(SPECIAL TO MELBOURNE " AGE.") The Naval Forces of the Colonies. London, December 3.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 81, 20 December 1884, Page 3

(SPECIAL TO MELBOURNE " AGE.") The Naval Forces of the Colonies. London, December 3.

In the House of Lords, Lord Northbrook made a statement with respect to the strength of the British navy. He said that it was intended gradually to increase the strength of the navy so as to utilise the most modern inventions, and several new ironclads and new torpedo vessels would be commenced almost immediately. Earl Carnarvon characterised the proposals of the Government as wholly inadequate. Lord Sidmouth referred to Russian designs upon Australia, and condemned the Government for refusing to recognise the colonial warships as a portion of the British navy. Lord Northbrook, in reply, denied that the Government had ignored the efforts of the colonies in the way of procuring a naval defence force. In tho House of Commons, Mr Chaplan, a Conservative member, denounced the proposals of the Government, and pointed out that the experience of the Victorian torpedo boat Childers, on her voyage from England to Melbourne, had proved that such boats were unfit for long sea voyages.

Increase in the Australian Squadron. TheAustraliansquadron is to be strengthened by the addition of other war vessels. Commodore Erskine is to be appointed to a superior command. Rear- Admiral Try on, who is to succeed Commodore Erskine on the Australian station, has sailed for Sydney.

The Wreck of the Berengaria. London, December 8. — It has now been ascertained that there are 21 survivors from the ship Berengaria, which ran ashore and was wrecked on Monday off the Espox coast while bound from Melbourne to Sunderland. The captain and ten of the crew are still missing.

Chinese War Preparations. Twelve Chinese warships have been despatched to relieve the island of Formosa, where the French have seized and occupied the ports of Kelung and Tamsui. Several of these vessels are officered by Germans.

Labour Outrage. The "Daily News" this morning comments on the Supreme Court of Brisbane for sentencing Neil McNeil, second mate of the Queensland labour vessel Hopeful, to death for murder by shooting two South Sea Islanders of Harris Isle on 13th June last.

Protection in France. The Committee of the French Chamber of Deputies have recommended that the duty on imported wheat shall be 3 francs and flour 7 francos per cwt. Dalgetty & Co. (Limited) propose to declare an interim dividend of Is 7d.

Bismarck in a Rage. The German Reichstag has repealed the law empowering the authorities to expel priests from the Empire. Prince Bismarck was opposed to the repeal, and on the; decision of the Chamber becoming known, he denounced the principle of Parliamentary Government, and declined to reconsider the decision arrived at. It is probable that the Emperor will exercise his power of veto in the matter.

Oriental Bank Affairs. The decision arrived at by Justice Chitty last Saturday relating to transferors of shares in the Oriental Banking Company now being liable as contributors to the estate, has occasioned much adverse comment. It is probable that his decision will be reversed. A committee of shareholders is now engaged inquiring into the relations of the Bank with the Ceylon Company. They declare that the charter was violated, and that the directors were responsible.

Australian Diamonds in London. The diamonds recently received in London, the produce of Australian diamond fields, have been examined and tested by experts, and pronounced to be of superior quality to Cape diamonds.

Anglo-Spanish Commercial Treaty. The Spanish authorities have accepted the offer of the British Government by which Spanish wines containing 30 degrees of proof spirit and under are to be admitted into Great Britain at a duty of Is per gallon. In consideratian of this concession, Spain places England on the footing of the mo3t favoured nation. This arrangement is to remain in operation till 1887, after which the duty will probably apply to wines of 36 degrees of proof.

Royal Assent to the Franchise Bill.. The Bill for the Extension of the Franchise, which passed the House of Lords on Friday, has received the Royal assent.

The Premier of Cape Colony Mobbed Mr Uppington, Premier of the Cape Government, has been mobbed at Kimberley, the capital of the diamond fields, in consequence of his expressed sympathy with the Dutch party of Boer raiders in Bechuanaland.

Health of the French Forces. The announcement that cholera had broken out amongst the sailors with the French fleet at Hongkong has so far not been confirmed. Lieut Jerram, who was in charge of the Victorian torpedo boat Childers duiing her voyage from England to Melbourne, has been appointed to the command of the Reindiera, 940 tons, a vessel recently built.