HOME & FOREIGN

Waikato Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1501, 7 March 1903, Page 2

HOME & FOREIGN

SOUTH AFRICA. Capetown:, March 5. Lord Milneu, in opening a railway conference at Johannesburg, announced a proposal to pool the receipts of South African railways. It was estimated that the necessary extensions would require an expenditure of £10,000,000, and £5,000,000 out of guaranteed loan would bo devoted to these extensions. It was the duty of the conference to determine which extension was most urgent, and whether the others might not advantageously be built privately. The net profits of the first financial year would bo £2,500,000, but when the contemplated reductions in through and inland rates weie mot the railways of the two colonies would lose £375,000. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. London, March 5. In the House of Commons the Government negatived the proposed harbour and dock on the eastern side of Gibraltar on the ground of great expense, and that it would not yield adequate results as a means of Imperial defence. Mr Hanbury introduced his Butter Adulteration Bill, and Mr Forster introduced a bill for allowing under future engagements a portion of the twelve years' service in the navy to be completed in the reserve, extending the limits of the number in the reserve, and enrolling nival reserve volunteeis as blue-jackets, stokers, and as voluuteers in connection with the marines, all to be liable to serve anywhere in war-time. London, March 0. In the House of Commons the Hon. A. J. Balfour announced that a new naval port and base would be established at St. Marv's Hope, on the north side of the Firth of Forth, in. accordance with the Committee's recommendation in January last. The announcement was received with cheers. The Hon. Mr Brodrick announced that a Royal Commission to inquire into the service pay of the militia and voluuteers would be set up. THE LIBERAL PARTY. London, March 5. Mr Balfour, speakiug at the Nonconformist Unionists' Association banquet, emphasised the great issue still existing between the two great parties. The one was seeking to dissolve the union, the other was determined to maintain it. Referring to Lord Rosebery's recent statement that the Liberal Party was like the caterpillar separated from its leaf, Mr Balfour said that if the caterpillar had tried as many diets as Lord Rosebery confessed it was because no programme was natural to the party, which must wearily dig for a policy. He added that the danger is with the Irish party, to gain the support of which the Liberals would revert to Home Rule. In the middle party that Lord Rosabery was trying to form there was no security of Imperial interests nor against Home Rule. U.S.A. NAVY. Washington, March 5. Congress has finally adopted the the naval appropriation of £16,000. Provision is made for three battleships ranging from 13,000 to 10,000 tons. Congress has added 3000 men to the navy, and voted a million and a-half dollars for target practice, 120,000 being devoted to prizes for niarksnianubip. America's huge naval programme is interpreted as a reply to the German and Austrian attempts to revive the Central European Customs' boycott against the United States. The movement is regarded as impracticable, and as being merely an adroit weapou to advance Germany's econamic policies with regard to her colonies. THE MONROE DOCTRINE. Berlin, March 3. Many distinguished German jurists are expressing opinions hostile to the Monroe Doctrine. Professor Wagner declares that it is nothing more than empty pretension, unsupported by real power. BRIGANDS IN THE PHILIPPINES. New York, March 5. News has been received that the robber bauds, known as ladroues, had surprised and captured the town of Ons, in the province of Albay, on Luzon, in the Philippine Islands, and killed two and captured 15 of the constabulary. Several companies of American scouts have been sent to restore order. SHOP HOURS' REGULATION London, March 5. The House or Commons agreed to a resolution submitted by Mr R. J. Price, member for Norfolk East, affirming the desirability of borough and district councils regulating the closing of shops, and the limiting of hours of shop labour. The Government sympathised with the proposal, though it was stated that it would be impossible to legislate thereon this session. MISCELLANEOUS. London, March 5. Mr J. C. Williatusou has engaged Miss Ada Crossley for 25 concerts in Australasia, appearing in Melbourne in August or September next, a firstclass English company accompanying her, Mr Williamson accepts all responsibility for Miss Crossley's relinquishing engagements. A highly successful tour of America is now proceeding. The Russian cruiser Going, from China, has arrived at Aden. A Russian engineer attempting to enter the fortifications at Aden was arrested. The estate of the late Sir Arthur Hodgson has been sworn at nearly £OO,OOO. King Edward has granted a reception to Bishop Stone Wigg, the first Bishop of New Guiuea. The warship Torch is being reconimissioned. , An explosion of gasoline in a marine boat at Portsmouth injured four sailors. In connection with the Humbert trial it is intended to liberate Maria Daurionac, owiug to her suffering from a weak mind . The leading Hambury shipping firms, including Bellen, Wovermuuu and Wolff, have formed an association to train sailors and eucourgo braverv at sea. The Kaisoc has becema a member.