LATE ENGLISH NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 94, 20 April 1880, Page 2

LATE ENGLISH NEWS.

The following summary of English news had not been published in the Australian Colonies when the Te Anau left Melbourne;— London, March 12. Lord Hartington referred to the domestic legislation of the Government and concluded by declaring that the Liberal party can grant no special favor to any class or any interest, aud that it can ouly undertake that while the power of the British Empire and the safety of our own country, maintaining its positions, it will ongaga in no policy or uncalled for annexation. The addresi of Mr Gladstone to the electors of Midlothian describes Lord Beaconsfield's letter as containing basely terrifying assertions, intended to hide from sight, and their effect upon the country. Mr Gladstone charges tho Ministry with having neglected home legislation, aggravated publicdistress, augmented taxation and expenditure, and brought about a series of deficits uuexampled in modern times, while as to foreigu affairs thoy have strained, if not entangled, the prerogative of the United Empire, and dishonored it in tho eyes of Kurope. Por domestic legislation tho electors must in ths future, as in the past, look to the Liberal party. Sir Stafford Northcote brought forward his Budget last night. Ho estimated the revenue at £83,058,000 for the present year, aud tho expenditure at £81,155,000, showing a surplus of £1,90n,000, which, however, he said had been turned into a deficit of £161,000 by a credit vote of £3,000,000 taken for the South African war. The yield of the revenue had fallen short of the Estimates by £2,195,000. The revenue for the coming year is estimated at £81,560,000, and the expenditure at £81,486,000, leaving a surplus of £7-4,000, but the new probate duties, introduced a few days ago, will add £700,000 to the revenue, thus increasing the surplus to £774,000. As regards the accumulated deficiency, £8,100,000, being the balance of £12,285,000, the cost of the war in South Africa, and the war preparations in connection with tbe Eastern question two years ago, Sir Stafford Northcote proposes to convert £6,000,000 of this balance into annuities to terminate in 1885, to meet the charges thus created. Sir Stafford Northcote will apportion another sum of £600,000, allotted five years ago as sinking fund,to redeem the National Debt. Bombat, March 26. It is stated that the interest in the situation at Afghanistan is centering at Ghuzne«, where reports on our side state thnt the leading chiefs are about to give in their submission, and also that they contemplate a general rising at the end of the month. Defensive operations are v still being 'carried on actively by General Roberts, aud constant supplies are coming in. Cabul is to be held by 10,000 troops. Lepel Griffin,- who has been appointed political officer at Cabul, arrived on the 19th inst. At one time Mahomed Jan's submission was rumored, but is still inconfirmed. It is now supposed that the threatened attempt will take place at the time specified. His movements, however, are very mysterious. The decision of the Marine Court, which sat here to inquire into the loss of the steamer Vingorea, is to the effect tbat in the absent evidence of the captain, third engineer, and clerk, who were drowned, it ia impossible to arrive at the cause of tho disaster.