GENERAL CABLES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue XXV, 20 December 1902, Page 1558

GENERAL CABLES.

THE VENEZUELAN CRISIS.

The member* ot the foreign Legations have left Caracas and embarked on the warships at La Guayra.

Germany claim* from Venezuela payment of 1,700,000 bolivares, this atirn representing the losses of German subjects in civil war up to 1900, •nd demands satisfactory guarantees for the payment of additional claims, totalling 3,000,000 bolivares arising out of the recent civil war; also the settlement of other claims, especially those connected with the German Venezuelan railway. The authorities at Washington are pleased that Britain is acting with Germany in demanding the settlement of claims, and regard Britain’s action as a guarantee that the Monroe Doctrine will not be infringed. In the House of Commons Mr Balfour said that Venezuela for the past two years had unjustifiably interfered with the liberty and property of British subjects, and refused to settle large claims. All efforts to obtain an amicable arrangement had been unavailing. Many representations had been made, but remained Unnoticed. An ultimatum had been presented in conjunction with Germany. If the outcome of the ultimatum were unsatisfactory it was intended to enforce the demands. The foreign Legations desiring to avoid demonstrations, did not announce their departure from Caracas. The British and German ultimatums were served at the private residence of Doctor Baralt, Minister for Foreign Affairs. The United States Minister at Caracas protects British and German interests and subjects, and undertakes informally to mediate if the opportunity is afforded. President Castro has published a statement virtually declaring . that Venezuela’s creditors must wait until internal peace is restored. He is unable to accept humiliations which would be offensive to the dignity of the Venezuelans. This statement is regarded as defiant. The captain of the British warship Retribution has sent an ultimatum to the Government at Caracas allowing Venezuela 48 hours in which to pay the sum of 34,000 dollars each to Great Britain and Germany in cash, and agreeing to settle the other claims through the medium of a mixed tribunal.

Reuter’s Agency reports that all British and Genaaua subjects in Caracas have been arrested. Reuter also state* that the British and German naval commanders have seized four Venezuelan warships at La Guayra. The British cruiser Charybdis seized the Venezuelan gunboat Bolivar at Port of Spain. She detained the officers and landed the crew on the "V eneEuelan coast. The torpedo-boat Quail ha* started from Trinidad to seize a vessel guarding the Orinoco. The British squadron Is blockading the Venezuelan eoast to La Cuayra and the German from La Guayra to the. Colombian border.

It is believed they have united to seize the Customhouses.

President Castro informed the British and German representatives that he deemed the seizur ■ cf warships lying at the quays arbitrary and unprecedented and calculate 1 to raise the indignation of the Venezuelan* to the highest pitch. As a j istifiable reprisal the Government have arrested 97 Germans, and all British residents except two have been seized. The railway companies have appealed to the Venezuelans to take up arms.

Rolando Reira, a prominent leader in the late Venzuelaa revolution, has rallied 2400 rebel* with the object of making a fresh attempt at revolution. A large number of robcl* are assembling elsewhere.

President Castro has amnestied all political offender* aad restored their confiscated property. A great patriotic demonstration took place at Caraen*. The mob tried to break open the German Legation and Consulate and burned the British •nd German flag*.

The ponce did not attempt to re-

pres* the hostile demoustralious, and intense excitement prevails. The situation is regarded a* critical. Mr H. W. Bowen, the American Minister, has obtained the release of the principal British and German citizens. He is pressing for the release of the remainder.

The Venezuelan warships seined at La Guayra are vessels of no power and did not resist. President Castro, in an insolent manifesto, alleges that all the Venezuelan States are rallying to the country’* defence.

Three of the captured Venezuelan ships have bevn sunk. The fourth is claimed as belonging to France.

A force of 130 German sailors has been landed at Guayra. The sailors rescued three English directors of the Harbour Company. A British detachment landed and removed the British Vice-Consul and his family. AU the Britishers and Germans who were arrested at- La Guayra have teen liberated.

A force of 2000 Venezuelan troops under the Minister for War has arrived at Guayra, and President Castro is sending other reinforcements. The American newspapers are very hostile In their attitude towards Castro.

Diplomatists at Washington consider the arrests made after the Britishers and Germans had been placed under Anieriean protection as equivalent to an act of war.

The German newspapers rejoice at the solidarity of the aJiies in enforcing the Treaty rights. Mr. Cullam, chairman of the Foreign Committee of the U.S. Senate, thinks the attacks on helpless Venezuela wrong, and fears that President Castro will create a situation entangling the United States with the foreign Powers. The sinking of the Venezuelan warships has created a bad impression in America, and there is a general disposition to attribute the punitive character of the proceedings to Germany. The. Venezuelans have imprisoned the British and German Consuls at Porto Cabello. All adults have been summoned to the army, and President Castro is offering important commands to the rebel leaders.

The populace at La Guayra and Caracas are extremely excited, and are arming.

The reserve fleet at Devonport has been ordered to be in readinesss to sail at a day’s notice. Mr Shad forth has given notice to move in the House of Representatives, “That President Roosevelt be authorised to propose arbitration in Venezuela.” The Italian cruiser Carlo Alberto and the American gunboat Maretta have been ordered to La Guayra. Venezuelan women are filling sandbags for the defence of La Guayra. General Ferrer, Minister for War. has posted Venezuelan troops and 18 guns on the heights behind La Guayra.

Major-General Castro, the President's brother, is bringing a force of 10,000 Venezuelans, armed with Mausers -

The remainder of the foreign prisoners have been released.

Reuter’s Agency reports that President Castro has asked the American Minister for Venezuela to act as arbitrator between Venezuela and England and Germany. The “St. James’ Gazette” trusts that Great Britain will not allow herself to become entangled in Venezuela, but will restrict her action to the enforcement of her actual claims. Germany is talking of the occupation of Caracas to maintain her offended dignity. The “Standard” says that after President. Castro’s scornful treatment of the reasonable demands of the Powers arbitration cannot be substituted for a definite settlement. General Ferrer is entrenching his position on th* height* behind La Guayra. Lord Lansdowneu Secretary for Foreign Affairs, speaking at the United Service Club dinner in London, referring to the Venezuelan trouble, said that such little ebullitions are not without their advantage. He was glad to aee British and German sailors unitedly enforcing their >at demand*.

The Americans assert that Germany sunk the Venezuelan warships tn prevent the neeeaaity of removing them to British ports. The people of Caracas have seat a rommii viim of Caracas merehaats to visit the commander* of the British warship Charybdis and the German warship Vi net* at La Guayra, where the aarships are drawn up jn order of battle.

President Castro's request for arbitration has not been received iu London or Berlin, though it is understood that Colonel Hay is transmitting it. The authorities at Washington maintain an attitude of friendly reserve. It is officially suggested in Great Britain and Germany that President Roosevelt should act as mediator. HISTORY OF THE DISPUTE. The present, trouble with Venezuela had its origin in the recent revolutionary war in that much-troul>-leti republic, the most northerly of the South American confederations. Great Britain's claims are based on the seizure of railway and vessels by the Venezuelans, a nd’ill-treat ment- of Britishers, and arbitrary proceedings against British interests and property during the war. Germany claims from Venezuela payment of £ 120,000, this sum representing the losses of German subjects in civil war prior to and since 1900; also the settlement of u!J;er claims, especially those connected with the German Venezuelan railway. At the end of last month Mr W. D. Haggard, British Minister at Caracas, (the capital of Venezuela), petitioned the admiral at Bermuda to send a vrarship to La Guayra (the port of Caracas) owing to the attacks made there by the Venezuelan official press on British subjects. The British warships Retribution, Charybdis, Albert, Quail and Indefatigable were then despatched to the Venezuelan coast from Bermuda, and several German cruisers, including the Falke (formerly in the Pacific) and Vineta, went to La Guayra. Admiral Douglas lately cabled that he would be able to land a British force of SOO bluejackets and marines at La Guayra.

An American cable published yesterday stated that the authorities at Washington are pleased that Britain is acting with Germany in demanding the settlement of claims, and regard Britain’s action as a guarantee that the Monroe Doctrine will not be infringed. In the British House of Commons oti Monday Mr Balfour said that Venezuela for the past two years had unjustifiably interfered with the liberty an 4 property of British subjects and refused to settle large claims. All efforts to obtain an amicable arrangement had been unavailing. Many representations had been made, but remained unnoticed, and accordingly an wltimatrnn had been presented in conjunction with Germany. If the outcome of the ultimatum were unsatisfactory, it was intended to enforce the demands. Venezuela’s area is upwards of half a million square miles, and the population is about two and a-third millions, mostly half-breeds of mixed Indian and white blood. The annual revenue of the Government is about £ 1,500,000, and the expenditure the same. The exports total a value of about £4,000,000 • year; the imports come to about £ 3,000,000. The supreme chief of the State is Genera! Castro, who assumed office in 1899, and who successfully commanded the Government troop® in the recent severe fighting with the insurgent forces. SOUTH AFRICA. Lord Milner found the burghers in the eastern part of the Grange River ■Colony satisfied with the arrangement* nm4e to tench Dutch. Few objections were made as to English being made the medium of instruction. The parents are anxious that their children should learn English. Lord Milner, at Bloemfontein, infarmed the burghers that all receipts wQI be honoured, though compensative is net paid on destroyed stack. Three million* win be distributed to ••Carer* through the war pre rata. Mr Chamberlain remain* at Durban

from December 21 to lleceoilrr 24. and goes theuce to Maritxburg, where hr stay* until Deeeaatrr 28. He then visit* Coieaso, I iij.. jialth and Hpionkop, quitting Natel an December 31.

The drought in Orange River Colony is causing great oonceru. Farmers are unable to plough the hard land, and it is almost certain the Go-

vernment will be compelled to feed the people and maintain relief works for another year. Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, and Messrs. Farrar. Albu. Taugermann aad Chaplain have been appointed a sub-com-mittee of the Chamber of Alines at Johannesburg to prepare a report on the mining industry for presentation to Mr Chamberlain. Many influential mining magnates favour a tax on dividends.

The British Government has collected thousands of mules and horses at Lathrop, iu Missouri, for shipment to South Africa, in the middle of January, to re-stock the Transvaal farms. Many thousands are still required. Two of Kruger’s friends have offered bail of £lOO,OOO each if he is allowed to return to South Africa. Lord Milner, speaking at a banquet at Kimberley, referred to the enormous void Mr Cecil Rhodes’ death had created. If the South African States could only agree upon numerous great intercolonial questions, they were capable of settlement. The Transvaal was able to offer the greatest advantages, but needed the greatest measure of relief. The Zulu chief, Dinizulu, refuses to surrender to the Natal Government a quantity of arms and ammunition in his possession which the Zulus captured from the. Boers. CAPE COLONY. The Orange Colony Government is constructing a 12-mile irrigation canal at Parys, affording employment for 600 bywoners, or landless Boer* for two years. LORD ‘ KITCHENER. Viscount Kitchener is engaged in manoeuvring 37,000 British and native troops between Arnbara and Delhi, preparatory to the great durbar which is to be held when King Edward is proclaimed Emperor early in the New Year. THE STATE OF IRELAND. A committee, with Lord Dunraven as chairman, has been formed to organise an Irish land conference. Voting papers have been sent to landowners to select four representatives. Mr Redmond is taking similar action among the Nationalists. Dennis Kilbride, an ex-member of the -louse of Commons, and a prominent Nationalist, has been sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, without hard labour, on a charge of inciting the West Heath Nationalists to murder Major-General Deverish Meares, a local landlord. At the previous trial, in August last, the jury were equally divided. Kilbride was then released o- bail. Last month Kilbride was sentenced to four months for intimidation in Tipperary, THE EDUCATION BILL. Lord Rosebery, addressing a deputation of the National Free Church Council, said if the Nonconformists tamely submitted to the Education Bill they would politically cease to exist. The speech has delighted the acme wing of the party. The Rev. Dr. Clifford, speaking at Brentford, referred to Lord Rosebery’s inspiring utterance. The “Times” expresses surprise at Lord Rosebery counselling resistance to the law, and declares that he compromises his future by giving unjustifiable sanction to the anarchical pretensions of irresponsible opponents of the Education BiH.

In the discussion in the House of Lord* on the Education Bill the Bisbop of Hereford moved that the foundation managers of voluntary school* bo reduced to only two, which would supply popular control of a reasonable kind, while safeguarding the legitimate interest* of denominatioualism. He likened the Duke of Devonshire to the L»oe«on, a* • victim to the iH-rtarved union of Tories, Whigs, and Birmingham

Radicals. He described the Church ■■ punming a policy of grab. It Was bad enough ia OkiM and Africa, but araa iirtolu— bie ia the field of religten. The motion araa Aagutived «•/ M 8 rotes to 87. SOMALILAND. Although the Mullah’s forces are increasing largely in Somaliand it is believed that they are only half to be depended upon. His bodyguard consists of a thousand outlaws and murderers. It is reported at Berbers that the Mad Mullah has been assassinated -while at prayers, being killed by spear thrusts in his stomach. .Everything is ready at Berbers for an immediate advance against the Mullah, via Garrero and Obbia. the columns meeting early in February for a combined movement. AUSTKLAIA. At "the stock sales no New Zealand .sheep were offered. Eighteen bullocks averaged £l6 6/. A severe earthquake shock has occurred at Hallet. No damage was done. The Mount Morgan gold mine has struck payable stone 170 feet below any previous level. Two concerts given on the steamer Paroo resulted in over £ls being raised for the Elingainite fund. Cavill has put up a new world’s swimming record for 100yds, doing the distance in 59see in Sydney. In the Victorian Assembly the clause in the Reform Bill giving the franchise to women was adopted by 53 to 25. The Rev. Matthew Walker, sentenced in July to six months’ imprisonment for perjury, and subsequently •entenced *to an additional llwo months for refusing to give evidence, has been released. The Boer farmer delegates who recently visited Canada are passengers -by the s.s. Miowera from Vancouver. The Government will afford them facilities to visit the farming centres. The Boer delegates, after visiting the other States, proceed to New Zealand. It is stated that their idea is to buy stock here to replenish Tioer farms. The proprietor and publisher of the “Age” have been each fined £25 for contempt of Court ill publishing on October 4 an article calculated to imperil the fair trial of A. B. Worthington, on a charge of false pretenees. In the matter of John Norton, for publishing a similar article in the “Sydney Truth.” Mr Justice Holroyd said he had no jurisdiction, and dischargeed the rule nisi, but without costs. An all-night sitting in the New South Wales Assembly terminated in a scene af wild disorder, owing to the Government forcing Treasury bills through. Some •very forcible language and epithets were used, and members freely challenged each other. Two Ministers were especially prominent. One was compelled to apologise to the House. The bill was eventually passed. Messrs Bums, Philp and Co.’s manager in New Guinea states that the white population is gradually decreasing. Everything is unsettled, and there will be no improvement till the attitude of the Commonwealth is Known- Most of those who have gone into small land speculations have abandoned them.

Mr Mills, of the Union Steamship Company last week entertained the delegates to the shipowners’ conference and representatives of All the Australian shipping companies at luncheon. The Attorney -General (Mr Wise) in proposing the toast of the •Union Company, eulogised it as an institution of which all Australians were proud- Bishop Doyle supported Mr Wise’s remarks.

Three men committed suicide in Melbourne last week. One named Weir hanged himself to es«upe financial ••trf- The second, named Irwin, under the in-

fluence of Honor, swallowed laudanvm and strychnine. The third, Mont•oaaarg, jumped off the Tarrs bridge. • Ata Wl ♦ Jettar AiatMjg he could en-

dure his wretched life no longer, and wanted to aae tbe unlmowu.

An action against the New Zealand Aaeideut Insurance Company to recover *l»tw on the policy of John Hoogklimmer, found dead in hu> bedroom with the gas turned on. resulted ia a verdict for the defendant. The jury found that the man committed suicide.

Four inches of rain have fallen at Dugandau. The railway has been damaged, and the flooded creeks have stopped the Hughendeu-Cloncurry coaches. The Mount Morgan dams have been replenished. For months the place has been dependent on outside supply. Mr David Mills, of the Union Steamship Company, interviewed Sir E. Barton in reference to the renewal of the Vancouver mail subsidy, which expires in May. Tbe negotiations at present are private, but it is understood that the question of arranging the subsidy on a new basis was raised, and incidental thereto the improvement. of the service by introducing a superior class of steamers running at a higher speed.

The steamer Australian, from China, when in latitude 10 degrees south, on her way through the Arafura Sea from Timor to Port Darwin (Northern Australia) ran into a peculiar thick base, which continued until she reached the Australian coast. So dense was the haze that it was impossible to diseern objects a mile or two ahead. It is evidently the result of some recent volcanic action.

The steamer Miowera, which has arrived at Brisbane from Vancouver last week, brought a hundred tons of frozen pork, shipped by the British Columbia Cold Storage Company and the Armour Company. Ct-nadiau papers state that this is au initial shipment. The storage compact's representative in Australia has sent orders ahead for similar quantities for the next four months. The steamer sailing from Vancouver in December will take 70 tons of frozen meat. The compact have also arranged -to forward shipments of grain, frozen salmon and Canadian butter, and intend to charter a ship tJ carry 3500 tons of wheat.

The Full Court, consisting of the chief and three other justices, heard the appeal against the conviction of the JKenniffs, who were lately sentenced to death for the murder of Mr Dalke and Constable Doyle. The grounds of appeal were that there was no evidenoe of Doyle’s’death, and no evidence tliat Patrick and James Kenuift acted in concert. The Court upheld the conviction, Mr Justice Real dissenting. He .said there was sufficient evidence that Doyle was dead, but no evidence to support the theory that James ’Kenniff took part in the" murder, unless they accepted the conjecture that he would naturally help his brother. His presence on the scene was involuntary, he being at the time a prisoner in Doyle’s custody .

The Council discussed the exclusion of the felt-hatters. Members severely condemned the action of the Federal Government in applying the Immigration Restriction Act to such a case.

Mr G. H. Reid, speaking at Maitland, scathingly denounced Sir E. Barton’s attitude on tbe hatter difficulty. He said there .was a point oi» which Australians .could neither forgive nor forget. That was when statesmen -filling high offices administered the law so as to attract the ridicule and -odium of the whole British Empire.

Sir E. Barton in a minute on the hatters difficulty points out that no application far exemption was made till the 10th. The application was opposed by the president and secretary of the Australasian Association of Felt-hattera. and Sir E. Barton expressed regret -that the application was made so date.

The annual meeting of the Kauri Timber Co. was held last week. The profits for the year were £31,298, which, added to the balance of £ 14,868, has been used in -paying off the balance of debenture expenses. A dividend of 4 per cent, was declared, and £23,644 carried forward. The

chairman announced that the directors had decided to provide for the value of the timber taken off the company’s land during the year, which absorbed £15,8*3. The idea was to bring the company's asset* within realisable limits by the time the foreots had been worked out. The liabilities of the co m pan v were now £883,000, including £234,900 on debentures. or a decrease of £30.000. The liquid assets were £ 344.000 including stocks worth £235,000. There was a surplus therefore of £60.000, which had to be added to the value of the mills and land. The .directors and auditors were re-elected.

The action brought by Mr Griffiths (member for Ware tab, and secretary of the Parliamentary 'Labour partyi against the Newcastle “Morning Herald,-” claiming £lOOO damages for alleged libel. resulted in a verdict for the defendant newspaper. The alleged libel was-contained in an extract from the speeches of Mr Griffiiths" opponent during the election campaign. wherein the plaintiff was accused of nro-Boerism, disloyalty, and sedition, and denounced as a traitor, and the “Herald’s” comments thereon. Mr Justice Bring, in summing up. said the case involved a question affecting not only Australia, but the whole British Empire. He dealt severely with Mr Griffiths’ pro-Boer utterances and his connection with the Anti-War League, and said a member of Parliament should be free from the faintest suspicion of disloyalty to his Sovereign. Commenting on the verdict. the judge declared that he unhesitatingly concurred in the jury’s finding. He could not understand how- any man, after making such speeches in publie. could expect any other verdiet. An application to stay proceedings on the ground that certain passages in the alleged libel did not come under the category of failcomment, was refused.

Henry Jordan, who is alleged to have averaged about one burglary a day for the past month in Melbourne, has been committed for trial for his many offences. He wag quite an artist at his adopted profession. One of his rules was never to leave the premises he had rubbed until he had got something to eat. At MiAgar Wynne’s, having secured a large swag of valuables, he laid the cloth on the dining-room table, set out some chicken, cut glass, and a bottle erf wine, and having wound up a good meal by silently drinking his own health, went happily away. At Dr. Wheeler’s. he packed up a choice collection of valuables, and -tiien retired to the kitchen to recuperate after his arduous labours. He lighted the fire, .boiled the kettle for a ewp of tea, and, judging by the look of the table afterwards, thoroughly enjoyed .himself. He was out in the back yard blacking his boots, and whistling a tune, when Dr. Wheeler happened to look out of the upstairs window. “What are you doing there?” called the doctor. “Go-

»“K for a run," replied the burglar, aud he butted at Hcprew i*aad with only one boot poliahwd. XH£ AUdTKAUAN Q&QUGin In Um Sydney Assembly Mr Carvuhber* mowed Unit in view «f the serioua effect of the drought, aud the failure of the wheat, the Gurerumeat ought to make provision fur temporary rebate on payment of duties on breadstuffs and fodder, as far as practicable, and for the importation, on proper guarantee for payment thereof, of breadstuffs aud fodder. He referred to Mr Seddon's offer to send fodder and eulogised this action. Mr Carruthers said there was nothing to prevent the. Government refunding the duties on breadstuffs aud fodder at once in anticipation of getting it returned from the Federal Government or undertaking a refund of duties ou importers entering into bonds to sell at a certain margin above the landed price. Referring to Mr Seddon’s offer, he said Mr Seddon was evidently a man who could occasionally rise to meet questions on broad humanitarian grounds. The Premier, in reply, read the opinion of the Attorney-General, to the effect that the remission of fodder duties would be a violation of the law of the Commonwealth. If anyone had asked him under a proper guarantee to import fodder he would have given every facility, but no request had been made. He declared that Mr Carr-uthers’ proposal would lead to interminable difficulty, and involve the country in the loss of hundreds of thousands of pounds. The only way to give the consumer the benefit would be to abolish the duties. Mr Seddon’s offer was a capital business move. He would tell him that if it could be availed of with advantage to the people of New South Wales he would avail himself of the offer.

Eventually, after a good deal of squabbling, and several applications of the closure, an amendment moved by Mr Webster, that if .the necessity arises the Government should import breadstuffs ami fodder atul sell them at reasonable rates, was carried on the voices.

In addition to the New Zealand Government paying freight on fodder for the relief of sufferers by the drought, in Australia, they will give f*-ee railway carriage to all such stuff to the chief ports of the colony.

The Premier, in the course of an interview with a representative of the -“Lyttelton Times*' last week, referring to tbe dearth in Australia, said if farmers and other producers in New Zealand were willing to send fodder and seed to Australia to help the sufferers by the drought, the Government would pay the freight, attend to details, and forward the stuff to the respective State Governments. He thinks that this would lie merely a neighbourly action on the part of New Zealand, and as sm-Ji

would be acceptable to Australia. The produce >uerebr.n*K of I'hristehureh do uot regard the Premier's proposal to proffer assistance to the Australian farmers in a favourable light. Mr A. H. Turnbull, a leading merchant, and president of the Can- . terburj Chamber of Commerce, said the proposal was ridiculous, anti that it was evidently based on nothing but theoretical knowledge. New Zealand had really nothing to send to Australia, he told a local ieporter. In face of the position of the markets the idea could not possibly be entertained. He asked where the fodder and seeds were to come from. ' Australia had now resumed her shipments of produce, and large quantities of meat would be sent away. He thought that the people here hardly realised the recuperative capabilities of Australia. Some time ago he had made an offer to the South African Company to supply sheep during the first four months of the coming year. On December 3, before the rains in Australia commenced, he had received a reply refusing the offer, as Australia's shipments had been resumed, and supplies could be obtained from the Commonwealth at a cheaper rate.

Mr A. Kaye (chairman of the Lyttelton Harbour Hoard) thinks that after the rebuff which was given to Madame Melba it would be better to wait and see how the offer would be likely to be accepted in Australia. Seeing that the markets here were utterly denuded of stock, the time far such a step was somewhat inopportune. The idea was a happy one, but the wiser course, he thought, would be to see whether any movement in the direction indicated would be met with due appreciation. As the Australian seed time will not come round for some months there will be no harm in waiting for further developments.

Mr G. S. Harker, a produce exporter, ■with an extensive knowledge of the Sydney markets, said that New Zealand had really nothing to send to Australia. Even if there were Quantities of fodder and seeds available they would be merely a drop in the ocean. He was in New South Wales when the State Government there was discussing the questic of the remission of the duties, and he considered that even though the Federal Government would not agree to the remission the State -government could refund the duties if it choose so to do. 1 he ship Ainsdale. from Valparaiso brought tint) tons of Chilian hay to’ b y‘lne.v. as a resuit of the drought. Ihe Premier has received a cable message expressing the thanks of the Shire of Nathalia, on behalf of the sufferers by the drought, for his action in regard to fodder. Ihe Premier, through Sir E Barton, has received a copy of the telegram wherein Mr Seddcn notifies New Zealand s proposal to send fodder and seed to the assistance of sufferers through the drought. In the letter the hope is expressed that it will be accepted in the spirit intended, which is purely neighbourly.

Mr See has sent the following reply. I cordially thank you for your telegram and regard your proposal as. a fresh evidence of the goodwill existing between the people of New Zealand and this State. There are however such ample resources availaide and the prospects for the future in consequence of the recent rainfalls are so satisfactory that the Government anticipate no difficulty in meeting ail requirements. Your generous offer is much appreciated.” Sir E. Barton regards Mr Seddon’s action as kind and considerate, and one of those movements which will tend to bind even more strongly the friendship between New Zealand and Australia.

Mr i'bilp has replied as follows to Mr Seddon's offer: “Many thanks for your exceedingly kind offer, which is highly appreciated. We have had splendid rain over the greater part, of the State, and graxs will soon lie pfisntifnl. We arc also making arrangements for .seed wheat, and therefore will not require the assistance you so generously offer.’’ AISTRALTAN MARTTIME DISPI TE. The conference of federated steamship owners nnd seamen's unions met again on the 10th inst., anil a't.-r • short sitting eame to an abrupt

conclusion. The press were excluded, and nothing was allowed to transpire (vending the issue of an official statement which the secretary of the Owners' Association is now preparing. The men disavow any iqteution to provoke a strike, but are determined not to accept the A' 1 per month reduction.

The owners, replying to the men’s contentions, reasserted that there had been no improvement in trade. At present steamers aggregating' ist.ooo tonnage were idle, owing to the shrinkage in trade. To maintain the ruling rates of wages would stifle the- coastal trade. Dealing with a suggestion that the owners should accept the conditions estab ished by the New Zealand Arbitration Court, they pointed out that in New Zealand conditions had always been about 10/ a month ahead of the Australian rates. THE MEN’S SIDE OF THE QUESTION. Both sides express determination rot to retreat from the positions they have taken up. The seamen’s delegates, in interviews, stated that the attitude they took at the conference was that in the face of the large dividends paid during the past twelve months no warrant existed fcr the proposed enormous reduction in wages, equivalent to fifteen per cent. They urge:! that the New Zealand arbitration award given since last conference was preferable to the agreement under which seamen worked in Australia. The New Zealand conditions would be accepted by the Australian union; they were a fair compromise, which shipowners might have accepted. On these lines there would have been a reduction of 10/ per month, although a slight alteration in hours anti other particulars would have resulted. The delegates say that the men are in no way to blame for the present position. They argued that the .Tune agreement, under which they undertook to accept a reduction if trade had not improved, did not hold, because trade had undoubtedly improved. As to the question of foreign competition, they contended Unci it no longer existed. In support of this they stated that a certain vessel which had previously sailed under a foreign flag was now trading under the British flag, with a British crew paid at Australian rates. They also declared that up to the present there were fio signs of competition on the part of vessels released at the termination of the war. They are determined to fight- for the men’s rights at all costs. There are altogether some 2000 seamen engaged in the inter-state trade.

A representative of a firm of owners says that they intend to sign men cn on reduced pay', and hoped to sign on all handstand that they would-work amicably. Tn.less there was an unprecedented improvement in business, which was most improbable, the owners woni<l be unable to accept any compromise. STEAMSHIP OWNERS’ VIEWS. Interviewed by your representative a number of gentlemen whose interests are directly or indirectly bound up in shipping matters oil the other ide of the Tasman Sea wore not disposed to view the present situation with confidence. One was advised by cable message that there was no immediate prospect of a compromise, and that appearances indicated a fight to the death. Another received advice to the effect that it would not be surprising to find the trouble bringing New Zealand within its clutches, adding, significantly, “Get your guns and powder ready.” Late yesterday afternoon a coded message to a person in this town read, "New Zealand will probably he drawn into the vortex. Companies prepared to resist, to the uttermost. On a subsi<Ultial footing, solidity magnificent, prepared- to lay up the whole of the boats tn Australian waters rather than concede the demands of the men.” Apparently the biggest maritime strike in the history of Australasia is looming ahead.

HOW WILL NEW ZEALAND BE AFFECTED. Mr W.- T. Voting, secretary of the Wellington section of the Australian Federated .Seamen’s Inion considers that in xiew of our existing industrial conditions it would be impossible for the New Zealand portion of the organisation to eall out seamen on the intercolonial and coastal steamers to assist their comrades to victory across the water-, seeing that we are working under an award of the Arbitration Court, and it being illegal under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act for any union to strike whilst an award of the Court is in operation. In view of this it is only reasonable to say that our intercolonial and coastal trade will continue uninterrupted, although, if necessary, we will give the Australian seamen all monetary assistance possible in order to keep them out in support of their rights. This, I think, will be more effective than striking, as by this method we can keep our men in employment and feed the strikers across the water.