NEWS BY CABLE

Southland Times, Issue 13419, 2 April 1896, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE

British and Foreign

CHURCH PATRONAGE QUESTIONED,

VICTORIAN FINANCE

THE BANKS RUN FREE,

PLENTY OF WATER AT COOLGARDIE

AFFAIRS IN SOUTH AFRICA

THE MATABELE RISING,

FRANCE DOES NOT TAKE STOCK IN

CELESTIAL LOANS.

SUAKIM THREATENED

PRIMARV EFFECT OF FREETRADE

IN NEW SOUTH WALES,

United Press Association — By Electbic

Telegraph — Copyright. )

LONDON, Apeil 1

The Church Associate n ia peti Lion ing the House of Commons for an enquiry into the use of their patronage by Piime Ministers and Bishops. M. Btihant, one of the Panama Canal fraud prisoners, has been released from gaol. M. Bourgeois states that all foreign treaties with Madagascar before the country passed into the possession of France are nullified, and that foreigners will be subject to a tariff similar to that French traders were under ia 1892.

T-vcufcy-five fishermen were carried out to sea on an iceflow off the coast of Finland. A Bteamer has gone in search ( f them. Lord Glffotd, a director of the British Sonfh Africa Cimpany, has received a telegram stating that the position of affairs at liuluwrvyo i8 very serious, and all mining is suspended. The attitude of the extremist Boer3 ia such that it hn.s led Mr Chambeil iio to warn President Krujer of hia responsibility for the safety tf the lives of the Johannesburg Keform League Committee held prisoners by him in Pretoria.

Received Ist, 10.10 p.m.

All the s.s. Aberdeen's rabbits, the bulk of the poultry, and a portion of the meat in the forehold have been spoiled by the accident to the freezing machinery and have been condemned.

Sir J. Gorßt's Education Bill his passed its first reading. Sir H. Robinson has informed 'the Imperial Government that the Matabele are massing at Katopo, and he is afraid that business by the southern roads will be interrupted on account of the danger from the natives. They are reported to have plenty of arms. '

The Chartered Company are enlisting 500 recruits, thejofficials "being afraid that the rising of the^Matabele may become general. M. Camborne, French Ambassador, has had private audience with the Sultan. It is reported that B*ron Courseil, French Ambssador in London, is resigoing on account of differences with Premier Bour-

geoiß. O3man Digna threatens Sinkat, and a battalion of Soudanese marching on Dongola has been diverted to Tokar.

Received 2nd, 1 a.m,

All the natives within a radius of 15 miles of Buluwayo have risen, and a body of them haa gathered at Kamirider. Buluwayo \a obtaining supplies from the north. Sir H. Robinson thinks the force at Buluwayo will be sufficient for the defence of the place, but will not be able to send out flying columns.

The French Premier Btafeed in the Chamber that the Government would decline to have anything to do with the Chinese loan because the security offered (the balance of the Customs revenue) was already mortgaged. He had received an assurance that the West river (Canton river) would nofc be opened to the British until France was granted the right fio construct a railway from their possessions into the interior. The Government was watching Chinese selection of British officers. M. Bourgeois added that the agreement with Russia was never more complete or cordial.

Received 2nd, 1.15 a.m,

The Matabele have an ample supply of provisions, and are said to be good shots. They have fortified & position at Matipopo, where an attack upon them by Mr Selons was repulsed. Lord Gifford, however, repulsed a body of 1200 natives and rescued a party of 36. Five hundred volunteers are ot the way from Griqualand. It is reported that the Transvaal Government has offered assistance.

The situation at Suakim is critical. Col. Parson? and some officials hive left Wada Haifa to organise the defence of that port with one Soudanese and two Egyptian battalions.

After the conclusion of the debate in the Chamber the Premier had ;i long conference with Baron Mohrenheim, the Russian Ambassador.