LATE CABLE NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1421, 5 January 1885, Page 2

LATE CABLE NEWS.

London, December 22.

Mr Murry Smith, Agent-General for "Victoria, has made a formal protest to the Colonial Office against the annexation policy of Germany in the Pacific. The Permanent Under-Secretary for the Colonial Office asserts that Germany, in negotiations with the British Government, pledged herself not to meddle with New Guinea.

It is expected that France will shortly annex the New Hebrides

The Times this morning, referring to the German annexation in the Pacific, states that the incapacity and ignorance of the Colonial Office are unlimited, and that the inheritance of the Australian colonies has been gambled away. The Times is also of opinion that the colonies will naturally resent what has taken place. The Daily News says that Holland is merely holding a portion of New Guinea as tiustee for Germany. Michael Davitt, the leader of the National party in Ireland, has sailed from England on an extended tour through the Australian colonies.

Messrs Haslam Bros, and Wilson, the Australian merchants, have purchased Bell Coleman refrigerating patents for their extensive freezing chambers for the storage of Auscralian meat at the West India Docks and Smithfield.

London, December 28.

The Governor of the colony of Natal has hoisted the British flag at St Lucia Bay. on the coast of Zululand. It is considered doubtful whether Earl Derby will sanction and confirm this action.

The Paris journal Le Temps, writing in reference to iVew Hebrides, considers that it will be necessary for France to take action in the annexation of those islands, in order to anticipate German intentions in the same direction.