London.

Manawatu Herald, 3 March 1894, Page 2

London.

It is again stated in official circles that Mr Gladstone will retire in a few weeks. Several provincial papers announce that he has already resigned. The Ghronich says that Lord Rosebery will succeed him as Premier. Mr T. P. O'Connor, writing in the Sun, says the cataract in Mr Gladston's eye will involve an operation. The Hon. G. W. Spencer-Lyttelton, private secretary to Mr Gladstone, | declares the statements that the ' Prime Minister intends shortly to | resign are unauthorised, but herefuses to give the reports a direct denial. The policy of Lord Rosebery, who is expected to succeed to the Premiership, will, it is reported, be in the direction of taking away the power of veto from the House of Lords. The majority of the Cabinet are averse to a dissolution at the present time. The Daily Chronicle virtually confirms to report that Mr Gladstone's resignation is impending. The Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress has convened a National Labour Conference to meet in London on March 17th, to draw up a protest against the action of the House of Lords in connection with the Employers' Liability Bill. It is reported that aoute difference of opinion prevails in the Cabinet respecting the navy vote. The Radicals are urging that the amount should be limited to £8,000,000. St. James 1 Gazette says that the date of Mr Gladstone's retirement is not fixed, and that it depends upon whether the operation to be performed on his eyes at an early date is successful. The Radical newspapers are fiercely disputing the question of who is to be his successor. In the event of being compelled tc resign the Premiership, Mr Gladstone will retain the post of Lord Privy Seal. It is reported that Mr A. Asher, Solicitor- General for Scotland, v resigning his post in the Ministry, Mr Gladstone had an interview with the Queen on 28th February, and it is believed he will shortlj undergo a critical operation to the eye, involving confinement for sever weeks in a darkened room. His colleagues hope that the oper ation will not involve his permanenl loss as leader of the Government. The Radical and Labour Partj resent the prospect of Sir W. V Harcourt being shunted from th« leadership in favour of Lord Rose bury. Mr Healey, in some remarks or the subject, implied that it was th< wish of the Party to exhibit greatei reserve in their relations with thi , Ministry if Mr GiiuUtone retired. > The Daily News says that evei? i

Mr Gladstone retires, the Liberal Party are bound to pass the Home Rule Bill. In the House of Lords, the Marquis of Salisbury, by small majorities, caused the Parish Councils .bills to be further amended in the direction of increasing the population limit to 300, and altering the system of government in connection with the governing bodies of the parochial charities. Madame Patey, the well-known contralto singer, who visited the colonies a few years ago, fainted at concert in Sheffield, and died within six hours. The cause of death was apoplexy. . , „, News" has been received that Colonel Cosbett defeated a large body of natives, and after a two hours 1 fight drove them into the interior. Only three marines were woiuded. . Ooionel Corbet column had repeated encounters with the natives, who lost in all about 150 men. Pease's woollen mills at Darlington, Durham, have been burned down. Means of escape from the upper stories was cut off, but the girls managed to break through a skylight, and after a scene of great excitement, were all rescued. A thousand hands are thrown out of work. The L-ind Steamship Line has offered Mr Eeid, the Victorian delegate, to carry butter at |d, provided a contract be made for live von i\<s