GENERAL SUMMARY.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 700, 14 July 1870, Page 2

GENERAL SUMMARY.

A dooatetook place on April 26, in/the House of Commons, on Mr Torrens's motion for a select committee to' enquire into the political relations and modes of official inter-communication between self-

governing Colonies and the Mother Country, and report what modifications >ere desirable, and\ also offer practical suggestions as to restrictions on the Imperial veto, and' appoiutment of diplomatic envoys by the Colonies. Mr Eastwick seconded the motion, dwel-ling-mainly on 'the commercial advantages resulting to England from the Colonies. Viscount Bury moved the previous question, and denied the existence of Colonial r disc_ontent. He fegjred that the proposed enquiry would irritate the colonists. . : He would prefer a Royal Commission. Mr Mouseir defended the policy ;pf. the.. Government, and, denied the existence of any Colonial -grievance. He contended that the enquiry, would be likely to produce jealousy and iUrfeelin^. Mr Gladstone closed the debate by assuming the full responsibility of all that had been done. He declared that no new policy had been inaugurated, -: only a development and application .oi principles acted on by former Ministries. He justified the withdrawal of troops as beneficial to the Colony, and refused to consent to the proposed committee. The previous question was carried by a majority of 43. The vagueness of Mr Torren3 >r motion is universally condemned. If it had been confined to an inquiry into New Zealand affairs, the dis-i cushion would, in all probability, have had a definite result. The warnings and remonstrances of the. friends of the Colonies haVe not, however; been' lost orithe Government, which has announced, since the debate, that Parliament will be asked' to guarantee a loan of L1,000,b00 to New Zealand for . road-making,, promotion of immigration, and for 'the purpose of employing friendly natives i^ suppressing the rebellion. ■ The newspapers acquiescfe in this concession. „ , , *. ■*■ The Brindisi route is likely to be forced on . the Government, a3 three/ days ;are. gained occasionally by it over' the Marseilles route. The Queen- left Osborne for Windsor on the 7th inst. After -remaining twelve days she left on the 19th for Scotland. Her Majesty held a drawing-room onihe 10th inst. A State concert was given on the following evening, A State/ baH/fopl place on the 18th. The Prince of Walea held a levee on the 4th ihsfeat St. James' Palace. One hundred and fifty presentatibns'were.'made. ' levee^ ia ? 'fixed' for the 30th. .

The title of the National Emigration League has been changed to .the National Colonial and Emigration 'League. Its scope is enlarged to include the advocacy of a policy in favor of retaining the Colonies as part of the Empire. The 18th Regiment ' is to remain in Australia till August: ■' The Princess Christian was safely delivered of a princess on 3rd insi '• ' '"'

The new b ildiugs for the ( University of London were opened on the 'llth, at the Burlington Gardens, by the Queen, in presence of a brilliant company, with great ceremonial pomp. Last Saturday the hall was opened by the Princess Louisa and Prince Christian. The Prince was elected a Bencher.- ■ The Council of the Royal Academy entertained ' the distinguished company in the new galleries of the academy in Piccadilly. The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge were among the speakers. Prince Arthur, is expected home in July.

Earl of Minto has been invested with the Cross of the Thistle. :• :; :

The High Commissioner of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is James. Byrce, Professor of Civil Law in the Oxford University The Bishop of Chichester and St. Asaph has been consecrated. . ; .. f * ( /"' Earl De Grey aud Ripon has been' installed Grand Master of the Order of Freemasons, and the Earl of Carnarvon deputy. An address 'and : costly testimonial were presented to the Earl of Zetland, the retiring Grand Master. Barnes, ex-Maypr of Manchester, has given L 16,000 for the erection of any hospital. : . t . „,,.. .;; C The new Stanley Park has been opened at Liverpool. . A statue of Mr Gladstone by Mr Acton has been presented to the corporation of Liverpool, and unveiled at St. George's Hall. ■;. ■ A ship canal from Manchester t6 Liverpool is proposed.. Three matches between the American yacht Sappho and English yacht Cambria have been sailed during the month. In the first match the Sappho won by fifteen miles ; second fell through /by the Cam bria refusing to start ; in the third the Sappho was again victorious. . - ; The Prince of Wales has offered a cup for competition between American and British yachts of 100 tons and upwards. The Marquis of Hartingdon introduced the Ballot Bill into the House of Com-, mons.' : v !• A halfpenny stamp on newspapers and'; packets comes into force on Ist October. '