LONDON.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 2995, 31 January 1881, Page 3

LONDON.

January 18

There is a probability that the obstruction in the House of Commons will soon be brought to an end. Professor Thorold Rogers, one of the Liberal members for Southwark, has discovered among some old orders of the House one which dates back to the year 1600, which empowers the Speaker to "stay irrevelant speeches." It is likely that this will be used for the purpose of putting a stop present protracted discussions. January 20. The Dutch settlers of South Africa have made an appeal to the Government and people of Holland, claiming their sympathy end protection in the present relations with Great Britain. It is considered very unlikely that the assistance

sought will be granted. It is reported that Mr Joseph Cowen, M.P. for Newcastle, meditates, with Mr Parnell, haranguing a monster meeting to be held in London in opposition to the application of the Government for coercive measures for Ireland. Inconsequence of the continued strike among the coal miners of Lancashire, serious disturbances are threatened, and troops have been despatched to the district to maintain order. Mr Gladstone has expressed sympathy with the loyal Boers, but regrets that it is impossible to grant them independence. It is stated that Earl of Beacousfield is pressing upon the Conservative party tho necessjty of supporting some measure of land reform for Ireland, with the view of checkmating the designs of the Land League. The frozen butter by the Protos is pronounced to be in tolerably good condition, but it is not yet landed. The frozen meat was bought with avidity, as there was a great scarcity of stock in the Smithfield market owing to the recent snowstorms. January 24. Henry Taylor, late emigration lecturer in England on behalf of South Australia, sails by the Orient to deliver lectures throughout Australia advocating the export of Australian food to England. A meeting will be held at the Mansion House next Friday by merchants and others to advocate the holding of a wool exhibition, in which Australia, the Cape of Good Hope, America, and all great wool-producing countries shall be represented. Mr Bradlaugh has called the attention of the Government to the cruelty practised upon the Maoris arrested in the New Plymouth district, New Zealand, by keeping them in prison for several months without trial. Mr Duff, the Under-Secretary, requested that the question should be postponed until the arrival of full information on the subject, which it is expected to receive by the March mail.