EUROPEAN.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 74, 1 November 1884, Page 6

EUROPEAN.

London, October 23. Parliament was opened to day by Commission. The speech from the Throne stated that the House had been summoned to further consider the question of the representa tion of the people. The position of affairs n the Soudan was one of painful uncertainty. Her Majesty warmly recognised the energy, courage, and resources of General Gordon in the defence of Khartoum, and that he was doing his best to promote the improvement of affairs in the Soudan. The Egyptian Government were suporting Her Majesty's advisers in the difficult financial position arising out of the failure of the Conference. Regret is expressed at recent events in the Transvaal frontier, and the Speech announced that, conjointly with the Government of Cape Colony, Her Majesty's Government will| con sider the best means to secure the faithful observance of the Transvaal Convention. The Franchise Bill is the only measure the introduction of which is promised by the Speech. London, October 24. — In the House of Commons last night, Mr Gladstone was questioned regarding the state of the navy, and in reply he announced that for a long time past the Admiralty had been engaged examining the condition of the navy, and that a statement would be made during the month of November. London, October 24. —In the French Chamber of Deputies the Recidiviste Bill came up for discussion. M. Berenger vigorously opposed the measure. M. Rousseau insisted that relegation was the only solution of the criminal problem. The discussion has been adjourned. The Liberals have agreed not to discuss the Franchise Bill. The Belgian Ministry have resigned. The Address -in -Re ply was voted in the House of Lords last evening by a substantial majority. With regard to the New Guinea question, Lord Derby considers that it is better England should risk the jealousy of the Powers than incur the resentment of Australia. London, October 25.— The meat by the lonic is selling at 6^d per pound. The wheat market is unchanged. The death is announced of Sir Valentine Fleming, formerly Chief Justice of Tasmania. It is proposed to register the Bank of South Australia as a limited liability company. The Marquis of Salisbury proposes to postpone the committal of the Franchise Bill until a remote dale, so as to enable the Government to proceed with their redistribution scheme. The Franchise Bill will come on for its second reading on Thursday next. Sir Thomas Brassey, M. P., succeeds Mr H. Campbell-Bam* erman as Secretary to the Admiralty. In the House of Commons the Hon. Evjlyn Ashley was questioned regarding the nature of the annexation of New Guinea, and, in reply, stated that it would be impossible for some time to define the limits of the territory over which the protection of British authority was about to be placed, but that the limits would be extended as far as local circumstances might demand. TheUnder-Secretary for the Colonies further stated that settlement in New Guinea was at present prohibited ; and with regard to the northern portion of the island, which was claimed by Holland, that no agreement had been come to with the German Government as to its occupation by a European power. He also stated that the protection would extend inland according to local requirements. It would also cover all the foreign residents, and Major-General Scratchley would provide for the ultimate settlement of New Guinea. London, October 26. — Prince Bismarck proposes to subisidise, for a period of 15 years, a German line of steamers to the Australian capitals, with branches at Tonga, Samoa, and Brisbane. London, October 27.— The " Times " to-day approves of the action of the French Senate as regards the Recidivistes Bill, and expresses the hope that the Go vernment will sec its way to exempt Now Caledonia fiom the list of places to which criminals *hall continue to be sent. Papers regarding the Soudan laid before Parliament show that General Gordon considered it impossible to leave Khartoum ungoverned. That General Wolseley's instructions were to bring away General Goidon and Colonol Stewart from Khartoum, and that he is forbidden to undertake any ulterior operations. It is further shown that England and Egypt have decided to refuse to govern the territory of the Soudan lying south of Wady Haifa. London, October 27. — A great demonstration has taken place at Hyde Park in connection with the Franchise Bill. There were about SO,OOO people, and the House of Lords "was strongly denounced by various speakers. Lord Wol^eley will start for Dongola on Tuesday. An immense demonstration took place today at Hyde Park on the reform question, when a lesolution was passed in favour of the abolition of the House of Lords. Fully a hundred thousand persons were present. The proceedings passed off in an orderly manner. London, October 27. — The " Times " to-day approves of the action of the French Senate as regards the Recidiviste Bill, and expresses a hope that the Government will see its way to exempt New Caledonia from the list of places to which criminals shall continue to be sent. The various Agents-General have held a meeting to discuss Pacific affairs. The Agent 3 were disposed to refrain from pressing Lord Derby for a reply at present. The Melbourne Tramway Company's half-million 4 per cent, loan is announced. The minimum has been fixed at par. Tenders will be opened on November 6. London, October 28th. — The following colonial awards have been made at the Health Exhibition : — The Australian Wine Company, a Bilver medal ; Sydney Meat Preserving Company, silver medal ; and the Committee of importers who exhibited frozen meat have received a diploma of honour. London, October 28.— The Adelaide Mortgage Company intend doubling their capital, and will issue 25 shares at first, thus enabling them to borrow £200,000 additional. Mr George Darrell, in commencing a season in London, produced "The Sunny South," a drama written by himself. The press generally speak in favourable terms of the piece. Paris, October 23. — Cholera has made its appearance at Yport, a town near Rouen. Paris, October 25.— 1n the Senate to-day the Recidiviste Bill was brought up for con■ideration, and passed its first ro-'dtmr The Senate have thus approved oi tl. , principle of the relegation of criminals, bu J they refused to define the place to which they should be relegated. Pai*is, October 26. — The Government have decided to despatch without delay strong reinforcements to Tonquin and For- < eaoea, I j

Paris, October 27.— The Senato modified the Reoidivistes Bill so as to lenvo the Government the choice of the settlements to which the criminals shall be transported. ' Pauls, October 27.— Tho Senate modified the Recidiviste Bill so as to leave the Government a choice of settlements to which criminals shall be transported. The passage of the bill is considered certain. Berlin, October 23.— -The Duke of Cumberland has issued a proclamation claiming the succession to the Dukedom of Brunswick. Berlin, October 2G. — It has transpired that Emperor William rejects the claim of the Duke of Cumberland to tho succession to the throne of Brunswick, vacant by the demise of Duke Wilhelm. Brussels, October 24. —The victory of the Liberals in the communal elections, which recently took placo, having provoked a political crisis, tho clerical Ministry, formed by M. Palon in June last, has resigned, and a new Ministry, which it is believed will be strong enough to work, has since boon formed. Cairo, October 23.— The reduction of the Egyptian army, reoommended by Lord Northbrook, if carried out, will have the oiVect of largely reducing the numbers of British officers employed by the Khedive. With the exception of ten, all of them will resign their present appointments. Cairo, October 26. — Earl Northbrook, having completed his mission to this country, has sailod for Marseilles en route for London. Cairo, Octobor 27.— News is to hand from Dongola that xnessengers'who have returned there from tho direction of Berber state that do doubt can now be entertained that Col. Stewart and tho whole party were massacrod by rebels at Wadel Homas.

("Age" Specials.) Anothor Anglo-Australian Cable. London, October 19th. — The "Pall Mall Gazette," in an articlo discussing the vote for colonial defences, expresses the opinion that the scheme will be incomplete without cable communication between Great Britain and Australia via tho Cape of Good Hope. The New Guinea Protectorate,— Alleged Agreement with Germany. London, October 26. — It is currently reported that an agreement has been entered into between the British and German Governments apportioning New Guinea and the other islands of the Pacific between the two powers. The Agents-General of the Australian colonies express the highest indignation at thus truckling to Germany. It is generally anti cipated that should the report prove to be correct, the Agents-General will advise the respective Governments to refuse to pay any subsidy towards the cost of the British protectorate. A party of fifty Americans has been formed for the purpose of undertaking an exploring expedition to New Guinea in the spring. An expedition has been oiganised under the auspices of the Royal Geographical Society, with Mr Henry Forbos as leader, for the purpose of exploring the Owen Stanley Ranges, at the south-eastern end of New Guinea. Anglo-Spanish Commercial Troaty. Sir Charles Tupper, High Commissioner for Canada, resident in London, has been appointed by the English Government to visit Madrid and assist the British Ministor there in opening negotiations for the proposed Anglo-Spanish commercial treaty, which has remained in abeyance since the early part of the year.