LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2952, 16 April 1886, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. THE FRENCH PROPOSALS RE THE NEW HEBRIDES. PROPOSAL OF TURKEY TO DISARM GREECE. THE ELECTIONS FOR IPSWICH. THE IRISH BILL.—PUBLIC MEETING IN LONDON. RISE IN NEW ZEALAND SECURITIES. PALL IN WOOL. (Received April 15, 1.40 p.m.) London, April 14. A protest having been forwarded by Mr Thurston, Acting-Governor of Fiji, to the Imperial Government, it is now considered improbable that England will accept the proposals of France relative to the New Hebrides. The Porte has made a proposal to the European Powers to the effect that the combined fleet now lying in Suda Bay, Crete, be employed to compel Greece to disarm. (Received April 16, 1.45 a.m.)

April 15. The election for the town of Ipswich, rendered vacant by the unseating on petition of the late members [H. W. West, Q.C., and Jesse Callings, Liberals] took place yesterday, when two Conservatives, Viscount Dalrymple and Lord Elcho, were elected, defeating Mr Horace Davey. A general public meeting on the liish question was held in her Majesty’s Theatre last night. It was crammed in all parts, and the greatest enthusiasm prevailed. The assemblage was not composed of any one party, all shades of political opinion being-represented. The Marquis of Salisbury, who seconded the motion, characterised the Bill as an ignoble surrender, which he said would weaken the Empire. New Zealand securities show all round advances of 10s. To-day’s quotations :—Five per Cent., £lO2 10s ; Four and a Half per Cent., £lOl 10s; Four per Cent., inscribed, £IOO. The tone of the wool market is weak, cross hreds being especially noticeable at Id to Id below the prices obtained at last sales. The catalogue of to-day’s auction comprised 12,000 bales.

[special to press association. I London, April 9. M. Tricoupis, formerly Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, announces that he is averse to the warlike attitude taken up by Greece. The barque Astronomer, which recently went ashore at Milford, has been sold, together with her cargo, for £3OO. April 10. Sir Saul Samuel presented the Banquet Committee’s bracelet to Mrs Murray Smith, and, in doing so, spoke of the friendly relations existing between himself and Mr Smith. April 12. Mr Murray Smith has started for

Australia. The various Agents-Gen-eral and many friends were present to see him away. Banian has challenged Beach to row a match on the Thames for £SOO aside. Wallace Ross has accepted Matterson’s challenge to a sculling match. G. Perkins is also willing to row Matterson, but demands a start.

A. Cossack plot to dynamite the Czar has been discovered.

The New Zealand Shipping Co. have received the following cablegram, dated London, 10th : The Royal Mail steamer Kaikoura sails from Plymouth to-day with a good complement of passengers of all classes.

THE IRISH HOME RULE QUESTION.

London, April 10. In the House of Commons Mr Chamberlain made a damaging ciiticlsm of Mr Gladstone’s proposals with regard to an Irish Parliament. He said that on his joining the Ministry it was agteed that the Irish Union should not be repealed, but that only inquiry was to be made as to the best means of administering Irish affairs, and be complained that Mr Gladstone had presented a double-barrelled scheme without consulting his colleagues. He (Mr Chamberlain) had desired to explain bis objections to Mr Gladstone’s land purchase proposal, but had been prevented from doing so by the Prime Minister.

Mr Chamberlain made a proposal to suspend evictions, pending inquiries being made upon a plan for Imperial federation.

The Marquis of Hartinglon argued that the adoption of the scheme would tend to the disruption of the Empire, and he denounced Mr Gladstone springing a surprise without a mandate from his colleagues. He indicated that he was in favour of a coalition Ministry. Sir John Lubbock also made a damaging criticism on the proposals. No members of the Liberal party attempted to speak in support of Mr Gladstone.

There are symptoms of Mr Gladstones downfall, and of the Marquis of Hartington succeeding him. The Irish extremists express an opinion that the Bill as proposed is inadequate and degrading. The Scotch, Manchester, and Bir. minghara Liberal Press condemn the scheme.

The American opinion is favourable to the proposals.

There is a "rowing feeling in England against the proposed exclusion of Irish members from the Imperial Parliament, and also against the omission of any provision being made for the safety of the Ulster Protestants.

April 12. The French press approve of Mr Gladstone’s Irish proposals, but both I he German and Austrian press condemn them.

The Daily News expresses the opinion that Ireland is not yet ripe for Home Pule, and it doubts whether Mr Gladstone’s land purchase scheme will pass. It considers the amouut shou'd be reduced by sixty millions.—[This, it may be observed, is not in accordance with Renter’s message of the 9th inst. which stated that—“ The Daily News is the only journal that expresses approval, and warns the Whigs and loiies chat the rejection of the measure will entail upon them providing an alternative scheme,” In three days the Daily News seems to have changed its tone on the question. —Ed. K. T.j