CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

Manawatu Herald, 7 February 1899, Page 2

CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

London. FEDERATION, The Times says Australia was npver nearer to complete federation. Britons eagerly await the declaration of the attitude of the colonies interpsted, particularly that of New South Wales and Victoria, with regard to the modified scheme. The Daily Telegraph says the realisation of the union of the Aus tralian colonies will confer on the vast Continent of Australia the rank and status of a great Empire, and tripes thpre is a likelihood of New Zealand j lining in the movement The Daily Chronicle remarks thai unity i 3 progressing, and that the structure of a building which will ultimately j >in the great edifice of an Imperial Union with repreaention at a given centre has been drafted. R-ferring to Australian federation, the Standard cays all Englishmen hope for the creation of Australia into a great o )mmonwealth, as a fit c mn'.erpart and companion of the D .minion of Canada. LIBERAL ATTITUDE TO THE IRISH PARTY. The Right Hon. Bir Henry Fowler who was Secretary of State for India in the Roseb^ry Government, in a speech at the National Liberal Club, said he did cot blame the Irish members for dissolving their alliance with the Liberal party in the belief that independence would serve them best ; but he regarded the dissolution as mutual. There wero vital divers trices between the Irish party and the Liberals on the education question, and they must see how the minority were to be treated under the Conservatives' Local Government Bill before Home Rule could be con sidered. He reiterated Lord Rose« bery'a view with reference to the dominant power. Sir Henry Fowler, in his speech eulogised Sir William V. Harcourt, bis former leader, and justified the attitude of the Liberals in regard to the Fashoda incident, saying that their action on that occassion had convinced France that Great Britain was in earnest. He was of opinion fhat Asia was large enough for both Russia and Great Britain. COLONIAL ARMAMENTS. The Colonial Office has intimated that upon the expiration of Colonel Gordon's term as Inspector of Warlike Stores for the Australasian colonies, War Office eecrets and privileges will only be accorded to an officer engaged on actual service, who must also be a member of the Ordnance Committee. LAND-GRABBING IN NEW. GUINEA. The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain has offered to recommpnd the colonies contributing to th« cost of the admin, istration of New Guinea to repay Mr J)bn Liwles, M P., and Sir Somers Vine the expenses incurred since April in connection with the Land (j ■•rnmission. The syndicate claimed £15,000 compensation for the refusal of the Imperial authorities to carry out the arrangement", hut it is now will ing to accept a considerably less sum in order to settle the matter, or, as an alternative, accept a grant of 40.000 acres of land. Sir William Macgregor, Into Lieutenant-Governor of British Npw Guinea, do*s not recom m j nf> th j latter alternative. A Liverpool syndicate was willing to amalgamate w'nh the syndicate on whose behalf Mr Lowles acted, provided that he withdrew his objection.

, — _ __, m _.__. N RATE OF DISCOUNT. The Bank of England has lowered its rate of discount to 3 per cent COLONIAL NAVY. The Admiralty has appointed Cap* tain A. M. Farquhar to succeed Cap. tain Geo. N A. Pollard in the corn* « mand of H.M.S. "Waterloo. "'>.,„,;« THE DISARMAMENT CONFER. ENCE. The D.iily News says the Czar will shortly announce the intention of Russia to abstain from increasing her armaments.