A Summary of News

Southland Times, Issue 18019, 15 December 1902, Page 2

A Summary of News

Tho Archbishop of Canterbury’s weakness is so pronounced that it is causing grave anxiety. The plumbers’, cabinetmakers’, bootmakers’, butchers’, and dockers’ societies in Marseilles have voted in favour of a general strike. Added to the strike among the sailors this list is alarming. Both parties in the Japanese House of Commons resist the Government’s resorting to taxation instead of economies in the railways and telegraphs. The Government purpose carrying out a naval programme which all approve. The Mikado and the peers support the Government. The Countess of Dudley is improving. Britain has entered into a treaty with Abbyssinia, obtaining valuable rights. The Victorian Treasurer delivers his Budget address'on Thursday. It will probably show a deficit of £900,000, and probably announce new taxation, including the lowering of the income tax exemption, and an alteration of probate duties. The most recent news in regard to the Venezuelan trouble is that active preparations for defence are being made by President Castro and his followers. An effort was made to get America to arbitrate, but she will not directly undertake that duty, merely consenting to the American Minister in Venezuela acting in the interests of peace at the request of Castro, and not as the representative of the United States Jhe Powers have agreed not to seize territory in lieu of indemnity, nor will they permanently occupy.