ARRIVAL OF THE U.S.N.Z. & A. STEAMSHIP 'NEBRASKA,' WITH THE ENGLISH MAIL

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 433, 31 May 1871, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE U.S.N.Z. & A. STEAMSHIP 'NEBRASKA,' WITH THE ENGLISH MAIL

NEWS TO MAY 6.

SUMMARY.

The situation in France can hardly be said to be gveatly altered since our last, neither is that of the G-overnment improved. Our telegraphic despatches are full of outrages committed by the insurgents, of desperate fighting on both sides, and of the destruction of property in and around Paris. The Orleans Princes have just been expelled from France. Our Parliamentary and general English news will be found specially full and interesting to the colonial reader. On the 18th of April, in the House of Commons, Gladstone opposed the resolution discontinuing the telegraph and postal service on Sunday, and succeeded in defeating the vote of censure on the naval | administration indirectly arising from the : loss of the Captain, by a small majority., On the 19th of April there wa3 an excited discussion on the bill for the abolition of the game laws. On April 20 the Chancellor of the Exchequer introduced the Budget. In spite of the sad state of affairs on the Continent, the resources of the United Kingdom showed elasticity. The estimated expenses of the army, including those incurred by the abolition of the purchase system are £16,500,000, and for the navy £9,750,000. The estimates for civil service show an increase of £425,000 over those of last year. The total revenue from the Customs for the ensuing financial year are estimated at less than last year. The total receipts from all sources, it is expected, will not exceed in round figures ifiG.QOU.OOO, while the total expenditure may roach £7,200,000. The deficiency is set down at £275,000. In the House of Commons, in the debate on the budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer proposed a half-penny stamp on a box of each one hundred matches, and larger rates on wax-lights. He estimated the results at fiftyfive thousand pounds. A running debate followed, generally hostile to the budget. On April 2-ith an immense number of watchmakers and employes, bearing a petition against the proposed watch excise, surrounded the Hoii3e of Parliament, and it was found necessary to keep a strong body of police on the spot to maintain order. The matter was subsequently discussed in Parliament. On April 27th, Gladstone announced that the proposition to impose a tax on matches and to increase the duties on legacies and successions would be withdrawn to reconcile the opposition to remaining recommendation of the budget, and that an additional two-pence in the pound on the income tax would be submitted. On April 28th Disraeli notwithstanding the concessions of the Government, made a bitter attack on the budget. On April 29 Cowper Temple submitted a motion in favour of the reservation of a part of Epping Forest for a public Park. The motion was opposed by Lowe aud Gladstone because the property belonged to the Crown and not' to the public. Harcourt argued that the public were owners of the grounds and not the Crown. Upon a division, there was a majority of 101 against the Government. Oh May 1, there was an interesting discussion in the Commons on cheap Oceaa postage to America. On May 3, Bright moved the second reading of the bill enfranchising women. After discussion the bill was defeated. By latest advices the Government succeeded in obtaining a»majority of 46 in favor of the modified budget.

On April 25th there was a report in London, since unconfirmed, that the steamer Queen of the Thames, from Melbourne for London, is lost, and many of the passengers drowned. The International Exhibition at Kensington was opened by the Prince of Wales on the 10th of May.

The Joint High Commission at Washington has concluded its labors. There is nothing absolutely known of the results attained, but it ia believed that the Alabama claims will be allowed, money compensation given for the use of Canadian fishing grounds by Americans, and the clannsof Englishmen, who have suffered from the late war in the South, also allowed. The San Juan boundary question is believed to be settled in favour of the United States. We call attention to the President's proclamation relative to the provisions of the Fourteenth Amendment, which is included in our American telegraph summary.