BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2664, 5 April 1905, Page 49

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

LONDON, March 27. A Moorish hotel guide stabbed Mr Harris, The Times' correspondent at Tangier, -in the stomach. The dagger glanced off Mr Harris's watchguard, and caused only a slight wound. Armed bands outside Canea (the capital of Crete) demand a more liberal Constitution, and protest against the appointment of Greeks from the mainland to all lucrative posts. British troops are patrolling the district.

Mr Chamberlain, in a letter to The Times, explains that his references to the late Lord Salisbury's views were based on passages in his speeches, and maintains it was clear tfiaT up to the date of his resignation Lord Salisbury approved) of both retaliation and colonial preference. March 28.

King Edward and Queen Alexandra visit Copenhagen early in April on the occasion -61 King Christian's birthday. ■ The directors of the New Zealand Shipping Company have declared a dividend at fihe rate of 5 "per cent..

Mr Urodrick; -'announced in the House of Commons ~4hat there had! been 252,567 deaths~from plague in India during January- and February.

The Royal Society and Lister Institution are sending an expedition to study the bacteriology of plague. The investigation. "will probably last several years.

Mr Keir-Hardie raised a discussion in the House of Commons relative to underfed children.

Dr. Macnamara stated that there were a million .such.

Sir John Gorst suggested that the Poor Law Officers in areas where distress is known to prevail should provide meals and charge the parents.

Sir William Anson, Under-secretaTy for Education, thought the suggestion worthy of consideration, and promised to confer with the Local Government Board). He dwelt on the danger of undermining the independence and self-reliance of parents and breaking up family life. If the House acted rashly the country might be committed to free meals ; then \clothes and boots would be demanded. BERLIN, March 28.

The German colonists in, Samoa have strongly appealed to Countyvon Bulow for greater protection for the -natives. Count yon. Bulow in" t-lie Reichstag explained) that the Mining Law Amendment Bill was intended to remove grievances which the recent strike Tevealed. He hoped to prevent future disputes on an extensive scale. The strike caused the loss of millions in wages, while the losses to industry and commerce w.ere even greater. If it had continued it would have impaired Germany's prospects in the world's markets.