London.

Manawatu Herald, 12 March 1895, Page 2

London.

In the House of Commons, Earl Gray stated that when the Imperial Government learnt that the United States Government had withheld the sum of 425,000 dollars in connection with the Behring Sea fishery award, Sir Julian Pauncefoite was instructed to make urgent demands for the payment of the sum. The American Government was willing to pay the amount, but found it an impossible task until the Senate meets in December. The subject is creating a good deal of excitement in Canada. In the House of Commons the Australian Customs Bill was read a second time without opposition. The Standard considers that in view of the immense suffering to which live cattle from Australia are subjected on the voyage to England, it is not desirable that that trade should succeed, and adds that the chilled meat trade is preferable. The Daily Chronicle gives currency to a rumour that the Government intend to abandon Cyprus, the military vote for which is to be reduced tojeioo. The Bank of Australasia declares a dividend of 0 per cent, and carries forward £10,000. The Travellers' Club blackballed Mr Cecil Rhodes, the Premier of the Cape, and in consequence the Prince of Wales, the Dukes of Fife and Abercorn, and Earl Grey have resigned their membership. The Newfoundland Government has refused to accept the conditions which Lord Ripon laid down before he would agree to England guaranteeing a loan to that country. A Roya: Commission will be appointed to enquire into the affairs of the colony. A great strike in the boot trade is expected at Leicester and Northampton. In the House of Commons Mr T. D. Sullivan, M.P. for the Western Division of Donegal, asked whether Australian frozen meat was ex amined before shipment, in order to exclude diseased oaroases if there were any. Mr H. C. Gardner, President of I the Board of Agriculture, promised to enquire intQ the subject raised in [ the question.

The Times estimates that the pro* posed additions to the Navy will cost a total sum of nearly 20 millions sterling. In the House of Commons the Chancellor said that Great Britain would continue to hold Cyprus, though it was considered a useless and squalid possession. News from British Guiana states that the Venezuela authorities arrested a number of British police on the frontier, about which there is a dispute, but afterwards released them. More recently they expelled the French and Belgian Ministers because they advised the Powers to impose a mixed foreign tribunal on the republic. The underwriters have raised the insurance on live cattle, all risks, 15 guineas per cent, returning five per cent if no claim is made. Lord Bosebery is advised that he requires complete - and prolonged rest. Unconfirmed rumours are current that he intends to resign the Premiership. Ten thousand boot operatives in Leicestershire have struck, desiring to limit the output by machinery. The 9trike is spreading towards London and Bristol, and it is feared that 200,000 operatives will shortly be idle. The Union is imposing fines on its members who work the new lasting machine. New Zealand long-berried wheat, ex warehouse, nominally, 25s 9d, firmer ; South Australian do. 26s 6d, market quiet ; Victorian do, 26s 6d, firmer. The Australian wheat market is easier owing to fresh arrivals. Frozen meat is unchanged. Hemp is quiet. A Wellington consignment of 100 bales of fair i quality was bought in at £13. The butter market is demoralised. The choicest quality is selling *at [90s, the finest at 84s t0. 865, and. fine at 80s. The Himalaya's cheese is of inferior quality, and ia selling at about 41s to 425. ' At the wool sales the net amount offered was 270,000 bales. The sales showed a good spirit all round as compared with the previous series. Experts consider it useless to send frozen skinned rabbits to the English market, as in the thawing the heads turn black. Some of the turkeys sent by the Maori King were very old, and the throats had been cut, a circumstance which detracted from their value.