LATE CABLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 404, 1 May 1902, Page 2

LATE CABLES.

CAPTAIN MAHON'S ARTICLE.

By telegraph—Press Association — Copyright. LONDON, April 30. £ Captain Mahon, in a striking article published in the National Review, contends that the British fleet is indispensable to the colonies owing to for- t eign ambitions and the great increase of foreign lleets. The colonies are vitally interested in the non-granting of I-lome Rule for Ireland, and the prevention of an Africander Republic in South Africa, both of which would involve demands upon the fleet likely to seriously lessen the ability to protect the colonies and tne commercial routes thereto. Imperial Federation implies the Motherland’s acceptance of some restraint, of her control of foreign affairs and the colonies acceptance of definite obligations to share the Empire’s burdens of general defence, PENNY POSTAGE. In the House of Commons, Mr Austin Chamberlain said that Air Drake’s cablegram in reference to the penny postage in Australia required explanation. Meanwhile life postage rates remain unaltered. Lord Londonderry announced thatpostages to all places in China where there were British post, offices had been reduced to a penny per half ounce. POLITICAL LEADERSHIP. Earl Spencer lias succeeded Lord Kimberley as leader of the House of Lords. THE MASTERFUL DOWAGER. The Dowager Empress and Emperor made an imposing entry into Pekin after a pilgrimage of the Eastern tombs. Chinese officials prostrated themselves before the Dowager, ami stood in the presence of the Emperor, who is shabbily clad. The Dowager was remarkably affable, greeting several foreign lady specials. LORD BRASSEY’S SPEECH. Lord Brassey; addressing Uie Australian Club, said that the coming conference ol colonial Premiers was an exceptional opportunity for testing the possibility of an Imperial tariff. The time was rpe for closer union. The British were, he said, brimming over with gratitude and admiration lor the colonial assistance in the war. He advocated liberal subsidies to accelerate cheaper communication with the colof flies. He advised the creation of a naval force at the joint charge of the 1 Motherland and the Commonwealth for service in colonial waters, though 1 available elsewhere, i MYSTERIOUS EXPLOSION. ; NEW YORK, April 30. A mysterious explosion occurred on j the American submarine b .at Fulton, while voyaging from New York to l Delaware. The explosion injured s eight of the crew, it is thought that ’ the boat is little damaged. ’ FEDERAL ESTIMATES. 3 MELBOURNE, April 30. t The House passed the items covering ■ tiie administration of New Guinea and ; mail service to tiie Pacific islands. 1 Dismissing the. defence estimates of ; £037,000, Sir John Forrest explained . that these were practically the esti- ,. mates of the State Departments, d There had been no time to re-organise, if He asked the House to pass the estiit mates as they stood, and to give time <■ to re-organise. Thereby the Governif ment hoped to effect a saving of the d sum of £IOO,OOO, possibly £200,000.. i- Mr Braddon moved the reduction of o the first 'item as an indication that e there should he a reduction of £200,000. : CORONATION CONTINGENTS. SYDNEY, April 31. j' The New South Wales and Queensj’ land detachments of the Coronation Contingents have sailed, d THE PLAGUE, There was one case of plague to-day.