CABLEGRAMS.

Western Star, Issue 2219, 5 July 1898, Page 3

CABLEGRAMS.

HOME AMD FOREIGN. rPRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAMS. | London. The South Wales coal owners insist on the retention of the sliding scale of wages but the miners refuse to accept it The wages paid unassociated miners are 32* per cent above the rate ruling before the strike. Reports from Hungary slate that a cloud-burst and hailstones have injured the vine and corn harvests to the exof thirty million florins. The warship Mohawk has hoisted the British flag on the Santa Cruz and Duff group of islands, stretching between the New Hebrides and Solomons.

[Captain Huggett of the missionary vacht Southern Cross, says that although the annexation of Santa Cruz is not of great importance in itself, yet it forms another link in the chain of British possessions Southward from the Solomon Islands. The New Hebrides group remains to complete the chain, but it is at present under the satisfactory joint protection of Britain and France The Santa Cruz islands are very seldom visited by any vessel except the Southern Cross. The population of the annexed island is 20,000 and there are only three of four white men among them.] Signor- Pelous, the Italian Premier, proposes to gradually abolish the state of seige under which disturbed districts in Italy were placed during the recent revolutionary outbreak. Marquis Rudini, ex-Premier, supports this action. At the wool sales there was keen competition but prices remain unchanged. There were but few withdrawals.

At the wool sales merinos wereveiy firm and crossbreds unchanged. The Oreti clip realised 7|d ; Clydevale, B*d

Four British warships are at present at Manila and the commander at Hong Ivong has received orders to reinforce them if necessary. Mr Henniker Heaton slates that the Canadian delegates to the Postal Convention will move a resolution in favour establishing an Imperial penny post except inland. The delegate from the Cape will second the mo'ion. The Duke of Norfolk will, he says, assent to the proposal. Mr Heaton urges the Australian colonies not to oppose the proposal, but to join the union when they are able. At Bow street Alfred John Monson, Victor Honour (money lender), Percival Norgate, and Robert Metcalf were charged with conspiring to defraud the Norwich Union Insurance Company and remanded. Detectives declare that Monson and Norgate have turned Queen’s evidence.