ENGLISH NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1250, 20 April 1880, Page 2

ENGLISH NEWS.

(keutee's telegraphic summary.) London, March 12. "Public interest is wholly absorbed by the preparations for the general election. The dissolution was announced in both Houses on the Bth. The papers next morning published a letter from Earl Beaconsfield to the Vioeroy of Ireland, in which, after alluding to the passage of the bill for the relief of Irish Distress, and the efforts of the Government to improve the condition of Ireland during his tenure of.office, he says: "Nevertheless there is danger in ultimate results, which may be scarcely less disastrous than the pestilencei and famine paw raging in some districts ■of the country. A portion of the population is attempting to sever by constitutional means the ;tie which unites Ireland with Great Britain. It is to be hoped that all reasoning men will see that it is wise to resist this destructive doctrine. The strength. of this naticn depends on the unity of feeling which should prevail throughout the United 'Kingdom and its wide-spread dependencies, and yet. there are some who challenge the expediency of an Imperial policy. The immediate dissolution of Parliament will afford the opportunity fa? the- nation to decide upon the course which will materially influence its future and shape its destiny. Rarely this century has there been occasion to study more critically the power of England. The peace of Europe will largely depend on the- verdict of the country; Her Majesty, with the voice of her present Ministers, has striven -to be enabled to secure that peape so necessary to the welfare of all civilised countries, and so peculiarly to the interests of our own, but this ineffable blessing cannot be obtained by a passive principle of non-interference. Peace in; the precedence, not.to say the ascendancy of England in the councils of Europe. The doubt which at present exists as to the result of the elections does not diminish though it certainly arrests England's influence, and this is the main reason for delaying an appeal to the national voipe. Whatever may be its consequence to her Majesty's present advisers, may it return to Westminster a Parliament not unworthy of England, and fully resolved to maintain it." An important meeting of Liberal notabilities was held on Wednesday, at Devonshire House,' the ; residence of the Marquis of Hartington. Mr. Qladstone, Mr, : tjolin Bright, Sir. Vernon Harcourt, Barl Granville, and others, who were members of the last Liberal Cabinet, were present, ,

- Lord Hartington, in his address to the electors at North-East Lancashire, declares that he seeks to evade no issue which the Government can raise. He knows of no party challenging the expediency of maintaining * the imperial character of the realm or attempting to enfeeble the colonies by ft policy of decomposition. Jf the colonies grow more loyal to thp throne, and more attached in their connection with the mother country they must be more willing to undertake the common responsibility and burdens which must now be borne by all the members of- a great empire than at any former time. It is due to the fact that under the guidance of liberal statesmen they have received a, constitution of complete selfand learnt to recognise the truth of entire independence from imperial assistance,, for. dependence is not compatible wifcft dignity. .The address deprpeates exaggeration in describing the \frish agitation fqr Home Rule; He says it is impracticable, and considers any qoncession or appearance of concession in tliis directjon would be mischievous in its effects on the prosperity of Ireland, as well as England-and Scotland. He had consistently opposed it in office and in opposition, and should continue t-o oppose it. This agitsvtiQn be met, not by exaggeration t but by firm an<l consistent resistance, combined with proof that .the Imperial.Parliament is able and willing to grant every reasonable and just demand of the Irish people for equal laws and institutions. Much, however, remained to be dppe in removing the inequality of the laws,'which still exist to the disadvantage of Ireland. His Lordship went on, to say: Before we can do this, we hope that the Irish people will be convmced of the just impartiality of Parliamentandthe- United Kingdom. Proceeding Ito : discuss .the? foreign policy, of the present Ministry, Lord Hartington deolarpd that the Government had signally failed, and shad not achieved any of its proposed objects either in Europe or Asia; The Liberals were no less solicitor for the'just influence of England in the eaun? cils 'of Europe .than- the ■ Conservatives claimed to be, _ (PER TE ANAU AT THE BLUFF.) It is .stated that the Prince and Princess : of Germany have betrothed their eldest daughter to the brother of Prince Chris- ' tian.; . _ ■ •

7 The Times on 21sfc March published a telegram stating that the Russian military expedition., against the Tekkes has been postponed; probably on account of the serious'complications .between Russia and China. : .. -... ; '.Colonel .Stanley, in the House of Com--.moris,' >ll moving the army estimates, which wjere ;passed unopposed, expressed .an ,opinion, that the experiments.ma.de rer cently ; jvith heavy guns -will probably result in replacing muzzle-, loaders. .. . ~ - y; jßismarck* expressed his approval of the action of the French, .Government, ill refusing-the; extradition of Hartmann, charged -witli complicity in the Moscow Ui.lciiipf, !

The steamer Batavfa, the first of the Cunard new line to thef- East, ran ashore on the Island of Perim, but was towed off uninjured.