Cablegrams.

Western Star, Issue 932, 21 March 1885, Page 3

Cablegrams.

(Kuutsk’s Speciax.) HOME AND FOREIGN. T.ox pox. March If!. In the House of Lords to-dry Earl Northbrook announced that the Colonies of Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia, had applied to the Imperial Government for advice as to the formation of a Colonial navy, and the Admiralty had replied that it would readily, and indeed was anxious to assist the Colonies in the matter. A European convention for the settlement of the Egyptian financial question has been signed in London by the delegates of the Powers concerned. Ala rch 17. In the House of Lords last ids’ll', on Hie motion of Kml Wey mss, a resolution wis adopte 1 conveying an address to the Queen, thrnkieg her Majesty for in cei ling the loyal oiler of New Sooth V' ah s ai.d expressing satisfaction that similar c C'ers of olln-r Colonies would be aeeci ted at 111- time. The ino'ion was warn ly .-upporlcd ly Lords Derby and Salisbury. In the House of Commons to-day Air Ghu‘stone announced that in reply to a 1 el-gram to the Russian Government requesting confirmation of the agreement recently entered into wit h M. I)e Stuar (the Imperial Amhisfad r j in Loudon), to the (ffeor, that no further advance of troops should take place in Afghan istan, M. De Gicrs, tne Russian Minister of Foreigh Affairs, had replied that the Russian troops would not advance unless the Afghans did so, or unless troubles occurred at Pei j Deb, near which place the Russian Iroops me now encamped. In his spi cell before the Colonial Institute last evening, Sir Frediick Broome, Governor i of Western Austiirlia. strongly urged the | development of the railway system of that 1 Colony. March 18.

It is stated that the German Government has offered its services with the view oi bringing about an amicable settlement of the Eranco-Chincse difficulty. March. 19. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh, and Prince Albert Victor started to-dey for Berlin, to attend the festivities to be held in connection with the celebration of Emperor William’s birthday. It has transpired that Mr Gladstone in November last demanded that Russia should withdraw the troops from Sarakhs, on the Afghan frontier, but the Russian Government refused, and the demand thereupon lapsed. Hongkong, March 10. News is to hand that tho P. and 0. steamer Surat, while in Chinese waters recently, was stopped and searched for contraband of war by French war vessels. The British squadron in the Chinese seas has been ordered to rendezvous in this port. Berlin, March 17. The Reichstag has passed a bill granting subsidies to trans-occanic steamer lines, including an Australian service. March 18. A disastrous mining explosion occurred to-day at Saarbruck, in Rhenish Prussia, by which 200 miners were entombed. Suakim, March 18. It is expected that the British troops, under Gen. Graham, will next week advance against the rebels under Osman D;gna, "'ho has collected in the neighborhood of this place a considerable force. March 19. Gen. Graham has summoned Osman Cigna to surrender in order to avoid bloodshed. (Special to Melbocbne Papkes.) London, March 13. Sir Evelyn Ashley has stated in the House of Commons that England would never surrender the New Hebrides for the purpose of penal settlements. March 14. The wheat maiket is firmer. Warehouse wheat is bringing 36s 6d. February shipments have been sold at 3ns 91. Off-coast cargoes for shipment to tbe Ooi.tinent have also been sold at 35s 9d. The shipment, of frozen meat by the Aruwa from New Zealand is realising 6d. That by the Austral Irom Sydney is being sold at 4|d. War risks are now demanded on vessels leaving for Australia. March 16 Mr Murray-Smith, Agent General fur Victoria, delivered an address on federation at Cambridge on Saturday. Prince Albert Victor attended, ai d Mr W. E. Forster made & powerful sp ecb at the conclusion of M* Smith’s address. A branch of the Federation League was formed. In the House of Commons to-day Sir Gladstone nnnounei d that it. had been agreed between England and Ru sia hat no further advance of (he troops slioul I be made on either side in Afghanistan ; that the question of delineation of the frontier was under diplomatic treatment, but that it would bo premature to pr. nnunco an opinion as <o the possibility cf a s lutim b-nig arrived at. In the* House of Commons to-day a vote

was passed granting £20,000 io the family of the late General Gordon. The motion was carried without debate. A committee was appointed to undertake the formation of a national memorial to the late General Gordon, and it is recommended to erect a hospital at Port Said. Sir livelyn Ashler, Under-Ci-loninl Secretary, replying to a ques i n, said lint pTiering was proceeding wiih a view to England having ( ? aban lon ng) lur mills in ihe Soii ty Islands and Port Tahiti in favor of-F-an. e in return for ceitain wipncal advantages. The position taken up by England in fcne negotiations wou'd be duly n indful of the interests of Australia. When speaking last night regarding th» Anglo-German parleying, Mr Gladstone said the Government desired only a fair division of territory on ihe north-east coast of New Guinea. March 17, At a meeting of the Royal Colonial Institute, at which the Prince of Wales presided, a paper on “ Perth” was read by Sir F. N. Broome, Governor of Western Australia. Prince Albert Victor, Lord Rosebery, and Lord Derby were present. The Prince of Wales, in his speech, stated that the militaryoffers showed that the Colonies clung loyally to England, and that their spontaneous action in the matter was very gratifying. Ho further stated that if he was personally unable to visit the Colonies he would always entertain the liveliest interest in them. Sir Napier Broome, as well as Sir Arthur Blyth, Agent-general for South Australia, strongly advocated the necessity of fortifying Albany, Germany has subsidised a line of steamers to Australia and the East. It is stated in Berlin that the voyage to Sydney will bo performed in 30 days. Lord Derby states that Admiral Tryon is in possession of a plan for the purpose of securing joint action between the Australian and imperial navies. He has also power to create a federal authorities, and in order to simplify this, tho English Government are making overtures to the Colonics. March 18. The Bunk of England lias paid £1,200,000 of the New South Wales loan into the account of the New South VVales Government with the associated banks. The German territory in New Guinea h is been named Kaiser Wilhelm’s Land. The Reichstag has approved of a branch at Samoa and Tonga of Uie new German lino of glean ers to Australia. Prince Aloerl Victor bus been initialed into Freemasonry. INTERCOLONIAL. Melbouhke, March 17. It is stated that the Indian Government have engaged ID steamers of the British India and four of tho P. and 0. Co.’s lines as transports. , , The Age asserts the accuracy ot its statement as to the precautions taken for the safety of the various public buildings. Sir W. Jervois has returned to Melbourne from Adelaide. March 18. A special Cabinet Council was held to-claj

le consider I lie question of local defences. Sir Wil in in Jervois and Major-General Sera’chby were j resent to confer «Mi Ministers. Tie result) i f ilie Hireling have been kept secret Sypxey, March 17.

The New South Wales Parliament was opened to-day by Lord Augustus Loftus. Tim Governor in his Speech to the members of the Legislature said they were called together to take the necessary stops to give legislative sanction to the course adopted by the Ministry in conveying’ to Englan 1 an offer of assistance to the Soiiduu. The Government in making the offer considered it necessary in the critical state of affairs that the help should be immediately available, as any delay would have had the effect of rendering it useless. His Excellency expiessed the highest gratification at the course pursued, which had awakened a feeling of loyalty in the Australasian colonies, and had evoked sentiments of admiration and gratitude in the Mother Country. In the Legislative Assembly this afternoon, Air Badgon moved the address in reply to the Governor’s Speech, and Mr Henry Clarke moved an amendment to the effect that the action of the Government was unconstitutional. lie regretted the duty of proposing the amendment had not fallen into better hands ; but as Sir John Robinson had expressed his intention to support the Government in the matter, he had been chosen by a number of the Opposition members. March 19. Hi the Legislative Council the Address-in-Rcply to the Governor’s spocch was adopted without opposition. Sir Henry Parkos announces his intention of offering himself as a candidate for the first vacant scat in the Legislative Assembly.