LATEST ENGLISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 10 September 1880, Page 2

LATEST ENGLISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

v Per Steamer, at Auckland,

(SPECIAL TO SYDNEY MORNING HERALD.) London, August 31. In the House of Commons this evening, a debate took place on the subject of the South African Colonies. In the course of the debate, it was announced on behalf of the Government, that it was not intended for the present to further press the proprosed confederation in view -of the Opposition which was manifested to the proposal in the Cape Parliament. . September 1. The news lately received from China of the renewal of the friendly relations between that country and Russia has been duly confirmed, and it is understood that a thorough entiente cordiale now exists between the two Governments. Negotiations are proceeding at Pekin for the conclusion of a treaty between the two countries, which will include the settlement of the Kuldja and other questions. September 2. The House of Lords having thrown out the Bill passed by the House of Commons providing for the registration of voters in Ireland, Mr. Parnell, on the House of Commons meeting to-day, brought forward a motion with the object of tacking the rejected measure to the Appropriation Bill. He complained with bitterness of the action of the House of Lords with respect to the Bill in question and other measures. The Marquis of Hartington, on behalf of the Government, while sympathising with Mr. Parnell's disappointment, suggested that in lieu of resorting to a " tack" the House should pass a formal resolution remonstrating with the rejection of the Registration Bill. Mr. Parnell assented to the course proposed, and a resolution will probably be introduced at an early date, and the matter thus stands at present. In accordance with the announcement made in the House of Lords by Earl Granvile (Secretary of State to the Foreign Department) last Monday, a contingent of British and other men-of-war has to-day sailed for Ragusa, in the Adriatic Sea. It is understood the fleet are at present without further instructions than that their destination is the place above named. In the House of Commons this evening, Sir. Charles Dilke, Foreign Under-Secre-tary, stated in reply to a question that the combined fleet which was now en route for Ragusa would be under the command of Vice-Admiral Paget Seymour, and not under Admiral Hornby as at first expected. It was further stated that Admiral Seymour would act in combination with the Foreign commanders of the contingent, with whom he would be in frequent consultation. With regard to the questions at issue between Turkey and her neighbors, Sir Charles Dilke said that, these being entirely of a political nature, strong hopes were entertained that coercion would not be required for their settlement, ' September 3. . Faction increases between the House of Lords, headed by Lord Redesdale, and the House of Commons. The anniversary of the battle of Sedan was celebrated throughout Germany on Wednesday. Intelligence has been received from the Secretary of War in South America, from which it appears that hostilities between Chili and Peru have at present ceased, and strong hopes are entertained that the war between the two countries is now brought to a close. Communication has been exchanged between the respective Governments with a view to the negotiation of the terms of peace, and these overtures, it is understood, have been well received on both sides. England and France have also tendered their good offioes for the purposes of mediating between the countries, and it is therefore considered highly probable that a satisfactory settlement will shortly be arrived at. Great anxiety exists as to the result of the pending resolution, while the action of the House of Lords threatens to bring about a crisis. The House has offended the Irish by rejecting the Compensation Bill, and annoyed the farmers by ' amending the date of the Bill. It has also irritated the working men by the rejection of certain clauses in the Employers' Liabilities Bill. Yesterday th® House of Lords rejected the Irish Voters Registration Bill, although the Government aided in passing i,t through the House of Commons, ana the Irish party are avenging ! this action by blocking the Appropriation Bill. The House of Lords has also refused. to accept some. amendments made j by the House of Commons in the Burial ) Bill, thus encouraging the new agitation against an hereditary house. This serious disagreement between the Houses is delaying the rising of Parliament. The Hon. R. T. Golds .vorthy, Colonial Secretary of Western Australia, has been appointed Governor of St. Lucia* in the Windward Group. Ma,ixbid, September 1.

News h&s been received of a shocking disaster to a battalion of troops at Logrons, on the Ebro. It appears the battalion, while on the march, was crossing the bridge which spans the river, whsA the structure gave way under tbe uuusual weight, and hundreds soldiers were precipitated into the river below. Many saved their Jiy-es. by swimming, but 65 were drowned. Constantinople, Sept. 1. The subject of the desired cession of Dulcigno by the Albanians continues to occupy public attention. Although efforts have constantly been made to induce them to give effect to the of the Great Powers, theae have proved unavailing. The Turkish. troops -which are ordered to, force the surrender of the town to. the Montenegrins, have now arrived in the immediate vicinity, and the leaders of the Albanian League have despatched a telegram to the Sultan finally deolaring that they refuse to hand over the place, and that they are resolved to resort to the utmost extremities.