GENERAL CABLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 356, 5 March 1902, Page 1

GENERAL CABLES.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright NEW YORK. March 3.—Columbia is seeking an increase of pecuniary advantages in connection with the transfer of the Panama Canal. The American Government resists an attempt to spoliate stockholders of £35,000. The welcome 10 Prince Henry at Cincinnati! was most effusive. Many addresses were presented to him when .journeying through Chottanooxna, St. Louis, and Nashville. ROME. March 3.—M. Zanardelli, the Italian Premier, continues in office. Slight changes have been made in the portfolios of Ministers.

Forty thousand railway workers who have been summoned for military service have received pay besides their usual wages. Warships have been sent to various ports, and incoming steamers are searched for war material. These precautions are interpreted to mean that a revolutionary outbreak is feared. The Government are arranging for higher wages, with a view to averting the threatened general strike on the 10th.

SYDNEY. March 3.—The Rev.Mr Slade, W’es-

leyan missionary in Fiji is visiting Sydney, and, interviewed, said that so far as federation with New Zealand was concerned it is a tiling only in name. The great idea to Fijian minds is that federation with somebody would mean a change of policy. They felt, the present policy burdensome, and that was their idea of a change. It did not mean with New Zealand or anywhere else. There was no outlet for the natives, no scope for ambition, no incentive to rise, because the people were hound by a cast-iron system which kept all at a dead level. The agitation for federation with New Zealand, however, receives very little support among merchants and traders, for they felt it would be better to he added to the Commonwealth, as there was a big market there for fruit. Federation of the South Sea Island groups with New Zealand as the head would not be as acceptable to white people as federation with the Commonwealth, mostly for trade reasons, but in any federation that takes' place

the most difficult matter to solve will be the colored labour question. So far as Mr Seddon is concerned, he lias shown commendable willingness to break the lance on behalf of Fiji. On the other hand, says Mr Slade, we have no direct communication with the leaders of the Commonwealth. It is perhaps for that reason that many who are anxious to see a moderate system of government have turned towards Mr Seddon.

PERTH. March 4.—An influential syndicate has been formed to develop new coal and oil areas. Assays of petroleum rock gave six to eight gallons a ton. BRISBANE.

Owing to Federal legislation preventing the employment of Japanese divers, Clark and Co., who hold the largest interest in the pearl-shelling industry, threaten to transfer their headquarters to Dutch New Guinea. MELBOURNE.

March 4.—The steamer Chiswick has sailed with over two thousand tons of flour for South Africa. The Eastern Extension Cable Com--pany have informed Mr Barton that, they cannot entertain the Federal Government’s proposal made with a view to a uniform agreement for ten years if the Company surrendered its present interminable agreement with the various States.