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Waikato Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1500, 6 March 1903, Page 2

HOME & FOREIGN.

CABLEGRAMS.

[Pi.R UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION"] |BY ELECTRIC TKI.FOKAPH — COPYRIGHT]

COLONIAL LEGISLATION AND FINANCE. London, March -1. LoitDS RoSKBEKY and Hampden and uianj' bankers and merchants were present on the occasion of an address delivered by Mr Wise, Attorney- General of New South Wales, before the Australasian Chamber of Commerce. Mr Wise, in the course of his speech, treated the socialistic legislation of Australasia as an experiment that need not excite al/irni. and declared that no couutry offered greater security to capital than New South Wales, because none offered greater political and industrial stability. He denied that the cost ot old age pensions was excessive, and said tbat no measure was more likely to enhance the financial stability of the State since it gave the workmen a stake in tho couutry. The industrial arbitra'ion legislation, he declared, worked most effectually for industrial peacr, aud increased tho stability of capital by securing industrial continuity and teaching employers and employed that their differences were not irreconcilable. It enormously increased the making of industrial agreements and stopped sweating. He said the incident of the exclusion of English hatters at Sydney had been exaggered, but it had proved a splendid advertisement for a new industry. The exclusion Act was intended to prevent the evils so conspicuous in tho East End of London. It was grotesque to assert that the Act was inimical to the advent of the right class of immigrants. The Customs Tax levied udou mail steamers was uot, he said, intended to differentiate against British shipping, but was purely a fiscal measure. He condemned the ludicrous charges against Australian credit. Repudiation was, he declared, unthinkable. The Australian debt was light compared with Britain's if the cost of railways, waterworks, and municipal works was added. Australians, he said, had not lost any of the essential honesty which was characteristic of Englishmen. THE COLONIAL CONFERENCE. London, March 5. The House of Commons is discussing the supplementary vote of the Colonial Department. Mr Austen Chamberlain, replying to allegations of the negative results of the Premiers' Conference in London, said that any increased contribution to Imperial defence must be free aud spontaneous. The resolution adopted by the Conference with regard to preferential trade within the Empire was receiving the Imperial Government's most careful attention. The Standard declares that the selfgoverning colonies cannot be expected to mprge their own preparations in a general scheme to defence until, ttrty are convinced that the Imperial army and navy are administered on a thoroughly scientific and comprehensive plan. BRITISH AND AMERICA. London, March 5. Mr Choato, the American Ambassador, entertaiued by the Pilgrims' Club, in the course of a speech attributed the improved relations bet ween Britain and America to the popular will of each country. Moreover, Lord Salisbury's and Lansdowue's uniform candour, fairness and friendliuess had on every question helped to maintain these cordial relations. And he could not ignore King Edward's influence as heartily cementing the union.

THE LATE GALES. London, March 4. The steamer Killarney lost three lifeboats while carrying a line aboard the Luna. The captain then declared that be had no tow-rope, contradicting his previous statement. The Killarney then left the Luna, which was lost a few hours afterwards with 14 hands. The vessel and cargo were worth £IO,OOO. The Merion has been re-Hoated. THE PANAMA AGREEMENT. Washington, March 5. Senator Morgan is tryiug to prevent the ratification of the Panama Canal agreement. He has already spoken 200,000 words in opposition iu the Senate. The Panama Company has extended America's option of purchase until the ratification is secured. THE IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. London, March o. In the House of Commons Mr Arnold Foster's proposal to transfer certain coaling stations from the War Office to the Admiralty has been abandoned. Mr Ritchie promised an inquiry with reference to the Unemployed Conference's request for the appointment of a Minister of Commerce and Industry. L.C.C. AND THE BANK. London, March 4. Lord Welby, ex-chairman of the Loudon County Council, dealing with the Bank of England's refusal to advance money, declares that the Council is financially sound, and that the sinking fund is sufficient to pay the entire debt in o"t years. TBE CITY TEMPLE. London, March -1. Tho Rev. Reginald John Campbell, pastor of the Union Church at Brighton, has succeeded Dr. Parker in the pastorate of the City Temple. ALASKA BOUNDARY TREATY. New York, March 1. Tho ratifications of the Alaska Boundary Treaty have beeu exchanged at 'Washington. MISCELLANEOUS. London, March 4. Mr ITofFmeyer's pacific appeals to the Bond party have been gazetted. Germauy is much perturbed by American capitalists ofl'eriutr to construct a land-graut railway from Destcrro and Santa Catherina in Brazil to the Argentine frontier, hopes of a great German settlemei(f in Brazil. The Lambeth Magistrate sentenced nine collectors walking with an unemployed procession to one day's imprisonment on charges of streetbegging, and threatened them with a month's imprisonment if again convicted.