LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2640, 21 February 1885, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. AFFAIRS IN SOUDAN. STATEMENTS IN BRITISH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT. THE POWER OP THE MAHDI. THE OFFERS OF THE COLONIES. EGYPTIAN FINANCES. BRITISH TROOPS TO RETREAT. NOTICE OP CENSURE OF THE GOVERNMENT. AUSTRALASIAN FEDERATION ENABLING BILL. THE QUEEN INSPECTING THE GRENADIER GUARDS. RETURN HOME OF THE PRINCE OF WALES. IMPERIAL FEDERATION. CABINET MINISTERS’ EXPRESSIONS ON THE OFFERS OF COLONIAL ASSISTANCE. BRITISH MILITIA FOR GARRISON DUTY. (Received February 20, 10 p.m.) London, February 19. In the Houses of Lords and Commons to-day, statements were respectively made by Earl Granville and the Hon. W. B. Gladstone as to the intentions of Government in respect to Soudan. They stated that the Ministerial policy was still to evacuate that country; but it was resolved that the British forces should go to Khartoum and break the power of the Mahdi. The selection of the time for the advance of the expedition was left to Lord Wolseley, but it would probably be in the autumn. Both speakers warmly recognised the beneficial influence of the offers of troops by the colonies. With regard to Egyptian finances they said the questions at issue had been honorably arranged with the Powers. In the House of Commons the Marquis of Hartington, Secretary of State for the War Department, in reply to a question, slated that the troops at El Metemneh, under Major-General Duller, would probably be ordered to fall back on Korti or Merawi.

Sir Stafford Northcote gave notice of a motion censuring the Egyptian policy of (he Government. The Hon. W. E. Gladstone announced that the Australasian Federation Enabling Bill would shortly be introduced in the House.

Arrived, at Plymouth, the Orient steamship Sorata, from Melbourne, January 9. (Received February 21, 12.50 a.rn.)

Evening. The Prince of Wades hm returned to London from Cannes.

The Queen to-day inspected at Windsor the Grenadier Guards who are about to proceed to Egypt. At a banquet given by the London Chamber of Commerce to-day, the Hon. Evelyn Ashley, Colonial Under-Secre-tary, made a speech in which he advocated Imperial federation, and the admission of Colonial Agents-General to the House of Commons, but without a vote.

Sir Saul Samuel in a speech on the occasion, remarked that it was impossible to draw the colonies closer together than they were at present. (Received February 21, 12.45 p.m.) February 20. In the House of Commons last evening Mr Gladstone made a speech in which be said the offers of the colonies of troops for Soudan testified their attachment to the Throne, and would draw closer the bonds of the empire. Earl Derby, speaking in the House of Lords, said that the country was deeply indebted for the spirit shown by the Colonies. Government had decided to accept the services of the New South Wales troops, and details were being arranged with the other colonies who had offered contingents. The Duke of Cambridge said he rejoiced at the assistance of the Colonies.

A proclamation has been issued by the Queen ‘stopping men from active service joining in the Reserve, and embodying the Militia for garrison duty.