London.

Manawatu Herald, 26 November 1895, Page 2

London.

The death is announced of General Sir Henry Ponsonby, Keeper of Her Majesty's Privy Parse. The Bey. Archibald Scott has been elected Moderator of the Church of Scotland. Mr Balfour, First Lord of the Treasury, replying to the London Chamber of Commerce, said it was difficult to make the use of the metric system compulsory. He suggested that the great industries should initiate it voluntarily . Mr Goschen, First Lord of the Admiralty, considers the time inopportune for the Geographical Society to ask the Government to equip an Antarctio expedition. A convention has been signed between Great Britain and Egypt agreeing to complete the abolition of the slave trade. It is officially stated that Mr Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies, has not stopped the preparations for the expedition to Ashantee. He declined to negotiate a treaty with the Ashantee envoys, and told them the matter mast be settled with the Governor of the Gold Coast. The Times says the preparations were delayed at the last moment in view of the rainy season hampering the movements of the troops. Employers in Ireland, Scotland and the North of England have federated to resist strikers. Two great railway corporations in Canada and the United States have combined to regulate rates. China is renewing her fleet, and has placed large orders for ironclads and torpedo boats with British shipbuilders. Butter is in goof demand, and business is steady at 100s to 106s, finest quality bringing 108s, and Danish 100s to 104s. S New Zealand long-berried wheat is quoted at a nominal figure. South Australian, 28s Bd, quiet. Victorian, [ 28s Sd, flat. New Zealand mutton — First quality, id per lb ; second quality, B*d. Lamb, s£d. The hemp market is unchanged. The Port Chalmers has arrived at Deptford with 76 cattle and 107 sheep, which she shipped in Australia. They will have to be killed on board, because she touched at Malta. The sheep are in a wretched condition, and the cattle only fair. The sheep by the Hubbuck brought 803. The cattle by the Gulf of Bothnia arrived in fair condition. They were sold at £12, the best fetching JBI7. The wool sabs at Bradford are more active. Merinos are a shade firmer, while crossbreds are weak. The Belgian Government has refused to entertain the request made by the Congo State that Major Lothaire be courUmartialled for the execution of Mr Stokes. The ivory which belonged to Stokes has arrived at the coast. It is valued at £10,000. Mr John Morley, ex-Chief Secretary for Ireland, and who was defeated for Newcasfcle-on-Tyne at the general election, will contest the election for Montrose Burghs,' which seat has been vacated by Mr J. S. Will, Q.C. (Radical), who was returned at the recent general election by a majority of 1132.