LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2942, 5 April 1886, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

j f>-f [REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph— Copyright. THE IMMIGRATION QUESTION. I THE REINFORCEMENT OF THE COMBINED SQUADRON. BRYCE V. RUSDEN CASE AND SIR ARTHUR GORDON. THE RIOTS IN BELGIUM. FRANCE AND THE NEW HEBRIDES ISLANDS. GREAT CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP. THE ROUMELIAN QUESTION. PROPOSALS FOR PENNY POSTAGE TO AUSTRALIA. (Received April 3,2 p.m.) London, April 2. In the House of Lords to-day Earl Granville, Secretary for the Colonies, -.tated that Government were carefully •studying the question of Immigration, ■■md hud asked for information on the subject from the Agents-General.

(Received April 5, 0.45 a.m.) April 4. The English and Australian [?] squadron now stationed at Suda Bay Otete, is being reinforced with the view of a possibility of coercion being used against Greece. [SPECIAL TO MELBOURNE AGE.) London, March 25. The luuatic Brovrn, who threw a paper into the Queen's carriage, has been discharged from custody by her Majesty's c >mmand. Mr H. P. Cobb, member for Rugby in the House of Commons, has invited the attention of Government to a statement made during the hearing of ! the libel action, Bryce v. Rusden, relative to the conduct of Sir Arthur Gordon, formerly Governor of New Zealand, and at present Governor of Ceylon, who was alleged to have aspersed the character of Mr Bryce. [special to press association.] London, March 29. The Loyal Patriotic Union, which lias been formed in opposition to the Irish National League, is appealing to Australia for assistance. The University of Edinburgh has conferred the degree of L.L.D. on Sir Chas. Nicholson, Bart, M.D., who was the first Speaker of the first Queensland Legislature. The Afghan frontier question is at a standstill, owing to fresh demands by Russia. Riots in Belgium have now attained a very serious phase. The rioters have wrecked the leading glassworks throughout Belgium, and the services of the military were called into requisition in various towns, with the result that over 200 people have been killed or wounded. The Bill brought in by Prince Bismarck for the purpose of establishing a Government monopoly in the manufacture and sale of spirits has been rejected by tha Reichstag.

It is believed that Franco will agree not to send convicts even to New Caledonia after the lapse 01 seven years. The French Government offers tr> guarantee protection to missionaries in the New Hebrides, and will probably surrender Rapa and Eaiatea. New South Wales and New Zealand are in favour of a compromise, but the federated colonies are opposed to such a course. Mr Murray Smith has presented a protest on behalf of Victoria. Sir Philip Cunliffe Owen is extending the colonies a helping hand in the establishment of colonial markets.

The Agents-General will be allowed free admission to debates in the House, of Lords.

March 30. The great chess match for the championship of the world between Herr W. Steinitz and Dr. Zukertort has resulted as follows:—Steinitz, 10 games; Zukertort, 5; drawn, 5. The Prince of Wales and Duke of Oonnaught paid a visit to the Indian aiid Colonial Exhibition, and referred in commendatory terms to the progress made by Australia.

Affairs are now quieter in Belgium. It is reported that seventy Whigs and forty Radicals will oppose Home Rule for Ireland.

The Greek Chamber of Deputies meets at Athens on Friday, when it is expected that it will grant a forced currency. It is suspected that France and Russia are instigating Greece, which expects that the Powers will now abandon coercion. While the Powers are undecided amongst themselves as to which action to take Prince Alexander of Bulgaria is takin« step* to strengthen the Roumelian frontier. Hopes are entertained in Athens that an alliance may be effected with Prince Alexander.

The Continental Bourses are de pressed.

The frozen mutton, by the Kaikoura, realised 5Jd Mr Fronde will preside at the Queensland separation meeting. Mr R. C. Baker, the South Australian delegate, has obtained a concession from France and Italy with regard to excess mail matter. The question of the reduction of the Press cable rates lias been suspended pending Victoria's assent being obtained to the non-contributing colonies benefiting. The Commerci.l Bank assets paid into the Bank of England will not be distributed without an order from a Jud^e. There were thirty four applicants for the Professorship at the Victorian University. Five were selected for submission to the authorities, who will make a final selection from them.

England insists on Rapa being surrendered by France to her, and also on fi-oe trade to the New Hebrides.

The Marquis of Hartington and Mr Chambprlain arc parrying with a view of arranging an altcnv.itivo policy for Iceland.

Mr Henniker Hea ton's proposals in the House of Commous for a penny postage to Australia have been rejected »y a majority of 131 votes. Mr Fowler explained that the adoption of the scheme would have caused an additional loss of half a million of money. Sir Alexander Stuart [lute Premier New South Wales] has arrived in London.

It is officially consideret} (hat the attitude of Queensland and Victoria respecting the French recidivist** is in favour of a perpetuation of the French recirliviste convict system.

April 1. The death is announced of General Sir Edward Green, K.C.B. The Standard opposes the surrender by England of the New Hebrides to Fraud*.

H.M.S. Polyphemus has been ordered to Snda Bay.

VIENxVA, March 31. If is feared that Russia, in intervening in the settlement of the Bulgarian question, will resort to arms.