LATEST CABLE TELEGRAMS.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 303, 11 December 1886, Page 2

LATEST CABLE TELEGRAMS.

London, December 7. - The following is the substaneeof a despatch, dated 25th November, addressed by the Secretary of State to the Governors of the Colonies. The despatch refers to the allusion made in the Queen's Speech of September 25th to the Colonies. It states that the Imperial Government has given mature consideration to the message therein promised, and has concluded to advise the Queen to summons a conference in London in April or Mav next, to which representatives of principal Colonies aire to be invited, specially to discuss the questions of common interest, Ig is not intended to commit the Imperial Government or the Colonial Governments to new proposals entailing heavy expense, but rather to secure the fullest utilization of sums devoted for defence in time of peace; also to promote telegraph cable extension on a complete Imperial system, embracing all parts of the

Empire. It is hoped the conference will recommend the principle for promoting general defence of the Empire. The despatch deprecates any discussion by the conference of the question of political federation of the Empire. The conference will be purely consultative with equal representation to the Colonies. It is suggested that a few leading colonists besides the Agents-Generals should attend, and that the Secretary of State be president of the conference. Tenders for the Newcastle (N.S.W.) Municipal Loan of £IG,OOO at 5 per cent, were opened to-day, and the total amount offered was found to be £48,000. Tenders at £IOB 10s 6d. will receive 81 per cent, ol allotment, and above that in full, December 8. A conference of Unionists and 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 Sir W. Vernon Harcourt in recent speeches had completely ignored the views of the Unionist Liberals, who would therefore continue to support tbe Conservative party. He foresaw that a final conflict would take place between order and dirorder before the Irish question would be definitely settled. It was imperative that the present agitation for non-payments of rents should be resisted to the utmost. Eesolutions were passed in favour of upholding the union between Great Britain and Ireland. A letter was read from John Bright, in which that gentleman condemned Mr Gladstone's silence in view of Mr Dillon present agitation in Ireland. Sofia, December 7. The Bulgarian Government, in replying to a circular issued by the Sultan expressing approval of Prince Nicholas of Mingrelia being appointed to the throne of Bulgaria, have declared that the Bulgarian people will never accept Prince Nicholas as their ruler. New York, December 7. The President's annual message to Congress expresses regret at the action of the Canadian officials with regard tothe-fishery question, which imperilled the friendly relations between the United States and Canada, but he hoped that during the present session England would result in a satisfactory settlement of the dispute. The President is confident that an understanding will be arrived at with Germany and England which will secure the autonomy and neutrality of Samoa. Alluding to the excess of revenue now being realised, the President recommends a readjustment of taxation, but he would not change the present fiscal policy, and would continue to collect the chief revenue by import duties. The message again urged the suspension of silver coinage, and alludes significantly to the increase in the gold export. In his report to Congress, the Hon. Daniel Manning, Secretary to the Treasury, recommends the removal of the import duties on wool, and the reduction of those on woollen goods.