LATE CABLE NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 345, 20 February 1902, Page 2

LATE CABLE NEWS.

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright London, Feb. 19.

Sir Montague Nelson considers the meat contract fairly good if the War Office must conduct business on the present lines. There is evory reason to hope that the bulk of tho meat will be supplied by Australasia. His offer of a supply at a half-penny per pound above the cost was not entertained.

A deputation representing five hundred Welsh settlers at Patagonia appealed to Mr Chamberlain to provide transport to Canada, where Government are willing to supply land and facilities for settlement. Mr Chamberlain regretted the application. He had been led to believe that the Welshmen desired to settle in the new colonies of South Africa, where land, with the assistance of stock and farms, would he available. The British Government had long discontinued assisting emigrants to self-governing colonies. He suggested a fresh appeal be made to tho Canadian Premier, or to the liberality of the British public. Obituary ; Field-Marshal Sir Nevill Chamberlain, aged 82. The House of Lords, by 57 to 26, rejected Lord Ambury's Early Closing of Shops Bill. Mr J. C. Mason, Member of the House of Commons for Orkney and Shetland, has published a letter in the Times, complaining of the meat contract. Owing to cheaper land taxes and wages ill the Argentina, the colonies are no more able to compete in point of price than an English gardener with a Chinaman, yet the quality of the colonial meat is superior. • English companies and firms interested in Westralia, representing a capital of thirteen millions, have requested Mr LeF’roy, Westralian Agent-General, to present a petition to the Commonwealth Parliament, stating that the Federal tariff threatens disastrously to affect industrial development, especially that of Westralia, and will inflict great injustice on British investors. The petition asks for reconsideration of the matter; also that the increased import duties be made inapplicable to contracts and engagements made prior to the operative date of the tariff. Paris, Feb. 19. Ernest Toy, travelling in the ParisNice express on Monday night, was robbed of everything and thrown on tho line, after a desperate struggle. Recovering his senses, he boarded the Toulon train. Sydney, Feb. 19. The Toy mentioned in the cables is the well-known Australian violinist.

A plague patient named Mclntyre is dead. The block bounded by Pitt, Market, and Castlereagh streets, and the Imperial Arcade, including His Majesty’s Theatre, have been quarantined for cleaning purposes. The troopship Custodian, with the Federal Contingent, including the Queenslanders, has sailed. She was farewelled with patriotic speeches by the DeputyPremier.

Melbourne, Feb, 19,

In the Federal House, amongst articles retained on the free list are fish, cod, seal, whale, peuguin, oils, crude petroleum, naptha and turpentine. The duty on axle grease was fixed at 4s per cwt. in packages not exceeding 41bs, and 2s where not otherwise mentioned.