference. Washington, June 15. Experts believe that the St. Louis Convention will adopt a gold standard. Messrs Morton and Reed refused nomination for the Vice-presidency of the United/States. San Fbancieoo, Jaae 11. Miss Mayne Worrall, a wealthy English visitor bound for Australia, died suddenly at the Palace Hotel. At the inquest the verdict was that death was the result of poison. ♦