CABLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2062, 24 April 1907, Page 2

CABLES.

l'xiisss association— riorvnioHT

LONDON, April 22

At the National Land and Housing Association luncheon, and an enthusiastic demonstration in London, fe II 0. Bannerman and Mr. Winbtoii Churchill outlined the Govcrnmord programme. Mr. John Burns Va a lion Bill, which is promised this session, was described as the first step to reform. Its object was tl.ee fold, to disentangle the value o from that of buildings a “d meets, to adjust rates accoiding to ability to pay, and to intercept on behalf 'of the country futuro u earned increment. Mr. H»rc Small Holdings Bill would fo low later. Sir H. C. Bannerman said he aspired to filling the land and giving the peasantry some little foothold where they would no longer be tied men, but free. He hoped to see bright, pleasant homes for people m the cities, and vigorous and well-1 nourished children playing m tne gardens instead of in sunless stieets. Mrs Doa’lcin, interviewed, emphasised the necessity for women immigrants of a good wholesome type. She stated they were opening Australia for working domestic women, also those of advanced education. Mrs Lewis-Hill’s sale of jewellery, pictures, and china realised altogether £124,000. Captain Frederick Guest, on beliall of the Colonial CUbco, luncheoncd the colonial pressmen at the ltitz Hotel. Mr. Samuel. Cook, of Sydney, responded on behalf of Australians. The Princess of Wales was deeply touched when Mrs Deakirr, wile of the Federal Prime Minister, informed her of her message of loyalty and love from the women of Australia. Lady Ward states that she does not wish to see women members of Parliament. Thdir work lies at home.

CALCUTTA, April 22.

The Ameer of Afghanistan, with a large escort, has started upon a tour of his kingdom. BERLIN, April 22. The German Navy League lias reached a membership of 900,070, an increase of 40,884 for the year. The Cologne Gazette, replying to Lord Twecdmoutli,' declares it is imposible to expect Germany to acquiesce in the permanent naval supremacy of Britain. ROME, April 22. King Edward and Queen Alexandra are greatly enjoying their visit to Naples. Ring Emmanuel, at the anniversary of the foundation of Rome, launched at Spezzia the battleship Rome, of 12,625 tons, with a speed of 22 knots. PRETORIA, April 22. Mr. Smuts, at a meeting at Pretoria, expressed a hope that the Ilet Volk would unitedly support legislation this session in connection with unskilled labor, education, and the establshment "of colonies for unemployed. He concluded by recommending the formation of a great English-Dutch bilingual party to rule the country not for five but for fifty years. ST. PETERSBURG, April 22. The steamer Archangel, with SO passengers, was crossing the Neva in a snowstorm, when she struck an icctloe and foundered almost immediately. The pasengers fought for the few life-belts. A passing vessel rescued twelve men and three women. The remainder were carried away by the current and drowned. PARIS, April 22. Major Taylor, a negro cyclist, was refused' admission to the Hotel Sydney, Paris, because American boarders objected. OTTAWA, April 22. The Montreal Witness states that Lord Strathcona is retiring from the Canadian High Commissionersliip, Sir Wilfrid Laurier replacing him, with a peerage. HOBART, April 22. The escapees from the Campbelltown gaol were recaptured. MELBOURNE, April 22.

Under an ordinance dealing with

native labor in Papua, which has received the assent of the. Federal Executive, it is made illegal to remove a native out of the territory or transport him more than 40 miles from home, excepting in gazetted labor districts. Permits will be granted to carry natives as seamen, boatmen, or personal attendants to

Australia and islands of the Western Pacific under specified conditions, security being given that they will be returned from whence they came. The Salvation Army is starting an Anti-Suicide Bureau, to lend assistance to persons in trouble contemplating suicide. The eight-hour celebration was somewhat spoiled by damp weather in the aftornon. The unions turned out in great strength. The usual procession through the streets was held.

The Motor Cycle Club’s 100 mile race was won by Hall’s 5-liorse power Pengeot machine in 2hrs 41min, tlio world’s record.

SYDNEY, April 22

Mr. Forsyth states that the North German Lloyd’s Company jiroposo to establish a line of steamers from Singapore to New Britain, thence possibly round by Sydney and Westralia back to Singapore. A vessel ol about 2000 tons will bo employed. The company are negotiating with the Dutch Government to grant a subsidy for touching at Dutch New Guinea.

Large areas have recently bee applied for in New Guinea for nil ber production and other tropici industries.

The morning papers, commenting on Air. Donkin's references at the Pilgrims’ Club banquet to the position of the Pacific, urge the necessity of Australia learning the fact of the altered circumstances which the presence and activity of foreign nations has created. The Telegraph adds that when the Panama Canal is opened, and the hustle for trade receives a powerful impetus derived from the influx of a huge volume of now shipping in the Pacific, Australia can hardly fail to feci the position more acutely. When the present restrictionist exclusion tactics will no longer avail, Australia’s period of isolation will ho over.

ADELAIDE, April 23,

Diver is visiting Adelaide. He declined an offer of £IOO a week to lecture on the ground that he had i great dislike, for a man making a show of himself.

PERTH, April 22. A prospector named Hunter has applied for the protection of an area of gold and silver near Deenigup. lie states that lie traced lodes 200 yards wide a distance of 25 miles. An assay from the surface gave 3o v. S dwt gold and 14ox silver to the ton. Practical minors acquainted with the country are inclined to be sceptics l of the discovery.

THE PREMIERS. ENTERTAINING THE PREMIERS. Received April 23, 11.32 p.m. LONDON, April 23. The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland gave a dinner and great reception in honor of the Premiers, at which Miss Ada Crossley sang. The Antwerp Municipality has invited the Premiers to visit the city after the conference. PEACE CONFERENCE. Received April 23, 11.32 p.m. LONDON, April 23. It is officially announced (fiat Sir Edward Fry, Sir E. Snlovv, Lord Rcay, and Sir Henry Howard will he the British delegates to the Hague Convention. The names of the naval and military experts will he announced later. Woods' Groat, Peppermint Cure for Coughs and Colds never fails,—-Is fid uud Gd.

THE NEW HEBRIDES. Received April 23, 11.32 p.m. LONDON, April 23.

Mr Churchill has communicated with the Premiers of Australasia regarding the nomination of a representative on the Anglo-French Commission to consider detail* arising out of the New Hebrides Gonven-

THE imperial conference.

PRESS COMMENTS

LONDON, April 22. The Daily Telegraph says the Conference of Prime Ministers of the Empire is now a fact, each with a responsibility to his own part of the Empire, while as a body of Premiers they are responsible to tho. whole Empire. That is a great gain. Tho Daily News declares that it is fitting that the great step should bo made under the aegis of the Liberal Government with the mouthpiece of permanent officials, and that there should he conceded to the Conference all the trappings of national independence and Imperial partnership, while claiming it more firmly to Downing Street. The News proceeds to eulogise Mr. JDeakin’s courage, and regrets Sir AVilfrid Laurier deserted the cause of the younger nations.

The Daily Mail says that Lord Elgin’s ruling at the first sitting that Ministers accompanying the Premiers were expected to remain within call of the Colonial Office in case they were wanted for consulting was a delicate request to withdraw. The phrase “within call” astounded the Ministers, who were indignant, and asked why they had been brought to England, unless for the purpose of participating at the Conference. The Standard expresses satisfaction at the progress made, considering the British spirit of caution and compromise. A stroke of the pen abolishes the conception of the sister States as dependencies of the Motherland. Britain’s Premier in future will be primus inter pares. The Daily Express declares that the week’s work has been excellent. The Daily Graphic hopes an undersecretary will be appointed to superintend the new division and deal witli the self-governing States. The Times declares that the reason the conference did not go further was that the -Premiers were not unanimous meanwhile for a common consultation so necessary to avoid mistakes in Imperial policy. We must look to the ample use of tho subsidiary conference.

The Tribune, predicts that the common business of the Empire will be notably facilitated.

During discussion Sir Win. Lyne objected to the title “Imperial” being applied to the Conference, unless its limitations jyere clearly defined .

The Spectator says file Conference is a lesson in political charity. It shows that it is quite possible to maintain freedom for the component parts of the Empire alon- with a very real unity. The great thing to be avoided is placing any limitation or even strain upon the principle of liberty. The paper adds: “We have no hesitation in saying that freedom is better than Freetrado; and we expect ami believe that Protectionists, whether here or in the colonies will say also that freedom is greater than Protection.”

The Daily Chronicle, discussing the first fruits of the Conference, declares that these resolutions will assure perpetuity and continuity, while tho Prime Minister’s assumption of the Presidency will add to the status

of the Conference, lifting it above the level of a merely departmental affair. Moreover the subsidiary conference would render such incidents as those which arose in connection with Newfoundland and the New Hebrides impossible. The Times says the decisions of the Conference are good as far as they go. They provided some machinery possibly of great practical value for

the future, but it was idle to disguise the fact that they would not realise their full measure. What hope had an “Imperial Conference” with the Prime Minister as ex-officio President? It was by far the fullest recognition of an equal footing as Imperial states that had yet been given, and goes beyond the position the Prime Minister took up at the opening. It was to be hoped that at future Conferences the Prime Minister would preside personally throughout. Nevertheless the secretariat seems to have been restricted as far as possible, remaining essentially a section of the Colonial Office. This was hardly consistent with tho earlier part of the resolution. If the self-governing colonies were placed on an equality with the Home Governmnt, it was scarcely logical that the official staff dealing with their business should be subordinated to the Colonal Secretary, and actually within his ordinary Department. Sooner or later the secretariat must emerge from its shell. OTTAWA, April 23.

The Toronto Mail, the chief organ of the Conservatives, complains that Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s attitude at the conference is cold, indifferent, and unfair towards Canada.

FULLER REPORTS IVANTED. LONDON, April 22. The Standard, Tribune, Chronicle, and other papers protest that the official daily reports of the Conference are mere shadows of the transactions. There is .a strong feeling among the Premiers that a full report should now be issued to members of the Conference and that daily instalments should also be issued to the public, minus such secret matters (as those connected with defence) as Lord Elgin might decide to omit.

STATUS OF THE CONFERENCE. LONDON, April 22.

Mr. Deakin states that neither ho nor any other Premier ever suggested the creation of an authoritative body, with executive legislative jurisdiction. Lord Elgin’s denunciation of an independent body which would interfere with autonomy is beside the quostion, since no one ever hinted at such a proposal. All through. Mr. Deakin, Sir Joseph Ward, Dr. Jameson, and Mr. Moore had simply been fighting for the independence of future conferences in regard to the Colonial Office, and as far as possible of the British public service altogether. Although they had not secured emancipation from the Colonial Office, that would bo won at the next conference. „ MELBOURNE, April 23. Mr. Reid, interviewed, said lie was glad Mr. Deakin’s proposal had been modified so as to leave the arrangements in connection with the Imperial Conference very much as they were. Tlio importance and dignity of future Conferences would be augmented considerably hv the fact that the British Prime Minister would be ex officio president. Referring to Sir IV. Lyne’s attitude he declared that wherever Mr. Lyno went there was sure to be some china broken.

SIR W. LYNE’S POSITION. LONDON, April 22. Sir W. Lyno propounded two alteratives, either that lie be treated is a member of the conference or hat lie leave the country in 24 lours. This threat had effect.

THE SECRETARIAT. Received April 23, 11. IS p.m. LONDON, April 23. The Daily Chronicle says: Tlio Imperial Conference secretariat has been belittled in some quarters as a triumph of bureaucracy. Wo trust that Lord Elgin will not so interpret it. However ably manned, the Colonial Office does not enjoy the wholehearted confidence of colonial opinion. Ihe secretariat should ho so organised by infusion with actual colonial experience as to command as equally to deserve that confidence. DEFENCE OF THE TRANSVAAL.’ Received April 23, 11.18 p.m. LONDON, April 23. According to the military correspondent of the Standard, General Botha submits to the Colonial Coalorenco for the approval of tlio Homo Government: a proposal for tlio establishment of a voluntary force for

the defence of the Transvaal, and the organisation of the burghers into battalions on the principle of the volunteers in British countries, with the right field pieces for mounted forces.

SHIPPING MISHAPS. THE DOUBLE WRECK. ADELAIDE, April 22. The barque Norma’s cargo was insured lor £21,-100. Lloyd’s took £lO, 000. and the balance was divided between local offices. The hull was insured in London, the amount boing unknown.

The steamer Palmer had a narrow escape. Early in the morning she bumped over the wreck of the Norma, but luckily sustained little damage.

The boat which went to the rescue of Johnson, the carpenter of the Norma, heard cries for two hours, but owing to the rough sea was unable to reach him. Mo must have succumbed to exposure and exhaustion.

ADELAIDE. April 23. Tlio captain of the s.s. Palmer says he mistook the warning signals as those of a vessel in distress and passed right over the wreck of the Norma and Jessie Darling. The master of the Palmer declares tlmt the signals were not placed in accordance with the regulations.

The master of the Ardeneraig states lie showed blue lights and flares from early on Saturday night until the time of the disaster. Though ho burned ovory light except two, and over 20 ' gallons of kerosene, it was never noticed from the shore. -I he on the Norma’s cargo was only completed at noon on Saturday. 'llie Jessie Darling was insured for £ISOO in the National and New Zealand ollices, divided amongst other offices. The Admiralty Court, on behalf of the owners of tlio Norma, placed the Ardencraig under arrest. THE WILLYAMA WRECK. ADELAIDE, April 22. Owing to heavy woather further damaging the steamer Willyama the owners have abandoned lier hull to the underwriters. The steamer was insured in the South British and China Traders’ Companies for £OOOO in each office. The Adelaide Steamship Company also carried a portion of the risk.

WORK AND WAGES.

TROUBLE WITH COAL LUMPERS SYDNEY. April 22.

The situation in regard to the coal lumpers’ trouble is becoming more acute, owing to the increased demand for coal as the result of new arrivals. The employers find themselves unable to cope with the demand. A fow more men have signed the agreement, blit they are not coming forward in anything like the numbers required to ensure expeditious bunkering. Neither side shows any intention of weakening. A mass meeting resolved to appoint delegates to lay the position before the Newcastle coal lumpers and South Coast miners. Should the outcome of this be that the men at other ports take any steps to sympathise with the Sydney Union, the trouble would become much more serious than at present. Picketing is being extensively employed. The picket's persuaded members not. to accept work under the new conditions. Policemen are stationed in the vicinity of the bureau, but so far their services have not been required. There have been two isolated cases where violent methods were resorted to. One was reported at Byrne’s wharf. The police had to interfere to rescue a non-unionist, who was roughly handled. The second case occurred at Miller’s Point.

WORK LUMPERS TtotUcT Received April 24, 12.25 a.m. SYDNEY, April 23.

The Ortona coaled with her own crew, and the French mail steamer Yarra coaled with her Arab crew and got away to-day. The coaling of the Niwaru has been commenced by non-unionists. Satisfactory arrangements have been made for bunkering the Suffolk, which reached port to-day. There is a novel development in connection with the coaling of the Tsinan. Two of her Chinese crew were engaged in working the winches aboard the - collier alongside. The strikers reported the matter to their union, and a warrant was issued charging the Chinese as contract immigrants in contravention of the Immigration Act with landing in Australia before the Minister had approved of the contract. The Chinamen wore brought to the Police Court, and remanded till to-morrow on bail.