New Zealand Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1874.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4243, 26 October 1874, Page 3

New Zealand Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1874.

Tai; Hero at Auckland brings further English and Australian news. The most important item in the telegrams, which we publish elsewhere, is the announcement that discount in London was quoted at 4 per cent., an advance which must have a sensible effect upon the floating of colonial loans. And it should not be lost sight of that the indications are all in the direction of a further advance. Another addition has been made to the Royal Family, the Duchess of Edinburgh having been delivered of a son. In the United States, the Democrats have gained three votes in the Congressional 'elections. We doubt, however, whether the Democrats will be strong enough to displace the Republicans, and put an end to the abuse of Affico and patronage which has characterised their administrative acts since the accession of President Grant. Should a Democratic majority be elected to Congress, that party could return their own candidate to the White House ; but as we have already said, wo doubt their strength to win. Corruption has so eaten into the vitals of the Commonwealth as to render any constitutional reforms hopeless for good. The gangrene in the United States body politic must receive very active treatment before a cure can be effected. Even were General Grant to decline the third-term nomination, the final result would be the same. The outbreak may be delayed, but it .will only be for a time. However, even a partial triumph by the Democrats is a healthy sign. From Spain we have news that the Basque towns, which are supposed to be the stronghold of Don Carlos, are demanding peace. It is not to be wondered at if they make their demands in such form as shall command attention ; but one hardly knows what to believe coming from Spain. It altogether depends upon the source whence it comes. For instance, the Foreign Secretary of Serrano's Executive, in a circular which he has sent to Foreign Courts; setting out the atrocities of the Carlists, charges the Pretender with carrying off women and children from the Basque towns “ as hostages to be “ shot,” should the populace support the Madrid Government. On the other hand, Don Carlos, in a manifesto addressed to all Christian States, repudiates this and all other charges of atrocity, inviting them to send Commissioners to his headquarters, and satisfy themselves of the way in which the war is being carried on. He characterises the statements of Serrano’s Government as wicked untruths, and states that as the Madrid conspirators and usurpers have the command of the telegraph wires, the truth can only be known by the report of Commissioners deputed by Foreign Courts. He even courts the presence of newspaper reporters, and made the correspondent of the New York Herald specially welcome as the representative of an independent and impartial newspaper. How, it is difficult to decide between the two statements, but we incline to think that Don Carlos is telling fewer lies than the creature of the Spanish Dictator. He has everything to gain by conciliating the Spanish nation ; Serrano and his partisans have everything to gain by creating a hostile feeling against him at foreign Courts. Indeed, tho attempt has been so far successful. The Madrid Executive has been recognised, for diplomatic purposes, but through the influence of England non-intervention has been decided upon. Don Carlos says he does not fear German interference. It would range the Spanish nation on his side. There would then bo only one army in Spain, and he would bo its chief. Meanwhile the civil war continues, and the credit of Spain is at a low ebb. From Sydney, we learn that tho Congregational Union of Australia, during its late session, declared against the denominational system of education. This was to be expected from the Nonconformist body in Australia. But as a set-off against this enlightened decision, tho Pretender to the Spanish throne avows himself tho champion of tho denominational system. The world is going Utterly wrong through materialism and irreligion, he says. Should he establish his throne in Spain, he would combine religious with secular instruction. But, as he is reported to have remarked to the Herald reporter, “it is time enough to think of “ education when I have established “tranquillity.” For tho present, therefore, illiterate Spanish Christians will do very well as food for powder. Meanwhile, the Congregational Union of Australia is able to give practical effect to its resolution in a variety of ways. Negotiations in Sydney had not concluded, in the matter of the Californian mail service ; but Messrs. Russell and Samuel agree that Now Zealand and New South Wales shall act together. Wo hope the result will bo to secure an efficient service for the future. The disreputable way in which the Hall-Forbbs service was latterly managed, as disclosed in letters to The Times, is enough to shake public confidence in the line. It will therefore be necessary, before making a fresh contract, to take every precaution against a similar break-down. We have nows, by telegram, of tho foundering of the ship Kingsbridgo, for

Sydney, with loss of life. She came into collision with the ship Candahar, for Melbourne, and foundered. The Pacific and Sydney Marine Insurance Offices lose £SOOO each on the Kingsbridge.