LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2661, 18 March 1885, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

I RE UTI3IV S TE LEG RAMS. ] i'V KI.KCTUKJ Ti:LK(UlAl'lt Cui'YIIIGHT. ■» *— PROPOSED FORMATION OF A COLONIAL NAVY. SIGNING OF THE EGYPTIAN FINANCE CONVENTION. RAILWAY SYSTEM IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA. PRINCE OF WALES ON OFFERS OF COLONIAL TROOPS. THE HOUSE OF LORDS ON THE COLONIAL OFFERS. FRENCH SEARCHING AN ANGLOINDIAN MAIL STEAMER, BRITISH CHINA SQUADRON ORDERED TO HONG-KONG. GERMAN SUBSIDIES TO TRANSOCEANIC STEAMERS. (Received March 17, 4 p.m.) London, March 16. In tho House of Lords to-day, Earl Nortlih-.ck, Fiixf. L-nl of the Admiralty, ninioiin.-pd that. I lu-» (;.,li:ni(\s of Victoria, Qn <-.n .1.in.1, ai<d B<>uth Australia had applied to the Imperial Government for advice as to the for-

mation of a colonial navy, and the Admiralty had replied that it would readily, and indeed was anxious to, assist the colonies in the matter. The European convention for the settlement of the Egypt financial question has been signed in London by delegates of the Powers concerned. (Received March 13, noon.) March 17. In a speech before the Colonial Institute last evening, Sir Frederick Broome, Governor of West Australia, strongly urged the development of the railway system of that colony. The Prince of Wales, presiding over the meeting, made a speech in which he said that the offers of the troops for Soudan were a proof of the loyal attachment of the colonies to the Crown. His Royal Highness added that, though unable to visit Australia, he took the liveliest interest in its welfare. In the House of Lords last night on the motion of Earl Wemyss, a resolution was adopted conveying an address to the Queen thanking her Majesty for accepting the loyal offer of New South Wales, and expressing satisfaction that similar offers of other colonies would be accepted at the right time. The motion was warmly supported by Lords Derby and Salisbury. (Received March 17, 4 p.m.) Hong-Kong, March 16. News is to hand that the Peninsular and Oriental mail steamer Surat, while in Chinese waters recently, was stopped and searched for contraband of war by French war vessels. It is announced that the British China squadron has been ordered to rendezvous at this port. (Received March 18, noon.) Berlin, March 17. The Reichstag has passed the Bill granting subsidies to trans-oceanic steamer lines, including an Australian service.