LATE EUROPEAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 347, 18 May 1881, Page 2

LATE EUROPEAN NEWS.

[ eh s.s. Rotorua at Russell.] London, May 2. Ireland is in a very disturbed state, and the number of agrarian outrages is increasing at an alarming rate. In consequence of the state of feeling in Dublin, and the violence of the Land League agitators, the city has been proclaimo I under the provisions of the Coercion Act. There is intense excitement throughout the city and country, as well as a feeling of grave anxiety. London, May 3. A Nihilist manifesto has been placed in different parts of St. Petersburg, lauding the assassination of the Czar, and threatening the life of the present Emperor. Sixty thousand immigrants left British ports for America during the month of April. London, May 14. Considerable alarm was created by an explosion of a box of powder outside Chester Barracks. The explosion was the work of some miscreant not yet discovered. A deputation from the British and Intercolonial Trade Tariff Union, consisting of the Lord Mayor of London, the Right Hon. Win. McArthur, Mr Westgarth, and Mr Sargood, waited on Earl Kimberly, Secretary for State for the Colonies, to-day, and laid before him a number of important suggestions affecting the joint interest of the mother country and the colonies. The deputation suggested the enlargement of the constitution, and the appointment of a Royal Commission to enquire into and report upon the defence of British colonies ; also to enquire into British colonial commerce, taking evidence in all important centres of population throughout British dominions upon the operation of the various tariff's in force. Further, the deputation represented the desire that the Imperial Government should learn the views of the inhabitants of the colonies, beforehand in all cases where treaties were about to be entered into with foreign countries, the case of a treaty with China being especially referred to as one upon which the colonies should have been heard, inasmuch as the treaty was found to be a considerable obstacle in the Australian colonies to legislation for the restriction of Chinese immigration. The question of establishing a Customs Union for the colonies and mother country was also represented as one xs liicli the commission should inquire into and report upon. Earl Kimberley, in reply, said he was pleased to receive so important a deputation, and assured the gentlemen composing it that the Imperial Government would always be glad to listen to any suggestion affecting the interest and welfare oi the colonies from gentlemen acquainted with colonial affairs and identified with colonial interests. He promised the deputation that their suggestions should have the most careful consideration of himself and colleagues. He traversed the subjects introduced by the deputation at considerable length. His speech, however, was mainly a recommendation to adopt the free trade principle, under which, he observed, Australia was fast progressing. London. May 8.

Owing to serious disturbances and violent demonstrations of the Land Leaguers in the cities of Cork, Kilkenny, and Kinsale, those cities have been proclaimed under the Coercion Act, and a number of arrests will shortly be made. Mr John Bright, in a letter on Irish affairs, argues that Irish laborers are better off at the present time than English laborers, and that the only hope for the latter was the development of industries. Archduke Rudolf, the heir apparent to the Crown of Austria, was yesterday married to Princess .Stephanie of Belgium. Mr Bradlaugh. the member for Northhampton, has issued a manifesto to his constituents, in which he protests, on behalf of himself and constituency, against the treatment received ini the House of 'Commons. Ho announces his intention of continuing his demands for admission until his right to sit is recognised. Wheat prospects in the southern provinces of Russia are said to be splendid. London, May 9. It is announced that the Boers are making preparations for war. There is some uneasiness at the announcement, as it is uncertain whether the Boers contemplate further hostilities with the British or whether they are merely preparing for contingencies arising from disaffection of the native tribes. Daly, who was arrested some time ago and imprisoned, has been released. It is understood that the Marquis of Lome intends to resign the GovernorGeneralship of Canada, in consequence of the climate of Canada being unfavorable to the health of ..the.Marchioness. London, May 10. Mr Gladstone's speech in moving the adoption of ths address to the Q iesn in favor of Lord Beaconsfield’s memorial was highly praised hy the London press. Mr Bright delivered a grand speech on the Irish Land Bill. He claims that it would do justice to Ireland, and expressed the belief that the Bill would be hereafter regarded as a blessing to the country. The Irish members have resolved to obstruct the Bill.