Wednesday.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 43, 13 February 1885, Page 13

Wednesday.

Mr. M' Arthur, M.H.R. for Manawatu, addressed his constituents at Palmerston North on Monday evening. He stated he would not vote against the present Ministry on their past rjolicy, but would hold himself free on the local government question*. He thought no more local government machinery was required. What was wanted was money ?or roads and bridges. He w.»a in favour of £400,000 being spent in defence, as suggested by Sir W. Jervois. and of limiting the time during which Legislative Councillors shall hold their seats. He received a vote of thanks and lenewed confidence. One of the causes of the deadlock at the Lisbon Postal Conference is that Germany is opposed to Australia being represented, fear that such representation would increase British influence at the Conference. The French authorities intend to relegate 30,000 recidivisteß. It is announced that the following reinforcements have been ordered to Egypt :— 2oth Hussars and three battalions of Guards from England, four battalions of infantry from Malta and Gibraltar, and two battalions of infantry and a cavalry regiment from India. News is to hand from Korti that the British convoy was recently attacked near Gakdul by a body of rebels numbering over 1000. Heavy fighting took place, with the result that the rebels were repulsed after severe Bhelling from the British guns. An I f aliau expeditioa dispatched from Naples occupied Massowah on the Red Sea without resistance, bat the Egyptian officials formally protested against the occupation. It is stated that 600 men of the Canadian militia are coming to England to do garrison dnry in the place of the troops being diapatched to Egypt. The Italian Government has decided that, if requested, assistance shall be affordei England in the operations against the Mahdi.