SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS TO MELBOURNE PAPERS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1394, 21 March 1881, Page 2

SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS TO MELBOURNE PAPERS.

London, March 8. The Government were ignorant of the proposal to grant an armistice to the Boers in the Transvaal, hut they approve of Sir Evelyn Wood’s conduct in the matter.

March 10. It is rumored that Gladstone is about to resign office, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, and that he will be succeeded by Childers, while the Marquis of Hartington will succeed Childers as Secretary of War. Gladstone will continue to hold office as First Lord of the Treasury. Lowell, the United States Minister at London, has demanded the release of Boj ton, arrested under the Coercion Act on the ground that he is an American citizen, and claims the protection of the United States Government. The members of the Irish Land League who have been arrested under the Coercion Act are well satisfied by the treatment they receive in gaol. They have been visited by Dillon, member for Tipperary. Cloture has been enforced in the House of Commons, with a view of expediating the passing of the Arms Bill. It is reported that Mr Jackson, puisne Judge of the Gold Coast, is dead. Authority has been given by the Home Government to prolong the armistice at the Transvaal, if it should be considered necessary, Boyton has asked Lowell, the United States Minister in London, to request the American Government to interfere legally for the protection of the Irish. Plague of a turbulent type has broken out at Bagdad, Asiatic Turkey. Sir S. Northcote, leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons, has issued a manifesto which declares that Gladstone’s proposal to apply cloture in Committee of Supply is supervisive of the liberty of the House of Commons. It is probable that this question will bring about a collision between the Government and the Opposition. The non-arrest of the leading members of the Irish Land League has been much criticised. March 12. The Arms Bill relating to Ireland has been passed by the House of Commons. A Conservative candidate has been elected to fill the vacancy which had occurred in the representation of Coventry in the House of Commons. Hitherto Coventry has returned two Liberals.