LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 3151, 9 December 1886, Page 2

LATEST BRITISH AND FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

[REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright,

IMPERIAL AND COLONIAL COMMON INTERESTS. PROPOSED CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN LONDON.

NEWCASTLE MUNICIPAL LOAN.

CONFERENCE OF UNIONIST

LIBERALS

LORD HARTINGTON'S SPEECH

IMPORT DFTIES ON WOOL AND WOOLLEN GOODS TO THE UNITED STATES

AVERSION OF BULGARIANS TO THE PRINCE OF MINGRELIA.

FORMATION OF A NEW MINISTRY

IN FRANCE

(Received December 8, 3 p.m) London, Decern her 7

The substance of a despatch dated 25th November, addressed by the Secretary of State to the Governors of -jojo; ies, I'n.-i ;->!j-i]ishe(!, r -v:.- : : to t !e 3P.'.ision m•".<"'s i:i the Out'on's r,';nrch of September 25 to the colonies. It states that the Imperial Government has given mature consideration lo the message

theiein promised, and has concluded to advise the Queen to summon a conference in London in April or May next, at which representatives of the principal colonies will be invited to specially discuss questions of common interest. It is not intended to commit the Imperial Government or the Colonial Governments to proposals entailing heavy expense, but rather secure the fullest utilisation of sums devoted for defence in time of peace. It would be useful to consider the promotion of telegraph and cable exteusion on a complete Imperial system embracing all parts of the empire, avoiding increase of expenditure. The Colonial Secretary hopes for the cordial co-operation of the colonies, as Government thinks the question urgent and capable of useful consideration in organising military defence. The time has arrived for understanding to prepare for defence throughout the empire, and it is hoped the confeience will recommend the principle for promoting the general defence of the empire. The despatch deprecates any discussion by the conference of the question of the political federation of the empire. The conference will be purely consultative; equal representation being given to the colonies is therefore not essential. It is suggested a few leading colonists besides the Agents-General should atteud. The Secretary of State to be president of the conference.

Tenders for the Newcastle (New South Wales) municipal loan of .£16,000, at 5 per cent., were opened to-day. The total amount offered was found to be £48,000. Tenders at £IOB 10s 6d will receive 81 per ceut. allotment; above that, in full. (Received December 9, 1.30 a.m.)

December 8

A conference of Unionist Liberals was held yesterday, many distinguished statesmen being present. Lord Hartington delivered a lengthy speech on the present aspect of political affairs. He declared that Mr Gladstone and Sii Wm. Vernon Harcourt, in their recent speeches, had completely ignored the views of the Unionist Liberals, who would therefore continue to support the Conservative party. He foresaw that a final conflict would take place between order and disorder before the Irish question would be definitely sett'ed. It was imperative that the present agitation for nonpayment of rents should be resisted to the utmost. Resolutions were passed in favour of upholding the uuion between Great Britain and Ireland. A letter was read from Johu Bright, in which that gentlemau condemned Mr Gladstone's silence in view of Dillon's agitation in Ireland.

(Received December 8, 1.25 p.m.)

New York, December 7,

In his report to the Congress, the Hon. Daniel Manning, Secretary to the Treasury, recommended the removal of the import duties on wool, and a reduction of those on woollen goods. (Received December 9, 1.30 a.m.)

Sofia, December 7

The Bulgarian Government, in replying to the circular issued by the Sultan expressing apptoval of Prince Nicholas, of Mingrelia, being appointed to the throne of Bulgaria, have declared that the Bulgarian people would never accept Prince Nicholas as their ruler. (Received December 9, 12.40 p.m.) Paris, December 8. M. Floquet has been requested to form a new Ministry.

[special to press association.]

London, December 2. France is pressing for the evacuation of Egypt by England, or as an alternative the restoration of the dual control. A large number of Arab convicts have; embarked for conveyance to New Caledonia.

The Monnt Britten Gold Mining Company has been registered, with a capital of £135 : 000. The Northumberland Mining Company has also been successfnly floated, the capita! being subscribed five-fold.

A French troop ship foundered in a cyclone, and twelve hundred lives were lost.

Russia has rejected the proposal put forward by Austria for a Commision of the Great Powers to settle the terms of union between Roumelin and Bulgaria. Alexander, ex-Prince of Bulgaria, will visit the Queen at Windsor during Christmas.

The Arab rebels have retreated a hundred miles from Wady Haifa.

December 4.

The report that a number of Arab convicts were to be sent to New Oale-' donia by che French Government has no' been cci.f rmed,

December 5.

The Queen has requested Sir Saul Samuel to thank the Government of New South Wales for the uugget which

was presented to her, and Mr White for his emu eggs. Simpson's torpedo exhibition has been presented to the Admiralty, who have expressed their surprise at Adelaide being able to produce such workmanship.

Sir Graham Berry writes to the Press, directing attention to the coming exhibitions in various colonies.

The Chaodernagore, which was reported to have foundered in a cyclone, has arrived safely at Singapore. During a debate in the Reichstag on Friday, pointed reference was made to the French preparations for war. M. Bronsart declared there was no well founded prospect of peace, and that France was the likeliest source of any peril from war. Yon Moltke said the difficulty was of long standing, but both nations being fully armed might lead to a decisive issue at an early period. The French Chamber refused to grant £8,000,000 demanded by Admiral Aube, Minister of Marine, for the purpose of remodelling the navy, bat voted £1,000,000.

M. Freycinet resigned because the Chamber of Deputies suppressed the sub-prefects, but he will probably continue to be Premier.

December 6. M. de Freycinet persists in resigning, The Regency has rejected M. Zan koffs offer for a coalition.

December 7

The Daily News says that the selection of Kensington as the- site for the Imperial Institute means that it will be merely a place of amusement, whereas if it was placed on the Embankment the commercial world would be able to take an active part in it. The News urges that the colonies should be allowed to decide the question.