ENGLISH NEWS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 123, 24 May 1880, Page 4

ENGLISH NEWS.

The following items of English news were brought by the Tararua to the Bluff :— London, 7th April. The. result of the general election has completely dwafted all ctber topics of interest, not only in Great BriiaiD, but also abroad. The overwhelming defeat of the Conservatives caused general Burprise; the leading Liberals not boping for more than a narrow majority, while many thought the utmost to be expected was some d insinuation of the Conservative strength in the new Parliament. Passion Week, usually devoted in England to ecclesiastical observance?, presented a singular Bpectacla, every corner of the three kingdoms being engaged in passionate electioneering, which was scarcely suspeuded on Good Friday. Certain churches, where gorgeous ceremonials are practised, were half empty, while public halls were thronged with listeners to political harangues. Every publicbouse in the metropolis was converted into Tory head-quartern. Many theatres were closed throughaut the week; as they would have been scantily attended if open. The picture galleries were deserted, the concert halls only half full, the parks desolate, and the shops empty, the beer shops excepted, where the "Jingo" landlords and their customers caroused together. Every hoarding was covered with political placards, also many private housee dieplaying the bills of candidates. Cabß, vanp, and other vehicles, public and private, were similarly decorated. While the contest proceeded throughout England generally on broad public grounds, most of the metropolitan constituencies voted on local issues and interests. Tradesmen rivalled politicians in political activity, and extracted declarations against co-operations from numerous c&Ddidsto&* Immediately after Mr Gladstone's election for Midlothian, be received telegrams of congratulation from Bulgaria, Servia, Montenegro, and Greece. The Russian journals are highly gratified at the overthrow of Lord Beaconsfield and the accession of the Liberals to power. The Gar man and Austrian papers, particelarly the latter, regret the Conservatives' defeat. The op ; nions of Ihe French papers vary, but the majority express distrust of the Liberal policy. The Italian papers favor tha Liberal party, and it is generally supposed by the Continental Press that the accession of a Liberal Government will more or less affect the future of the Berlin Treaty, and cause a settlement of European affairs on different lints. London, 9th April. Tha predominent element of the Liberal majority is iikely to be strongly radical, including such . men es Jesse

Collingp, J. S. Wrieht, the advanced section of the Birmingham school ; Faesroore Edwards, editor of the London Echo ; Bradkugb, the secularist and democrat ; Labouchere, Ibe proprietor and editor of Ttuth ; Arthur Arnold , and Professor Thorold Rogers. Sir John Lubbock lost his eeat at Maidstone, and Sir Julian Goldsmid at Rochester. Lord Hartington, speaking at the hustings protested against the idea that the Liberals intended co receded from England's international engagements; on the contrary, the Liberals would insist on a fuller execution of those engagement?. Russia had executed her part of the Treaty of Berlin, but Turkey hud done nothing to reform the administration of the provinces, the pledges given by England respecting Asia Minor were unfulfilled, and the claims of Greece ignored. It is generally expected that one of the first acts of the Liberals will be to to recall Lay&rd, and put strong pressure on Turkey to obtain fulfillment of the engagements. Bombay, 23rd April. Abdul Rahman, grandson of Dost Mahomed, appears to be the coming man in Afghanistan. The Sirdar's are joining him from every side, and even followers of Mahomad Jan are deserting to him. It is also said that Mahomad himself is prepared (o go over to him, Abdul Bahman is making a triumphant progress in Afghanistan, and great acxiety is caused in Cabul by his movements. It is reported that many influential chiefs in Kohistan are prepared to receive him as king. It is clear that henceforth the British have to deal with hicn as leader of the coalesced tribes. On the 17ih Major Wandley, with two orderlies, 17th Bombay Native Infantry, and several Kandabars, were attacked at a email commissariat depot about 50 miles from Kandahar by about 300 men. principally Duranti tribes. Major Wandley and all but one or two of his men were killed. No political significance is attached to those circumstance, it being clearly the work of raiders.