ENGLISH & FOREIGN.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2303, 20 August 1881, Page 3

ENGLISH & FOREIGN.

[BEUTEB'S TEXEGBAH3.I LONDON, August 19. The Markets. Consols have declined and are now quoted at 100£. The Bank rate of discount Las been raised to 3 per cent. Tho rate in the open market remains at 2{. The total reserve in notes and bullion in the Bank of England is £13,250,000. New Zealand securities are unchanged. Adelaide wheat, ex warehouse, remains at 535; Adelaide flour, ex warehouse, 3Ss 6d; and New Zealand wheat, ex ship, at 52s 6d. Australian tallow: best beef, 34s 6d ; best mutton, 36s 6d. August 19. The English and French Commercial

Treaty. In the House of Commons last night, a question was put to the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs with the object of ascertaining the present position of the relations between England and Franco in regard to their commercial treaty. In reply. Sir Charles Dilke annouuced that France had now declined to agree to a prolongation of the existing treaties for a further period of throe months, and in consequence of this refusal a communication had been sent to the French Government, stating that England must decline to consent to a resumption of the negotiations for a new treaty, which were temporarily suspended in June last. It has transpired that the French Government has sent an official note to the British Government, in reply to the latter’s communication announcing that England declines to resume negotiations for a now commercial treaty, in consequence of the refusal of Franco to agree to a temporary prolongation of the present treaties. The French Government explains that its refusal is due to the fact that it is thought that the proposal to prolong the existing treaties is contrary to law. At the same time a hope is expressed that it may yet bo found possible to overcome the obstacles which have arisen. CALCUTTA, August 19. The Rival ChiefsIntelligence has been received from Afghanistan that Ameer Abdul Rahman is now concentrating his forces with the object of marching upon Candahar and opposing the advance of Ayoub Khan.