LATE CABLE NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5573, 22 March 1886, Page 3

LATE CABLE NEWS.

[Peu Pejoss Association.] (Per a.B. Manapouri, via the Bluff.) PROPOSED IMPERIAL FEDERATION COUNCIL. FRANCE AND THE NEW HEBRIDES. LIBEL ACTIONS. THE CRUISE OF H.M.S. DIAMOND. AN OFFICIAL ENQUIRY SOUGHT. [Age Specials.] LONDON, Mabch 8. The Duke of Cambridge will preside at the farewell dinner to be given on April 7 to Mr Murray Smith. The Secretary of State for the Colonies, Earl Granville, haa promised to attend. Mabch 9. Mr Howard Vincent, M.P., has made a suggestion in the House of Commons to the ■effect that a meeting of the Imperial Federation Council should take place in London during the holding of the Colonial and Indian Exhibition. The Imperial Government are oonsidering the desirability of subsidising a line of ateamera between Vancouver's Island, Hongkong, and Japan. March 10. A motion has been brought forward in the Houb6 of Commons for the disestablishment throughout Wales of the Church •f England. The motion was rejected by a majority of only twelve votes. Mabch 11. It is reported that the Government of Prance have communicated with the English Government intimating that they desire to annex the New Hebrides, and asking to bo released from the agreement entered into between France and England, under which both nations bound themselves to respect the independence of the Islands in question. The French Government, on their part, promise that if acquiescence be given to this request, they will not transport recidivistee to the Islands. Mab«h 13. The Times and Standard commenting on the libel case, Bryce v. Rusden, speak approvingly of the verdict in plaintiff's favour. It is stated that an action will be brought against Dr Hadfield, late Anglican Bishop •fc\ Wellington, New Zealand, and Sir Arthur Gordon, late Governor of New Zealand. March 14. Mr Gladstone has submitted to tho Cabinet his Irish land purchase scheme. Mr Gladntone's scheme provides that money Bhall be advanced by the Treasury, and that the Irish Parliament which it is proposed to create bhall control the expenditure. Mabch 16. Tho attention of the Government has been drawn to the published accounts of the cruise of H.M.S. Diamond, of the Australian squadron, amongst the Pacific Islands in October and November last, when, in order to punish the natives of some of the islands for murder, British settlers' villages were burnt, and canoes and other property destroyed as an alternative course, on the native chief refusing to hand over the murderers. Government have been urged to take action with the view of mat king their disapproval of th« conduct of the officers of the Diamond, but they have decided to wait until the official report of the cruise is received before expressing an opinion as to whether tho action taken was censurable or otherwise.