CABLEGRAMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2813, 12 February 1908, Page 25

CABLEGRAMS.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN

LONDON, February 5

At the meeting of the National Rifle Association Major Richardson described the tour in Australasia, and expressed his appreciation of the hospitality experienced in all places. He wa6 sure the experience could be of great use to British rifle shooting. The Australians' constant practice at longer ranges than these in vogue here had largely contributed to their success.

The Daily Telegraph says that Mr Asquith aims at setting aside £8,000,000 for old-age pensions, the qualifying age being 65 years. The pension proposed (says the paper) is 5s per week, but it will not be universal, the adequacy of the existing income being one disqualification.

Fifteen Irish Leaguers at Callow were arrested for preventing the Congested Distiicts Board allotting grazing land at French Park to strangers in the district. Four were discharged, and the remainder were committed for trial.

There have been 80 deaths from influenza in London since December. Two occurred last week.

Owing to Sir A. E. Vicars's refusal to relinquish his office as UlsteT King-at-Arms, claiming that he was not notified according to law, the dismissal yestei'day was regularly formulated. He therefore yields under protest. Legal developments are expected.

A meeting in London of W. and A. Macarthur and Co.'s creditors unanimously accepted the reconstruction scheme. Mr Whinney, the liquidator, in a revised statement of accounts, estimated the assets at £235,000, and the liabilities at £221,424, leaving a surplus -of £14,227, exclusive of goodwill, which was- valued in the balance sheet of the new company at £64,587. Mr Whinney states he had issued a call on four directors of the old company for £90,000 of capital, but he does not believe he would realise any substantial sum. He had arranged for an influential directorate of the new company, none of whom were connected with the "old concern except Mr C. Colwill. February 6. About 18 months ago the National trade mark was adopted by Ireland, which only manufacturers in Ireland can use. Lord Eigin has now invited the Commonwealth to consider a suggestion that the Irish trade mark be accepted as evidence of the origin of goods bearing it. The War Office is inviting tenders up till May 4 for the supply of 633,280 12oz tins arid 266.690 240z tins of preserved meat for delivery between September and November. Lord Esher has declined to join the new Imperial Maritime League beca.use its demand for a public inquiry into the state of the navy amounts to a vote of want of confidence in the admiral, and would cause Admiral Fisher's resignation, which everyone in Germany, from the Kaiser downwards, desired. Owing to France not accepting M. Isvolasky's recent proposals for a Russian loan, the reception of M. Bompard, the French Ambassador, by the Czar was so cool that M. Bompard asked to be recalled. February 7. Lord Selborne and Mr Botha have warned the Transvaal farmers to beware of inter-State Protection which, they declare, is detrimental to South African unity. Hungary is granting a subvention of 27 per cent, on all capital invested m new factories, especially textile ones. It is anticipated that these will employ 67,900 additional workers. BRUSSELS, February 5. M. Schollaert, the Belgian Premier, has asked the Congo Government to open fresh negotiations rfoarding the annexation of the Congo State to Belgium. This is considered as an indication of the impossibility of carrying the present treaty. MOROCCO, February 10. A steampipe burst aboard the French cruiser Jeanne d'Arc at Rabat, killing three men and seriously injuring 10 others. NEW YORK, February. 4. The Senate's Committee on Commerce has Beported favourably on the bill increasing the mail subsidies for steamers, between the United Staites, the Philippines, and Australasia. February 6. Mr William Bryan, speaking at New York, eulogised President Roosevelt'a crusade of honesty, and then delivered a fierce assault on stock gambling and predatory wealth, declaring that the- New York Stock Exchange had graduated moTe embezzlers than Fagin's school did thieves. February 7. Senator C. A. Culberson, of Texas, bHterly. accused Mr Cortelyou, Secretary of the Treasury, of assisting certain New York banks during the late panic with Government deposits, to the detriment of legitimate business in other parts of the country. February 9. Mr Taft (Secretary for War), on behalf of the American Board of Ordnance, has accepted three offers to supply heavier air flying machines, including that of the Wright brothers, which are to be delivered within 200 days, and to cost £5000. CALCUTTA, February 10. Lord Kitchener is preparing an expedition to inflict exemplary punishment on the Zakka Khfil AJridia. wha ajj making

constant raids and who have demoralised the border districts.

HONGKONG, February 7. The Chinese Customs authorities seized a Japanese steamer near Macao, alleging it was landing arms for the rebels under Sun Vat San.