LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2946, 9 April 1886, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.] Ly Electric Telegraph—Copyright. >— —< THE BANQUET TO ROBERT MURRAY SMITH. THE GOVERNORSHIP OF FIJI. (Received April 8, 10.45 p.m.) London, April 8. The complimentary banquet to Mr Robert Murray Smith, C.M.G., on his leaving for Australia, took place last night. Among the principal guests were Eail Granville, Secretary for the Colonies j Earl Rosebery, Secretary for Foreign Affairs; Earl Kimberley, Secretary for India; Mr Osborne Morgan, Under-Secretary for the Colonies' Sir Arthur Blyth, Agent-General for South Australia ; and Sir Saul Samuel, Agent-General for New South Wales. Earl Granville, in the course of his speech, eulogised the patriotic feelings which resulted in the despatch of the New South Wales Contingent to Soudan ; and referred in terms of praise to the men who served in the force. He was in favour of much closer connection between the Colonial and Imperial forces than at present existed, and expressed a hope that the Australasian Colonies would co-operate in placing King George’s Sound in an adequate state of defence against foreign attack, - Referring to the Recidiviste question, Earl Granville stated that the French Government had suggested an immediate abolition of the system of deporting convicts to the Pacific Islands in exchange for certain concessions on the part of the British Government. The Cabinet, however, decided to be guided by the Australian Colonies iu the line of action adopted in dealing with the subject. It is currently stated that LieutenantGeneral Sir Chas. Mitchell will probably succeed Sir Geo. des Voeux as Governor of Fiji.