BRITISH & FOREIGN.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8096, 23 December 1897, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN.

Electric Telegraph— Copyright-United Press

Assoem'ion.)

n „ LONDON, Deo. 22. \ One hundred and twelve trade societies have accorded support to the movement' initiated by Mr Barnes, Secretary, and Mr Selhcks, Chairman of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, for holding a national convention of trade unionists.

The Times' St. Petersburg correspondent states that the Russian Foreign Office sent private circulars to the editors of newspapers directing them to avoid showing an unfriendly tone towards Germany's action in China. The circular stated that the sending of a Russian squadron to Port Arthur hadno political significance. Mr Barnes states it is not likely the Engineers' Conference will re-assemble. Hie committee of the Marylebone Cricket Club have recommended Mr F. C. Lacey, of Cambridge University and Hampshire, to bo appointed secretary of the club in succession to Mr H. Perkins, recently resigned. It is understood that the Victorian Government have accepted the offer of the London and Westminster Bank to continue the inscription of Government stock at a reduced rate of £250 per each million worth of stock. This means a yearly saving of £6093 compared with the present arrangements.

The Times, commenting on the situation * in China, says it is clear the occupation of Kiaochou by Germany and Port Arthur by Russia will result in a preliminary misunderstanding between the two nations, and adds if it can he shown that Great Britain's commercial and political interests in China will be injuriously affected by the recent developments it is necessary no time should be lost in preparing to take a firm course of action. Great Britain's trade and interests in China enormously out-weigh those of all other nations put together. If any agreement with France J prevents the annexing of Chusan, the navy must discover in South' China a base equally as suitable as Shanghai for the defence of British commerce.

(Received Dec. 23, 9.55 a.m.) ' Mr J. M. Sinclair, Victorian superinten- , dent of export of produce, while in Germany selected a technical staff for the Maffra Sugar Beet Co., Gippslaiid. AH the members of the staff are from the most modern sugar beet factories.

(Received Dec. 23, 11.50 a.m.) Mr Harry Musgrove has sailed for Australia. He will probably arrange for the visit of an Australian cricket team to England. The Marquis of Lansdowne states there is no desire to penalise United States or Australian leather at the War Office. The regulations merely insist that the leather required by the authorities should be British and tanned with oak bark. (ReceiveS Dec. 23, 11.5 a.m.) The Earls Court Exhibition Company purpose to hold an Australian, Canadian, and African Exhibition in 1899 for the display of commercial products, and mineral, animal, and vegetable resources. An influential, committee of advice has been appointed, including noblemen and several ex-colonial Governors. Colonial exporters are said to be favorable to the scheme.

A Reuter'a telegram from Pekin states that Great Britain demands quid pro quo if China grants concessions to other Powers.

PARIS, Dec. 22. It is stated that the French Government will remain passive with regaid to the present international development of China, provided no aggressive movement is made in Southern China. A French cruiser has been sent to N Hong Kong. CONSTANTINOPLE, Dec. 22. The foreign Ambassadors here are preparing a new scheme of autonomy for Crete, which .will provide for the appointment of a Christian Governor for a term of five years, with power to fix taxes ; also providing for the payment of an annual tribute to the Sultan. VIENNA, Dec. 22. Baron Banffy, the Hungarian Premier, has rejected a proposal to establish a Customs tariff for Hungary independent, of Austria. , A committee of the Beiohsrath has arranged: ' the Austrian Imperial Budget for 1898, upon the basis of a surplus of 53,000,000 florins. CALCUTTA, Dec. 22. Lord Klgin strongly supports the proposal o£ the Indian Council for reform o£ the sedition laws, and declares that recent events have proved the necessity of an amendment. BERLIN, Dec. 22. A Cologne newspaper, the Kolinsche Zeitung, says the partition of China has commenced, and the other Powers will soon act. NEW YORK, Dec. 22. Many American cotton employers have notified their employeV-of an intended .10 per ceut. reduction in wages.