EUROPEAN

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 134, 26 December 1885, Page 4

EUROPEAN-

London, December 15. —The Government of New South Wales is supporting the appointment of Mr John Douglas as High Commissioner for New Guinea. The AgentsGeneral meet Colonel Stanley on Thursday, to consider the subject of appointing a successor to Sir P. Scratchley. A Bill has been introduced into the American Senate, having for its objeot the suspension of silver coinage in Amerioa. - The new steamer Bengal, built for the P. anU O. Company, has made her trial trip, when a speed of 15 knots*was attained. London, December 16th. — Prince Alexander of Bulgaria declares that it is need, less to appoint a-Commiasion for the settlement of the Bulgarian difficulty, and insists on the evacuation of VViddin by the Servian troops. A conference took place to-day between Colonel Stanley, Secretary of State for the colonies, and the various Agents-General, the object being to decide . upon a successor to the late General Scratchley, High Commissioner of New Guinea, and to fix the proportion to be paid by each Australian colony towards the expenses connected with the establishment of the New Guinea protectorate. The Conference designated Mr John Douglas or Mr J. B. Thurston as General Scratchley's successor, but the final selectton has yet to be made. Colonel Stanley said the several AgentsGeneral are" arranging to proclain English sovereignty over New Guinea, which will .be done if the colonies are liberal in subscribing funds for the purpose. It is considered probable that Mr John Douglas will be appointed High Commissioner. Colonel Stanley, Secretary of State for the Colonies, held another conference with the Agents-General to-day on New Guinea affairs. No definite decision was arrived at, and the meeting adjourned till Monday next. London, December 17.— The "Standard," in an article on the political outlook to-day, affirms that Mr Gladstone is prepared to restore the Irish Parliament, at the same time preserving the union with Great Britain. In the powers proposed to be granted for Local Government in Ireland, Mr Gladstone includes : —Irish control of the police; Irish members to sit in Parliament for Imperial purposes. Mr Parnell to furnish guarantees for the protection of the loyal minority in Ireland, and for the protection of landlords' interests. This revelation renders the action of the Marquis of Salisbury uncertain. Mr Gladstone announces that the remarks in yesterday's "Standard" attributing to him a willingness to re-estab-lish the Irish Parliament were inaccurate. The work of delimiting the Russo- Afghan frontier has been brought to a standstill in consequence of the extremely divergent views of the representatives of England and Russia regarding the inclusion of Meruchak, in the territory of the latter country, Mr Gladstone announces that the article published in yesterday's '• Pall Mall Gazette "is without foundation. He denies the existence of any such scheme as that attributed by the writer of the article, and disavows any intention of acting as indicated therein. Mr Gladstones takes the opportunity of stating that announcements in the newspapers at present relative to the line of policy he has determined to adopt are mere conjectures, as he has not yet made known his intentions to anyone. London, December 19. William Sheehan, who was arrested at Auckland charged with the murder of his mother, sister, and brother at Castletownroche has been convicted of the crime, and has been sentenced to death. The "Times,' in an article on Mr Gladstone's policy, says that the conscience of the country is deeply shocked at his conversion, which might lead to the disruption of the Empire, and the article urges the moderate Tories (? Liberals) to reject the proposals. Mr O'Connor, M.P., in an address to the electors, states that nothing Bhort of the liberties extended to Canada will satisfy the Irish people. London, December 21. A letter appears in the "Times" this morning from the Marquis of Hartington stating that he is absolutely without information with regard to the scheme of Irish reform suggested as emanating from Mr Gladstone. Lord Hartington adds that bis views on the Irish question are unchanged. Constantinople, December 19.— Mukhtar Pasha, who was appointed Turkish Commissioner to Egypt with Sir Henry D. Wolff, has not yet left this city, the recent hostile encounters between the Soudanese Arabs and the British troops having rendered the Anglo-Turkish Convention a dead letter for the present. Cairo, Dec. 16. The Rebels continue firing in the vicinity of Knoshay and two of General Camerons officer's have been wounded.