EUROPEAN NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 679, 4 July 1882, Page 2

EUROPEAN NEWS.

London, June 22

Mr John Bright has expressed himself as strongly opposed to an armed intervention in the affairs of Egypt. He considers that, provided the safety of the Suez Canal is assured, it is no part of the duty of England to direct the internal policy of that country. Subscriptions are being raised throughout France in aid of funds for alleviating the suffering Europeans who have been compelled to fly from Egypt to Paris. It is proposed to organise a gigantic lottery of 10,000,000 francs to assist the movement.

The Times, in a leading article, urges the Government to be prepared for eventualities, and warns them to be on their guard, and not to be lulled into a false security. The article insists that the army and navy should be thoroughly equipped, and the defences looked to. Russia is placing her navy in a state of preparation, and is adding thirty additional gunboats to her fleet. Very great activity prevails in Russian military circles at the present time, and the army is being placed on a first-class footing. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Tait, is decidedly favourable to the proceedings of the Salvation Army, and has recently subscribed, to their funds. A serious disturbance has occurred at Albany, the capital of New York county. A large number of plate-layers, who had struck work for an increase of wages, attacked their fellow-laborers who would not join the movement, and a regular riot ensued, which was only quelled by the military being called out. A great number of persona were wounded, but fortunately no loss of life is reported. In order to develop the manufacture of cotton in Russia, the Government of that country has considerably reduced the import duty on the raw material. The people of Norway are agitating for the severance of that country from the kingdom of Sweden. They desire the formation of Norway into an independent republic. Amongst the arms recently seized at Clerkenwell, and supposed to be destined for use by the Fenians, are a quantity of weapons of a similar construction to the species of bowie-knife with which the Phoenix Park murders are supposed to have been committed. They are evidently of agrarian manufacture. London, June 25.

A Landlord Company has been formed in Ireland with a capital of L 700.000 to lease and work boycotted farms. The Land League is alarmed at this movement.

The Hon. Ashley, Under Secretary for the Colonies, in reply to a question in the House of Commons, stated that the Government had under consideration the representations made concerning the treatment of the Aborigines of Australia and those of the South Seas. They hoped shortly to be able to confer personally with Sir Arthur Gordon, Governor of New Zealand, upon the subject.