BRITISH & FOREING.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 182, 11 December 1886, Page 5

BRITISH & FOREING.

London December 5. A serious fire broke out in Knis?htriderstreet last night, which completely destroyed a block of warehouses, as well as the interior of St. Mary Magdalen'a Church. The loss caused by the conflagration is estimated at £100,000. Mr John Moklev, in addressing a Liberal meeting in Edinburgh last night, stated that he was in favour of the principle of Self Government being oxtended to Scotland, but declared that the establishmenof an independent parliament for that country was impossible. The ship Chandernagor, which was re ported to have foundered in a cyclone, haa arrived safely at Singapore. The "Times" considers that England must find officers and military material for the colonies, whilst the bitter must undertake to construct fortifications, build gunboats, and provide crews for their defence. London, December L— Tho report that a number of Arab convicts were to be sent to New Caledonia by the French Government has not been confirmed. A meeting summoned for to-day at Eallymote, Ireland, has been prohibited under the proclamation recently issued against meetings called for the purposes of Intimidating. The Canadian Admiralty Court has ordered the confiscation of the American 3chooner Highland Light, seized on account of a breach of the fishery laws. London, December 5 — During the de"bate in the Raichstag on Friday, printed reference was made to the French preparations for war. Herr Broneant declared there was no well formed prospect of peace, and that France was Hie likeliest eourca of any peril from war. Count Yon Moltke said the difficulty was of long standing, ami when both nations were fully armed, it might lead to a decisive rising at an early period. The authorities in Madagascar refuse^to allow the French to meddle with the internal affairs of the island. A rupture is imminent. London, December 4 —The Municipal Council of Dublin have adopted a resolution condemning the action of the Government with reference to Mr John Dillon, M P., who has been ordered to appear before the Court of Queen's Bench charged with intimidation. Replying to a propo°al to re-open the Federation Conference, Hon, Mr Stanhope expresses the opinion that no advantage is to be gained by the informal di«cus«ion of such a difficult problem as Federation before the b^sis is accepted by colonial Ministries. However, he adds that a conference to di*cu«s colonial postal facilities would be a mc-«t useful institution. LoN'OX, November 24. —Lord Salisbury has written a reply to the promoters of the Socialistic demonstration, held in Trafalgareqaare last Sunday, explaining why he declined to receive the deputation of Socialists, as requested, and he also replies to the memorial that has been presented to him bv that body containing proposals for the alleviation of the distress prevailing among the unemployed and the working classes. Lord Salisbury says that he is unable to entertain the proposals, or to give them the slightest support. The grounds his Lordship gives for his decision are that The proposals of the Socialists would, it acted upon, be calculated to cause distress and = a fix-ring far exceeding what is "being experienced at the present. London, November 2S. — A considerable amount of surprise ha 5 ! been occasioned in diplomatic circles bv the official announcement of the fact that the Sultnn of Turkey has conferred the honour of a high military decoration upon General Kaulbars, the special Russian Ambassador in Bulgaria, who has visited Constantinople whilst en -route to St Petersburg, for the purpose of reporting to the Czar upon the condition of in the Balkan States. Paris, December 4.— The Ministry of M. de Freycinet has been defeated on the Budget question, and have consequently resigned M. de Freycinet haa resigned because the Chamber of disputies suppressed the subprefects, but he will probably continue Premier. The French Caamber refused a grant of eight millions of pounds demanded by Admiral Tuke, Minister of Marine, for the 'purpose of re-modelling the navy, but voted one million. Rangoon, December 2 — Military operations in Upper Burmah are being actively pursued by the troops under the command of General Sir F. Roberts. The British columns in various districts are defeating and pursuing the Dacoits at all points.