LATE CABLE NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1477, 8 February 1887, Page 2

LATE CABLE NEWS.

(By telegraph from the Bluff.) [" AQB " SPECIALS.] london, January 25. A conference has been held between the Agente-Qenerol of the Australian Colonies at the invitation of Sir J. F. GarricW, to consider what steps should be taken m connection with the statements recenMy made by Monsiguor Freppel m the Frenoh Chamber of Deputies, reapeoting the New Hebrlbes and other inlands m the Pacific After earofnl consideration of the eubjeot, the Agents* General arrived at the deoioion that Ik would bo useless either to protest or take> any farther action m connection with M. FceppaU's statements. A special meeting of shareholders la the New Pacific Cable Company hai been convened for Ist February for the purpose of receiving nominations for directors. Lord Salisbury has promised Sir Graham Berry, of Victoria, to notify the European Powers with reference to the Melbourne International Exhibition, to be held m 1888. Mr Henniker Heaton has forwarded » communication to Mr Raikes, Post-Master-General, advocating the introduction of an imperial trans-oceanic penny postage system. Britißh exhibitors, who intend to be represented at the Adelaide Exhibition, have accepted the proposed allotment of space. January 27. No further developement of the rumored immenent war between Franoe and Germany has taken piece, but it has now been ascertained that the contractor* for the Germany army have b^n^h* n-> the whole of the Australian preserved meatß m the market to the entire exclusion of the French Government, who have ordered 6,000, 0001bs weight of preserved meat from Chicago. Rumors of imminent war between Germany and France continue to be circulated m official circles. The statements recently published* 3 m the Daily News, to the effeot that war was impending between Franoe and Germany, are reiterated m Austrian newspapers and confirmed m offiolal circles m Vienna. It is stated that m all probability Germany will be compelled to anticipate Frenoh action and will take the field almost immediately, to prevent France entering upon the contest, fully equipped and prepared for a protraoted struggle. January 28. Sir Charles Dilke consider* that the conduct of France m reference to the New Hebrides involves a justifiable casus belli. A committee of the Senate of the United States of America has been appointed to enquire into the olalms of American subjects, who acquired land m New Zealand previous to the annexation of the Islands by Great Britain. It has requested President Cleveland to insist upon England indemnifying the claimants, The new Roman Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, the Wght Rev Dr Thomas Oarr, has left for Melbourne via Italy. The Address-in- Reply to the Queen's speeoh was carried m the House of Lords after a brief debate. Lord Salisbury expressed a hope during the debate that the difference which had arisen between Lord Randolph Churchill and the Government would only be of a temporary oharaoter. Referring to the Irish question, Lord Salisbury stated that increased coercion was becoming more and more neoeiiary m Ireland. In the House of Commons the debate has been adjourned. Sir R, Hamilton, the reoently appointed Governor of Tasmania, has embarked for his new seat of Government. The complete return for the Exohange division, Liverpool, shows that Mr Gosohen was defeated by 7 votes. January 90 ( The Emperor of Germany emphatically denies that there is any present proapeot of war being deolared between Germany and Franoe. The municipal corporation of Cork have been invited by a circular, issued m the name of the Prince of Wales, to subsoil!: § to the funds of the Imperial Institute, They have deolinei to subscribe, and suggest that the Prince of Wales ahotilf oontribute to the relief |of the exlitlug cUittesp In Iceland.,

The Hon Hugh Child^iß haa consented to act on the London Cooimfteo of *be Centennial Exhibition, to ba haid ici Melbourne daring 1888 ■ Lord Nonhbrot'B ppe:ch, delivered m the House of Lcr-lu, supported the proposed expenditure by the Imperial 6ov»rnMent on the defences of ccahng stations of Great Britain. German war steamers will iv future call at Colombo.