TELEGRAPHIC.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1061, 21 November 1877, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

C ABLE_NEWS [reuter’s special telegrams to the PRESS AGENCY.] Turkish Disasters. Mukhtar Completely Defeated. Reported Russian Intention to Cross Balkans. Reported Death of Gourka. Death of the Pope Reported and Denied. London, November 5. Ministerial changes in tho Porto arc imminent, owing to diastors to tho army. A division of G eneral Zimmerman’s corps has advanced, notwithstanding the bad weather. Telegrams from Stamboul say that Sulieman Pasha has been ordered to assume the offensive. Chefket Pasha has retired from command at Orchanie, and has been superseded by Mehemet Ali. Ismael Pasha has been appointed to the command at Er«eroum.

Sail (Her beat Kelly to-day. The Thame s stakes were £4OO. November 0. Russian forces in Asia attacked the Turkish positions at Erzeroum on Monday afternoon, and after ten hours’ lighting the Turkish centre was shattered. Mukhtar Pasha was slightly wounded. The Russians at Vetova on Friday were repulsed with a loss of several hundreds. Two thousand live hundred Servians are massed on the frontier, and skirmishing has commenced. It is reported at St. Petersburg!) that Tgnaticff has stated that Russia would be certain of German sympathy as the consequence of the annexation of Armenia, and also in view of the formation of independent states on the Lower Danube. A telegram to the “Times” states that Kars is closely invested. The Russians have invested the western side. Mukhtar’s position at Dovitzoyan is nearly untenable. The Russians occupied the country clos to Orehaine. Mehemet AH has arrived at Sophia to command the army at Orchanie. Russian deserters report that General Gourka is killed. Great uneasiness is felt regarding the Pope’s health. He never rises from his chair. His weakness is general, and increasing. Ite the French elections, at a meeting of the Left, it was decided that no member should assume the formation of a Cabinet without a guarantee against sudden dismissal. For the Indian Famine Fund the total subscribed is £146,000. November 7. Mukhtar was completely routed on Monday at Dcvitzoyan. He is now retreating to Trebizonde. It is reported that the Russians occupied Erzeroum yesterday. The inhabitants objected to Mukhtar’s defence of the city. It is semi-o fftcially reported that a Russian army of 70,000 men will cross the Balkans under General Gourka, regardless of the fate of Plevna, and advance on Adrinople. November 8. The French Chamber met After transacting formal business the Senate adjourned. Greavy was elected President of the Assembly. Three days will bo occupied in examining the returns. The real business will commence on the 12 th. The capture of Erzeroum is confirmed. Captain Barnaby has loft London for Bulgaria, He hopes 'to enter Plevna on the 12th. The Pope’s death was reported in Paris today. November 13. There has been more fighting at Shipka Pass. The Turks report that the Russian loss was 500 men. The Russian cavalry are scouring the country between Plevna and Widdin. The members of the National Assembly met yesterday. A committee was appointed to inquire into the means employed during the elections to distort votes. The organs of the Left assert that if the Senate vote to dissolve again the Assembly will not submit. The death of the Pope is denied. PARLIAMENTARY. Last light’s Proceedings. Wellington, November 21. The Marine Act Amendment, and Cemeteries Management Bills wr ere read a third time. On. the motion for going into Committee of Supply, Major Atkinson proceeded to discuss the Financial Statement. lie commenced by giving a r view of the public works finance of the colony since 1870 and the changes which had taken place in the personnel, policy, and system of finance, of the Government during that period. The most important change was introduced by him in 1875, when an annual appropriation of the loan for public works was substituted for a permanent appropriation. The debt had been increased about eleven millions in the seven years, but only about £8,000,000 had been spent in the colony, for which they had 100,000 immigrants, 860 miles of railway, 2300 miles of road, 3229 miles of telegraph, public buildings, lighthouses, goldfields works, and land worth three-quarters of a million. He reviewed the policy of the late Government, showing how it had provided for all contingencies without seizing the land fund or increasing taxation, and said that in a few months more tlqe finances of the colony would have been placed in a thoroughly satisfactory condition. He pointed out a large number of inaccuracies and discrepancies in Mr Larnach’s statement, and asked how the deficiency of £700,000 shown after the Land Fund, was to be met. He denied Mr Larnach’s and Sir G. Grey’s statements about the provincial liabilities, and said that they had all been provided for by the lute Government, but the present one was treating as liabilities what were not so. Hp denied the necessity for a four million loan. The Treasury bills could all bo funded under the Inscription of Stock Act. He complained of the charge made of the late Ministry having concealed the indebtedness of the colony, and challenged proof. The policy of the late Ministry had been well considered, prudent, and far seeing. That of the present Ministry was illusory and deceptive and absolutely unreliable. Sir G. Grey replied at length to Major Atkinson, maintaining the absolute correctness of bis own previous statements and those of Mr Larnach as to the financial position of the colony. He denied that the late Government had provided for the provincial liabilities and other claims. The present expenditure was £27,000 per week on the public works, and in five weeks the whole balance of the loan would be spent. Not haring time to make fresh Estimates lie asked the House to accept those of his predecessors as the amounts were not to bo exceeded, but the Government would in admistration make large reductions. He condemned the finance and administration of the late Government as unjust, and guided bj favoritism to the few. Tlie polio/ of tjie

present Government would be justice to all, with a fair system of taxation and representation, a common land law, and a common land fund. He replied at length to Major Atkinson’s personal remarks and criticism of Mr Larnach’s figures. Mr McLean spoke at great length, defending the policy of the late Government. He criticised the proposals and figures of the present Ministry, condemning the robbery of Canterbury and Otago by taking their land fund, and expressing surprise at the Otago and Canterbury members of the Ministry beingjeonsenting part ies. The debate was then adjourned to Thursday, and the House rose at 12.35 a.m. Railway Committee. The Committee on Railways Management report that it is expedient that the management of railways open for traffic should be under separate management to railways under construction; that there should be a permanent Commissioner of Railways ; that New Zealand coal be used on the railways; that the block system be used on all lines where there are long tunnels; that it is inexpedient at present to lease the railways, but as an experiment, it is desirable to lease the Auckland and Waikato railway for seven years ; that sufficient trains be run on Sundays to meet the public requirements; that railway tickets should be purchaseable at shops like postage stamps, or at the railway stations at any time during office hours. Political News. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, November 21. Major Atkinson made an able speech last night. He reviewed the past policy of his Government and the present policy of this one. Sir G. Grey replied in his usual style, not touching Major Atkinson’s figures, but making charges of corruption, Ac. The debate was adjourned till Thursday, when it is understood it will be concluded. To-day is devoted to private bills. The Government are very sanguine of remaining in office.