GENERAL CABLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 847, 23 March 1903, Page 1

GENERAL CABLES.

By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright.

CAPETOWN, March 20

The Bloemfontein Conference advocated total prohibition of the sale bi liquor to natives, and resolved that the matter of State reservations for landless natives involved obligations on the part of the natives themsc-ivcs..

LONDON. March 20

The Standard says that the New South Wales Treasur” bills were placed at a price yielding the investor £4 4s 2d per cent. Lord Avebury, addressing the Empire League, suggested the formation of n Colonial Council to advise the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and which ultimately, perhaps, would d L al with all legislation affecting the whole Empire. At the Empire League meeting.. Mr Copeland, referring to Lord Avebury’s proposal, said the Motherland must give the coloniis time. Australia was anxious to know what she could about, Imperial defence. Seleigniann and Co., in company with German and London bankers, are trying to float the Venezuelan debts.

VIENNA, March 20

Austnan opinion declares that the King of Saxony’s references to the Princess Louise were cruel and unnecessary.-

Count Von Bulow, speaking in the Reiuhsiag, declared that Great Britain gou as much advantage from Venezuela as Germany. The relations of America, Germany, and Great Britain had emerged unimpaired from the Venezuelan trouble. Germany had the most eligible ally in the world., NEW YORK, March 20.

Mr Bowen called the attention of the British Minister at Washington to rumors to the effect that the Powers were indisposed to refer the question of preferential treatment to me Hague Tribunal. He contends that if a final declaration as regards Lhe settlement is not made by April it would be unfair to expect Venezuela to pay 30 per cent, of the Customs for Match,

LONDON, March 20

Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman, speaking at Leeds, ridiculed the piteous spectacle of Mr Balfour tearfully apologising to the publican interest for the recent licensing legislation. Hp condemns the appalling growth' of national ixpenditiire, which he declared was 50 per bent, higher than in 1895, though none applied to old age pensions. Home rule had not been discarded. The Liberals were only awaiting a favorable opportunity,. The Liberals were always on the side til public interest. He declared there was no difference between Liberalism and labor. The Daily Telegraph characterises the speech as a deliberate attempt to stir up the “ Havenots ” against the “ ; Have.” BRISBANE, March 21. Good rains have been experienced in the central and southern districts. Floods in some districts have damaged „hs railway^ ... SYDNEY, March 21, The victim ol the Paddington tragedy, Mrs Hanna, is dead. The Board "of Health has issued regulations re the use of preservatives in food," founded on and closely following the recommendations contained in the report of the Committee appointed by tl\e British Local Government Board to enquire into the subject.

According to a Government proclamation,. to-morrow will be observed as' a day of humiliation and prayer on account of the drought." Useful rain fell yesterday over the greater part of the State, being especially good in the Eastern Riverina -.and Northern districts.

—Another shipment of 37 tiO tons of wheat has arrived from Tacoma. MELBOURNE, March 21.

The replies of Lieutcnant-Colpuej f yster and Captain Shields,'' and the '•ecommend'atioh of Major-General Hutton on the Drayton Grange Commission report have been General Hutton says that in fact the finding of the Royal Commission seems inconsistent in laying blame on Colonel Lyster, and recommends the latter's explanation that he did the u. most in his - power be accepted. In legard to Captain Shields,'he recommends thal owing to his experience lie be leniently dealt with by an expression of disapproval. There could, however, be no excuse for Iris attitude towards his superior officer, Colonel Lyster, in an improper communication made tpr the press. The Minister of Defence, in a ‘minute, generally 'agrees with General Hutton’s recommendations, and adds that the Government, while generally agreeing; that Colonel' Lyster desired to do hi* best, regrets that more strenuous efforts were nop made to deal with the difficulties presented. In reference to Captain Shields, he says the Go- ■ eminent regrets that it felt compelled to concur with General Hutton, and that officer would be leniently dealt with by an expression of disapproval.

(SYDNEY, March 21

The fire was one of the tinest, from a spectacular point of view, that has ever been witnessed in Sydney. It is estimated that 100,000 people were in the streets, which considerably hampered the firemen, whose task, owing to the construction ' oi the building and the strong hold the tire obtained, was very difficult.

"’here i:.- go definite information as to the am'uiit of damage or the insurances. The proprietors stale that J2.00J tons of spirits, varnish, drapery, furniture, and other goods were in bond and they estimate the value at from one-half to three-quarters of a million. The building, which a seven-storey one, wgs, valued at £23,000. It is understood that most oi the insurance companies are ‘involved, and tile total will reach a very large amount. A large number of firemen are still engaged in [Hon-, iug water on the smouldering' mass inside the. building, The walls are dangerous. A few adjoining buildings, including the Lord Nelson Hotel, were damaged, chiefly by water and falling debris.