LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2534, 6 August 1884, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. >——< AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION ENABLING BILL. RELIEF OF GENERAL GORDON AND KHARTOUM. IMPORTANT PROPOSED STEPS IN REGARD TO EGYPT. PROPOSED REFORM OF THE FRENCH CONSTITUTION. TUMULTUOUS SCENES AT THE CONGRESS SITTING. THE LANGSON AFFAIR. FAILURE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS RE INDEMNITY. (Received August 5, 3 p.m.) London, August 4. In the House of Commons to-day, the Hon. E. Gladstone, in reply to a question, stated that if an Australasian Federation Enabling Bill was likely to pass without opposition, Government was prepared to introduce such a measure during the present session. The Premier, in reply to a further question, announced that Government intends to ask the House to-morrow for credit to cover the expense of the expedition to Khartoum, if steps for the relief of General Gordon are shown to be necessary. Mr Gladstone added that Government purposes taking important steps in regard to Egypt, and he hoped to be able to announce the nature of the proposed action to-morrow. (Received August 5, 10 p.m.) August 5. The statement made by Mr Gladstone in the House of Commons yesterday is giving rise to considerable speculation on the part of the public and daily press as to the precise nature of the important step which Government preposes to take in consequence of the want of success which attended the deliberations of the International Conference on Egyptian Affairs. In its issue this morning the Daily News affirms that the Premier's statement indicates a departure for Egypt at an early date of one of the leading Liberal statesmen, and probably a member of the Cabinet, who will be entrusted with extended powers to act on behalf of the British Government. The Daily News also states that the Government has decided to ask Parliament for credit to the amount of .£300,000, to cover the expenses of a military expedition for the rescue of General Gordon and the relief of Khartoum, if it should be necessary. It has transpired that the Conservative party has decided not to assent to the passing of the proposed Australasian Fedaration Enabling Bill, during the present session. (Received August l>, 1 p.m.) Evening. In the House of Commons this afternoon, Mr Gladstone made his promised statement as to the intention of Government in regard to Egypt. He announoed that Earl North brook, First Lord of the Admiralty, will proceed to that country this month, with the title of High Commissioner, to repot t upon the state of affairs, and advise Government as to the best course to pursue. His lordship will be accompanied by Sir Evelyn Baring, formerly British Consul-General in Egypt. (Received August 5, 3 p.m.) Paris, August 4. The Congress to discuss the question of the proposed reform of the French Constitution met to-day at Versailles. The proceedings were marked with considerable disorder, and several scenes of tumult arose. The sitting of the Congress had finally to be suspended. (Received August 6, 1.40 a.m.) Hong-Kong, August 4. The negotiations for the settlement of the Langson affair have been broken off, the French and Chinese authorities having failed to arrive at any agreement regarding the payment of the war indemnity demanded by France.

[special to press association.] London, July 31. The report of the French Senate leaves the names of the colonies to which Recidivistes are to be relegated blank. This concession is due to the protests of Australia. August 1. Sir Henry Parkes sails for Australia, via San Francisco, to-morrow. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach has been elected Chairman of the National Tory Union, Lord Randolph Churchhill having retired from that position. A congress of the two French Chambers will be held at Versailles on Monday next, to take into consideration the revision of the Recidiviste Bill. It is believed in Foo-Chow that war with France is imminent. The English commander at that port is landing sailors to protect Europeans, and Chinese merchants have sold their fleets to Americans.