The Southland Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1868.

Southland Times, Issue 971, 19 June 1868, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1868.

The English intelligence brought to hand by the Otago is of an important nature. The Abyssinian war is over; the captives have been released; the Emperor Theodoetjs has shot himself; and the British army is preparing to return | home. In the midst of all these hurried ! [notes of events, we learn that the cost of the release of the captives, some eighty in -number, for which the expedition was organised, will be something like £5,000,006. But then the prestige of the British arms has become strikingly j manifest; the " Snider" did fearful execution—over 5000 Abyssinianshave fallen, whilst on our side the loss has been very jsmall— and although we cannot but regret the necessity for such, slaughter, the determination evinced by Great Britain to protect her citizens from insult will be certain to exercise a beneficial influence on the future action of -Eastern despots, and demonstrate our power and resources to those Indian princes dissatisfied with British rule. Prom the Continent signs are not wanting to indicate that peace is not likely j to be of long duration. France i-*' armed to the teeth, and is how replete with all the improvements that modern science has invented .to destroy . human . life, „ whilst Prussia, strong in her recent acquisitions, is still further desirous of extending her territory, and seeks to wrest from Denmark important positions which . would contributeto makehera strongnaval power. With this object in view, she has been purchasing ironclads from the Americans, and is pushing forward the construction of war vessels with all possible; despatch. France, it is stated, objects to Prussia obtaining further concessions from Denmark, and diplomatic coldness has sprung up between the two Powers. Kussia is fomenting disturbances in the East, and. has advanced a strong corps ffarmee to the frontiers to watch the contemplated disturbance in the Danubian principalities, whilst Austria shows some uneasiness in the same direction. Meanwhile money is free and plentiful, and the funds have not been ad yet affectedly the aspect of foreign affairs. In England wo find a fierce war of parties in full vigor. The Conservatives are in a decided minority, the Liberals having obtained signal victories in the House of Commons. The question brought forward was the disendowment of the Established Church ,in _ Ireland. The necessity for this course being adopted has long occupied the

attention of the most eminent statesmen of Great Britain — prominent amongst whom are the names .of Gladstone, Bbight, Miall, and Stuabt Mtll. The whole body of Dissenters supported the motion of Mr Gladstone, and the debate which followed extended over j four nights, upwards of forty members having taken part in the discussion. The result led to the resignation of Mr Diseaeli, but the Queen did. not feel justified in permitting his retirement, without an appeal to the country, and a dissolution will be the result. There can be little doubt that the new Parliament will . affirm, with.

even larger majorities, the necessity oi abolishing an establishment that does not possess the confidence of the great mass of the Irish people— indeed expressions of opinion in favor of its abolition have not been wanting on the part of some Irish noblemen, and Lord Duitebin has written to his agent to say that in the event of the disendowment taking place, he will defray,: out of his own purse, the cost of maintenance of clergy men on his estates, giving them the same amount, as they now receive. -' from the State. ; Whilst on the topic of Irish affairs, we may. mention that notwithstanding the ipread of Fenianism, and the disaffected state of a large portion of the country, the receipt tion during the recent visit: of the, \PnraGsuand-PBHrcESS of WALES.was of apenthusiastic character, and-the mbafc loyal feelings were evinced wherever the Royal party visited. The news of the attempted assassination of the Duke of Edinburgh j appears _to have created a profound sensation, and addressess from both ■ Houses of Parliament were presented |o the Queen.