LATEST FROM EUROPE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 298, 21 March 1881, Page 2

LATEST FROM EUROPE.

(Per Renter's Agency.) A New French Loan. Paris, March 19,

It is announced that a new French loan of one milliard francs (forty million pounds sterling) will shortly be raised, The minimum price will be thirty francs in gold. In a public circular announcing the issue of the loan, , the Minister of Finance refers to the foreign relations of France. These, he 1 states, continue to be of a friendly : character, the pacific policy of the Government on external affairs having been fully developed. Referring to the intentions of the Government in regard to the loan, lie announces that the same will be solely devoted to the full development of the internal resourses of France. Bullion for AmericaLondon, March 18. There has been large withdrawals of gold from the Rank of England for North America. Commercial. Consols have advanced to Adelaide wheat, ex warehouse, 50s. The total quantity of wheat afloat for Great Britain is 2,190,000 quarters. New Zealand wheat, ex ship, 365; Adelaide flour, ex warehouse, 345; Australian tallow, best beef, 33s ; best mutton, 365. Four and a half per cent. New Zealand 1879-1904 Loan, Best Scotch pig iron, No. r, f.o.b. in Clyde, 495. The Wool Sales. At the wool sale to-day 8,500 bales were offered. The tone of the market was firm. Naval Cadet ExaminationMarch 19. The authorities at the Admiralty have decided to revive the limited competitive examinations for naval cadets. Four positions will be reserved for candidates from the colonies. Abstaining from Obstruction. In the House of Commons the consideration of supply is receiving rapid progress. The Irish members are abstaining from obstruction. The Turko-Greek Difficulty. Constantinople, March 18. It has transpired that the Ambassadors of the Great Powers have now made proposals to Turkey and Greece that the latter should accept the Porte’s offer of October last, to cede districts of Thessaly and Epirus to the South of Janiora, and Larissa, but the Powers furthermore suggest that the Island of Crete should also at the same time be surrendered to Greece. The Armistice Prolonged. Capetown, March 18. ' Intelligence has been received from Natal that the armistice between the

Boers and the British in the Transvaal has been prolonged to Monday, the 21 st March.