LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2602, 8 January 1885, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. *■»• THE HON. J. CHAMBERLAIN ON PACIFIC ISLANDS ANNEXATION. DEATH OF THE BISHOP OF LONDON. THE CONFERENCE ON THE EGYPTIAN QUESTION. MR. GLADSTONE'S HEALTH. HOMEWARD MAILS. BRITISH PROTECTORATE OF PONDOLAND. THE CONGO CONFERENCE AND AFRICAN SLAVERY. THE ANNEXATION OF ST. LUCIA. (Received January 7, 1.50 p.m.) London, January 6. The Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain addressed bis constituents at Birmingham to-day. In the course of his speech he referred to the question of annexation of the Pacific islands. He declared that England was not entitled to prevent foreigners colonising, but if the rights of Australia were threatened, the whole power of Australia, he said, would be paramount in the Pacific within half a century. (Received January 7, 10.5 p.m.) January 7. The cargo of frozen mutton, comprising 14,000 carcasses, ex steamship Rnapehu, is landed in good condition. The Right Hon. and Right Reverend John Jackson, D.D., Bishop of London, died suddenly last night; aged 74. (Received January 8, 11.45 a.m.)

Evening. No proposal has yet reached the British Government for a Conference to be held at Paris on the Egyptian question ; and if such a proposal be made, the Imperial Government would refuse to accept. Gladstone, who has been suffering from insomnia for several days past, is improving in health.

The Homeward Brindisi mails, per s.s. Orient, from Melbourne, November 29th, were delivered yesterday. Arrived, at Plymouth, the steamship Carthage, from Melbourne, November 29.

(Received January 7, 10.5 p.m.) Capetown, January 6. The British flag is hoisted and protectorate proclaimed over the coast of Pondoland, one of the native states of the Transkei territory, South Africa. Berlin, January 6. At the International Conference on the Congo question it was resolved that in future the sovereign power shall adopt measures to prevent slavery on the West Coast of Africa. (Received January 7, 1.50 p.m.) Evening. The Nord Deutsche Gazette in referring in an article to-day on the recent annexation of Saint Lucia, in Zululand, admits the British right of suzerainty over the territory, notwithstanding the claims put forward by Luderitz and Co., of Bremen. —-«, [special to press association, j London, January 3. A number of emigrants will bo despatched to Tasmania during March. The Right Hon. W. E. Forster, writing to the Times, advises Mr Gladstone to comply with the remaining claims (?), otherwise the permanent union with the Australasian colonies is unlikely. The Spectator says that nothing can be done while the colonies are disunited on the question of annexation. The Times admits the Australian resentment is just if the New Hebrides are abandoned. Governor Broome, of Western Australia, has arrived in Loudon. January 4. The Times considers that the incapacity of the Cabinet in dealing with external affairs is a source of national danger. The Powers propose to guarantee a loan to Egypt, providing that England evacuates before a 6xed date. The frozen meat ex s.s. Ruapehu, from Lytlelton, is in splendid condition. General Campecon, the French Minister of War, has resigned that position in consequence of the refusal to send further reinforcements to Tonquin. General Lowal will probably succeed him. Mr Gladstone wiil visit Nice shortly. The St, James' Gazette says there is

reason to fear that Germany intends to purchase the Dutch interest in New Guinea.

The Spectator suggests that if Frauce obtains the control over the New Hebrides, that country should be urged, to refrain from deporting convicts to the Pacific. It is reported that the Czar of Russia has" been crowned Emperor of Central Asia. Sir Anthony Musgrove, Governor of Queensland, is mentioned as a probable successor to Lord Augustus Loftus, as Governor of New South Wales. [SPECIAL TO MELBOURNE AGE.] London, December 22. Mr Murray Smith, Agent-General for Victoria, has made a formal protest to the Colonial Office against the annexation policy of Germany in the Pacific. The Permanent Uuder-Secretary for the Colonial Office asserts that Germany, in negotiations with the British Government, pledged herself not to meddle with New Guinea. It is expected that France will shortly annex the New Hebrides. The Times this morning, referring to the German annexation in the Pacific, states that the incapacity and ignorance of the Colonial Office are unlimited, and that the inheritance of the Australian colonies has been gambled away. The Times is also of opinion that the colonies will naturally resent what has taken place. The Daily News says that Holland is merely holding a portion of New Guinea as trustee for Germany.