YESTERDAY’S CABLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2137, 12 March 1908, Page 4

YESTERDAY’S CABLES.

- In tho House of Commons, during tli*> debate on tlit' Navy Estimates, 31 r Edmund Robertson, Financial Secretary to the Admiralty, referring to the new type of .shins; said the worst that could happen would lie tlut Germany and franco together iii 1910 might, in the event ol certain aecolerations, have twelve battleships and cruisers to our twelve, but early in 1911 they would have twelve and we fourteen'. Mr Balfour emphasised that in January, 1911, we would have eight Dreadnoughts and four battleships of the Invincible type against the German’s nine vessels of the newest type, and by the, autumn of 19.11 Germany would have four additional, or thirteen to our twelve. Teh vote fixing the navy personnel at £128,000 was agreed to. Mr. Murray MacDonald’s amendment in favor of a reduction hv £SOOO was negatived without division. Mr Robertson, discussing the naval vote, incidentally stated that both, sides of the House accepted tho two-Power standard, which the Admiralty considered the new programme amply maintained. Mr Balfour insisted that by the end of 1911 Germ my would enjoy a dangerous superiority in Dreadnoughts if she was able to build as fast as Britain. ft' lias now been arranged that King Edward, after visiting Biarritz, will "make a brief stay in Paris, accompanying Queen Alexandra thence to Copenhagen. The statement that Britain ami Germany exchanged views regarding the Kaiser’s letter in reference *0 reduction of naval •armaments is officially denied in London. Official statements published in London and. Berlin agree that good relations lie- • tween the two countries are undisturbed. The Times argues that Lord Tweedmoutli did not deny its statements that the Kaiser’s letter was elaborate in character, and intended to persuade the British Admiralty that German preparations by no means came at a critical moment, and were not calculated to strengthen the hands of the advocates, of adequato defence. People could hardly help iellecting that the Government has po- ' wer to publish Lord lVeedmoUtli’s reply, and if it did-not contain i l’.ytliing relating to his department, publication ' would relieve the anxiety. The Times adds that opinion, throughout Europe will not be satisfied till the whole correspondence on the matter is received. The Standard declares the action of consulting Sir Edward Grey was the only regularity in a hopelessly bungled affair, ihe correspondence, by the Kaiser’ permission, should, be printed in England and Germany. The Times states that the Kaiser doubtless bantered lord Esher, but the substance of iiis letter was a long and elaborate argument involving labor and time, And intended to demonstrate that German naval preparation did not necessitate corresponding British additions. Against the advice of Air W. Runiciman, financial secretary to the Treasury, the Scottish Grand Committee adopted a Bill permitting tobacco in Scotland. Obituary: Sir. Lope! Griffin. ■ aged 6S. - A falling cage in a colliery at Charleroi, in Brussels, killed ten miners. Atervyn H. Hughes, connected with H. P. Hughes and iSons, woolhrokers, committed suicide on a train travelling to Lewes in England. His wife whilst going to identify his body also committed suicide. A monster meeting at Canton, China, resenting the release of the Tatsumaru, resolved to boycott Japan esc manufactures. ’Washington State officials declare that Venezuela's discourtesy is so grave as almost to compel the United States to send an ultimatum. It is asserted that President Roosevelt and Air Root consider it necessary to chastise President Castro. Enormous sympathetic crowds welcomed King. Alfonso at Barcelona, which has been a seat of revolutionary activity. _ In the Brisbane Assembly Afr Kidston, referring to the tangles that have occurred over the elections of Speakers and Chairmen of Committees, declared that no party was to blame for the existing state of affairs. He had failed- to induce the other parties to give way, and therefore did the next best thing, let his own party retire from the election of Chairman. Mr Barton moved the Adclrcss-in-Reply. It expressed the opinion that last Pafiliament in refusing supply had acted .constitutionally and respectfully, and expressed regret that the Governor had seen fit to dissolve a Parliament newly elected and perfectly willing to carry on the business, providing the Governor took the advice tendered. It placed on record disapproval of the methods employed to obtain..control of £687,000" of public money after the Assembly had not given express authority, but had absolutely refused to do so. While 'recognising the extensive powers of the royal prerogative with which, the Governor was vested, it was maintained that the constitutional practice required that those powers should bo exercise by such persons in such a manner as was acceptable to a majority of the House, and the manner His Excellency’s late advisers had counselled the. exercise of the Governor’s powers was an invasion of their rights as a self-go-verning people. The debate was adjourned. The extraordinary tone of the Address is generally understood to be the beginning of a campaign that Mr Ividston is entering on in regard to the Governor. It is believed that included in the campaign will bo a resolution refusing supply covering the amount expended during the Philp regime. In the N'SAV. Assembly Mr McGowan declared that if the Arbitration Act was to go and Wages Boards were substituted the Opposition would oppose the Bijl. A political party and certain strong outside influences had done their utmost to impair, the efficiency of the Arbitration Act and render it inefficient." A similar Act in New Zealand 'worked excellently. Air Wade said the new Bill contained provisions that would meet the aproval of the Opposition. I he wants of both sides as’well as the general public had been considered. No side would be allowed t 0 dislocate industrial life by a lockout oiystrike. When they had reached the stage at which they could adjust grievances the law would compel the two sides to come together aiid the troubles to be ad-, justed by a proper -tribunal!. The Government were determined, to put down sweating. Air McGowan moved an amendment to the adjourned reply, censuring the Government for their action in connection with the, recent Harbor Trust appointments.-' These appointments __ included the transference of Mr Keole from presidency of the Water and Sewage Board'to the Harbor Trust. The motion was really aimed at this appointment, which lias caused a lot of political feeling-ami • wrangling. Air Wade, replying, vigorously defended the Government’s actions. The Postmaster-General lias sanctioned the Vancouver mail steamers calling at Fanning Island on the trip from Canada instead of the outward run, subject to a condition that the change wil not be detrimental to Australian interests. The Comptroller General of Customs, reporting on Adelaide opium smuggling, says it is very doubtful if the prohibition lias lessened to any great extent the amount’ of opium brought to Australia. The price lias risen enormously, users being willing to pay any price. The gains are so enormous that others beside Chinese arc tempted to enter the trade. The great bulk is smuggled in by coal steamers. It is’feared’a certain quantity will continue to find its way in, despite all efforts. He urges the various States to pass such suppressive legislation as will strengthen the hands of the police. Bishop Stretch, in his opening address at the Anglican Synod at Newcastle, N.S.W., dealing with the question of national defence, said: “If the community! expects in time of danger that all able bodied men will rally to. the country’s caffl it becomes its duty to give to all such I training in arms as should save .their

courage from being mere suicide. Believing training could be planned to do nwav with liimkinism and add to the physique of the race, wo do not wish, if war comes, lo see our manhood die for lack of knowledge, so it seems to me universal training may well be regarded by -a Christian man as the strongest assurance we shall not fie attacked." , In the Brisbane Assembly Mr Manglum, a Labor nominee, was elected chairman of committees by 30 to 2i>. tile Government and Labor parties combining against the Opposition. Mr Bowman, lender of the Labor oartv, previously announced Unit he did hot intend compromise with any ;ither party, hut so long ns. they not asked’ to violate their election pledges or principles liis. party would lie prepared to give the Government support and assist in facilitating the business of the country. Magnificent- rains have t alien over ►he whole State of (South Australia. There havo boon heavy floods in the north 'l'lie railway is blocked between. Warrinn and Oodnadatta.