GENERAL SUMMARY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 667, 13 July 1870, Page 3

GENERAL SUMMARY.

London, May 20. The Government have agreed to guarantee a million loan for New Zealand, at the request of the Commissioners. It is thought that Canada will be able to compete with Taranaki in the matter of ironsand. A debate took place in the House of .Commons, on April 26, on Mr Torrens' motion for a select committee to inquire into the political relations and modes of official communication between, selfgoverning colonies and the Mother Country. The committee to report what modifications are desirable, and to offer practical suggestions as to the restriction of the Imperial veto and the appointment of diplomatic envoys by the colonies. Mr Eastwick seconded the motion, dwelling mainly on the commercial advantages resulting from colonies. Viscount Bury moved " the previous question." ELe* denied the existence of colonial discontent,, and feared that the proposed inquiry would irritate the colonies, and precipitate a rupture. He would prefer a Eoyal Commission. Mr Monsell defended the policy of the Government and denied the existence of a colonial grievance. He contended that an inquiry like that proposed would produce jealousy and ill-feeling. Mr Gladstone closed the debato by assum ing full responsibility for all that had been done. He declared that no new policy has been inaugurated, but only the development and application of principles acted on by former ministries. He, justified the withdrawal of the troops as beneficial to the colonists, and refused to consent to the proposed committee. The previous question was carried by a majority of 43. The vagueness of Torrens' motion is universally condemned. If it bad been confined to an inquiry into New Zealand affairs, the discussion would in all probability have had a different and definite result. < The warnings and remonstrances oi the friends of the colonies have not, however, been lost on the Government,

which has announced, since the debate, | that Parliament will be asked to guarantee a loan of £1000,000 to New Zealand, for road making, promotion of immigration, and for the purpose of employing friendly natives in suppressing rebellion. The newspapers j acquiesce in this concession. The Brindisi route is likely to be forced on the Government; three days are gained occasionally by it over the Marseilles route. The Queen left Osborne for Windsor on the 7th inst. ; after remaining twelve days, she left on the 19th for i Scotland. Her Majesty held a drawingroom on the 10th inst., and a State concert was given at Buckingham Palace on the following evening. A State ball took place on the 18th. The Prince of Wales held a levee on the 4th inst., at St. James's Palace ; 150 presentations were made. Another levee is fixed for the 30th. The title of the National Emigration | League has been changed to the National Colonial and Emigration I League. Its scope is enlarged to include the advocacy of a policy in favour ol retaining the colonies as part of the Empire. The 18th Eegt. is to remain in Australia till August. Princess Christian was safely delivered of a daughter on the 3rd inst. The new buildings for the University of London were opened on the 11th, at Burlington Gardens, by the Queen, in presence of a brilliant company, and with great ceremonial pomp. On May 14, a new Hall was opened at the Inns of Court. Princess Louisa and Prince Christian were present. The Prince was elected a Bencher. On April 30, the President and Council of the Royal Academy entertained a distinguished company in the new galleries of the Academy, in Piccadilly. The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge were among the speakers. Prince Arthur is expected home in July. The Earl of Minto has been invested with the Order of the Thistle. The High Commissioners of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland this year is James Bryce, Oxford Professor of Civil Law. The Bishops of Chichester and St. Asaph have been consecrated. Earl De Grey and Ripon has been installed Grand Master of the Freemasons, and Earl Carnarvon Deputy Grand Master. An address costly and testimonials were presented to the Earl of Zetland on retiring from the office of Grand Master. Mr Barnes, Ex-Mayor of Manchester, has given £16,000 for the erection of a Hospital. The new Stanley Park has been opened at Liverpool. The statue of Mr Gladstone, by Acton, presented to the corporation of Liverpool, has been unveiled in St. George's Hall. A ship canal from Liverpool to Manchester is proposed. Three matches between the American yacht Sappho and the English yacht Cambria have been sailed during the month. In the first, the Sappho won by fifteen miles ; the second fell through by the Cambria refusing to start ; and in the third the ■ Sappho was again victorious. The Prince of Walea has offered a cup for competition between American and British yachts of 100 tons and upwards. The Marquis of Hartington has brought in a Ballot Bill in the House of Commons. The half-penny stamp on newspapers and book packets comes into force on October 1. Obituary. — Earl Howe, Prince Demidoff, Sir E. Antrobus, the Dean of Rochester, Marshal Hess, Richard Tattersall (head of the firm), Lady Auckland, the Rev. A. Campbell, Rector of Liverpool, Count Stackleberg (Russian Ambassador at the French Court), M. Villemain (Secretary of the French Academy), General Grey, M. Marie (a French lawyer.)