ENGLISH NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1285, 20 May 1880, Page 2

ENGLISH NEWS.

(beuter's telegraphic summary.) London, April 9. The result of the general elections has completely dwarfed all other topics of interest, not only in Great Britain but abroad. The overwhelming defeat of the Conservatives caused general surprise, the leading Liberals not hoping for more than a narrow majority, while many thought that the most that could be expected was some diminution of the Conservative strength in the new Parliament. The polling commenced on March 31, and within 48 hours the Liberal victory in the towns was incontestible. • The total votes recorded everywhere was great. Both sides were thoroughly organised. There was a display of the utmost energy, though the elections in the counties are still proceeding. Scotland and Ireland will not be completely disposed of till the end of the month. The results are sufficiently complete to afford a basis of a practical estimate. The final results give the Liberals, 340; Home Rulers, 65; Conservatives, 250 ; the Liberals thus outnumbering the Conservatives and Home Rulers together, The issue is regarded as much a defeat of the Home Rulers as of the Conservatives. The expectation of the former holding the balance between Liberals and Conservatives, giving support to the highest political bidder was quite frustrated during the election. No English or Scotch Candidate, except the very few previously pledged, would have anything to do with Home Rulers or their demands. It is expected that Mr. Parnell will have a following of 30 members to support the policy of exasperation on which he seems determined. Several Irish constituencies (Mr. Parnell's nominees) unseated moderate Home Rulers or moderate Catholic Liberal candidates, notwithstanding strenuous favor towards the latter by the bishop and clergy. In the English and Scotch counties, the Liberal gains, though not so numerous, are more significant. Even where the Conservatives retained their seats, they have had in many cases to fight hard against the Liberal candidates. The counties in the neighborhood of London continue to support the Ministry. The result of the South Norfolk elections, y/ljepp the Liberals were successful, is considered peculiarly significant, as portending a detachment of a largp body of tenant farmers from the tradition ' connected wilh the Conservatives. The following members of the. Government are now without seats : Lowther Salt, Lord Yarmouth, Sir Graham Montgomery, and Algernon Egerton. A predominant element jn the Liberal majority is likely to be strongly radipal, and includes Jesse Collings and J. S. Wright of the advanced section of . the Birmingham School; Edwards, editor of the Echo ; Bradlaugh, secularist, democrat ; Labouchere, proprietor and editor of Truth ; Arthur Arnold, and Professor Thorold Rodgers. Mr. Lubbock lost his seat in Maidston. Sir Julius Vogel unsuccessfully contested the seat for Falmouth.

As regards foreign opinion, the Liberal victory is regarded with different feelings in different countries. It caused surprise everywhere. Immediately after Mr. Gladstone's election for Midlothian, he received telegrams of congratulation from Bulgaria, Servia, Montenegro, and Greece. The Russian journals are highly gratified at the overthrow of Earl Beaconsfield and the approaching accession of the Liberals. The German and Austrian papers, particularly the latter, regret the Conservative defeat. The opinions of the French papers vary, but the majority express distrust of the Liberal policy. Lord Hartington, speaking at Burbury, protested against the idea of the nation being released from England's international engagements. On the contrary, the Liberals would insist on the fuller execution of those engagements. Russia had executed her part of the treaty, but Turkey had .done nothing to roform the administration of her 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 Liberal Ministry will be the re-call of Sir Henry Layard and the putting of strong pressure on Turkey to obtain the fulfilment of her engagements.

At a dinner in favor of Mr. M'llwraith, Premier of Queensland, on the 7th, at Willis' Rooms, Earl Cadogan presided, and in proposing the health of Mr. M'llwraith, he said he was desired by Sir M. Hicks-Beach to express his regret at his inability to attend the banquet in honor of a distinguished representative of one of the most important Australian colonies. Earl Cadogan felt sure no policy could be adopted by the successors of the Government which would now or even in the distant futur.e in any way tend to dissever or weaken the bonds of unity between the colonies and the mother country.

Bombay, April 23. Abdul Rahman, grandson of Dost Mahomed, appears to be the coming man in Afghanistan. The Sirdars and the people are joining from every side. Even followers of Mahomed Jan are deserting to him. It is said that Mahomed himself is prepared to go oyer to him. Abdul Rahman is making a triumphant progress through Afghanistan. Great anxiety is caused in Cabul by his movements. Influential chiefs there are prepared to receive him as king. It is clear that henceforth we shall have to deal with him as leader of the coalesced tribes against us. On the 17th, Major Wandley, with two orderlies of the Bombay Native Infantry and several Candaharis, eighteen in all, were attacked at a small commissariat depot, about fifty miles from Candahar, by about 300 rpen, principally of the Durane tribes. Major Wandley and all but one or two were killed. No political significance is attached to this circumstance, it being clearly the work of raiders.