LATE WIRES.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 18, Issue 40, 17 May 1907, Page 5

LATE WIRES.

[By Telegraph—Special to Guardian] The Colonies and Preference. RECIPROCITY NOT FEA I LK. London, May 16, Mr Winston Churchill, Undersecretary for the Colonies, replying in the House of Commons to a question, on Tuesday, said the Premiers had made it clear that as their policy is to protect their producers from British or foreign competition they cannot in any way reciprocate the free and unrestricted access accorded to them in Britain’s markets. The Imperial Government, on the other hand, were not prepared to place new taxes on foreign imports into the United Kingdom for the purpose of affording further advantage to the self-governing colonies. (Cheers). No question had arisen of balancing a change in the colonial policy of protection against a change in the Motherland’s free trade policy.

The Exhibition Seals.

Christchurch, Last Night. The seals which were exhibited at the Exhibition were liberated at New Brighton, near Christchurch, on Tuesday. The. largest went out to sea immediately, but the smaller and tamer ones came ashore again for a time. Finally, all took to the sea.

A Mysterious Disease.

DEATH OF TWO GIRLS. UNUSUAL PRECAUTIONS BEING TAKEN. Auckland, Last Night. Suspicious .circumstances in connection with the death of a girl named Kitchen, who died rather suddenly on Monday, have induced the authorities to adopt unusual precautions pending a bacterological examination to ascertain whether the cause of death was blood-poisoning. The. strictest measures have been taken in enforcing a quarantine at the late residence of the deceased and at the business places in Queen Street where she was employed. Following on the death on Sunday, from acute septiciemia, of Miss Kitchen, a young woman of about twenty-five who had been employed at the same place of business as typist developed similar symptoms to-day, and died on the way to the Hospital. Strict precautions are being taken to prevent the spread of the disease.

Illness of the Acting-Premier. Wellington, Last Night, It will be learned with regret that the Acting-Premier is far from well, and is confined to his bed. Mr HallJones has of late felt the pressure of public duties, and needs a few days’ rest.

Rates on Native Lands. New Plymouth, May 14. This afternoon the Chairman of the Taranaki County Council and the Chairman of the Clifton County Council interviewed the Minister of Native Affairs and discussed with him the question of recovery of rates levied on Native lands. The deputation pointed out that Maoris were in many cases farming lands and conveying milk to dairy factories, using the roads to the same extent as Europeen settlers, bnt they paid no rates. The local bodies were loth to go to the expense of Court proceedings, for there was a clause in the Native Land Rating Act, 1904, which stipulated that no judgment secured against a Maori for payment of rales could be acted upon without the consent of the Native Minister. The Native it was believed, sheltered behind this clause, and declined to pay. The deputation asked Mr Carroll to state definitely if he could allow this to continue, or whether he would give consent to the local body proceeding to the fullest extent against the property of Natives in order to secure payment of rales due. The Minister told the deputation to “ fire away." That was what he wanted, If he had to take a Maori to Court and judgment were obtained ,he would see that the rates were paid, even if he had to take the land and pay the rates himself.

A Royal Birth.

London, May 14. Queen Victoria of Spain has been accouched of a son. King Alfonso's first message announcing the fact was sent to King Edward, his wife's uncle. Salutes were fired at Gibraltar and other stations. There are tremendous rejoicings all over Spain. Dr Bryden Glendinning, of Napier, New Zealand, assisted at the accouchement. The 5 marriage of the Princess Ena (daughter of Princess Beatrice of Battenberg), who subsequently adopted the honoured title of Queen Victoria, to King Alfonso of Spain, took place on 31st May, of last year. Besides the blood union which it involved of the Royal houses of England and Spain, the marriage was remarkable for two things—the opposition to the Princess’s adoption of the Catholic faith, and the sensational outrage following the marriage ceremony in Madrid. On the return from the Church to the Palace a bomb was thrown at the Royal carriage, the explosion killing twenty-three persons and injuring ninety-nine. Their Majesties bad a miraculous escape, being quite uninjured. The assassin, a Spanish anarchist named Morral, on being challenged, shot a Policeman dead and then shot himself.