CABLEGRAMS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 445, 12 February 1890, Page 4

CABLEGRAMS.

London, February 3. j The action brought by Mr Charles Stuart Parnell against the “Times” | for libel on account of the ( alleged forgeries and the charges of complicity with assassins, brought against him and his associates in a series of articles published under the title of “ Parnellism and Crime,” has been settled out of Court. Ihe “Times” pays to Mr Parnell £5,000 damages. Allpress, alias Armitage, who was arrested here yesterday in connection with the Melbourne bank robbery, has been charged with stealing the sum of £75,000, the property of that institution. . . Allpress at first denied his identity with the accused, but afterwards admitted that he was the man described in the warrant. The prospectus of the AustrahanGold Extracting Company, with a capital of £250,000, has been issued. The object of the Company is to acquire the . colonial rights of the Palace patent. The Rev.Dr.Smith has withdrawn his acceptance of the Primacy of Australia in order to remove the existing deadlock. Shipwrights and engineers employed at the Tyne Shipbuilding Yards threaten to go out on strike in the event of a demand now made tor an advance of fifteen per cent, on their rate nf remuneration not being acceded to. ... In an article published this morning, the “ Standard ” expresses fear that a panic will take place in financial circles unless the Bank makes the discount rate effective. The “Standard” believes a 5 per cent, discount rate in Febraarv would bring gold from New York and Rio. Sir Walter Buller and family have booked passages for Australia. Sir Julius Vogel, writing to the “Times” on the subject of the proposed Imperial penny postage, argues that a halfpenny international rate should precede an Imperial penny post. O’Connor has challenged Hanlan to a match, and intimates that if the challenge be accepted he will defer his departure in order to complete his training. Mrs Langtry is improving in health. London, February 5.

The Carmen’s Union,: consisting of 14.000 men, and the Liverpool Irish and Scotch dockers of 30,000 men, are amalgamating. The London dockers, docks, wharves, warehouses, and granaries’ Union lock out the men, refusing to load with non-union men.

The Carmen’s Union is endeavourinf'' to prevent a strike of wool labourers, who allege they are suffering from several grievances. Brook’s wharf has joined the Bermondsey strikers. A small strikeof wool labourers atthe docks for the abolition of exertion money and concession of a higher payment for piecework caused temporary piecemen to be irritated, and they refused to discharge with non-union-ists.

The dockers are debating for the abolition of meal-time pay, and an increased equivalent. The Red Lion Wharf South Dock locked out through men refusing to load.

Mr Hayes states that the labourers of five of the largest wool warehouses will strike on Saturday unless conceded the terms of the September general agreement. Officials of the Lightermen's Union, assisted by Lafone and Scrulton, and other wharfingers, have formed a cooperative union with a capital of to undertake the lighterage of London, and abolish the master lightermen. " London, February 6. The butter shipped from Australiaby the steamship Austral has been found to be mostly damaged. Superior parcels have realised from 96s to 108 s per cwt; inferior from 50s to 60s per cwt. . . The dock-owners’ manifesto is said to be a failure, the dockers having opposed them with all their strength. Thirty-five out of one hundred and twenty wharves have joined the Employers’ Union. The leaders of the dockers show a defiant attitude. Subsidiary charges preferred against Benzon have been settled, and it is expected he will escape with a light sentence on the charge of forgery. The reserve in the Bank of England is 444,000, and the P ercenta § e of reserve to liabilities is 44/4Consols are firm. New Zealand four per cents.. 106%, steady. Australian wheat ex warehouse is 495, but business is very restricted. Sugar-: German, ns 9d ; Java, 15s. Iron, 5 2-9th, active. London. February 7. Many additional Dock Companies ■ nd wharfingers are joining the Employers' Union, fearing a strike Imongst their employees. Pressure has been applied to obtain delivery of wool sold at the recent .ondon auction sales, in view of the >ossible strike of carriers. Goal owners throughout the United kingdom propose to federate, to declare eight hours to constitute a day s work, to decrease the output to thirty millions of tons yearly, and to increase the price by 5s per ton. , The dockers are negotiating wnh other unions Jn Jo ascertain what

support they may expect in view of the proposed general strike. Dock owners are preparing a scheme to contribute towards the sick benefit fund of their employees. Shippers, fearing a stiike, are withholding goods from the control of the dock companies. New London Docks scheme has been abandoned. Monastery wharf at Wapping has locked out the wharf labourers. The dockers have asked Hayes to give them piecework at a price virtually covering meal times. If he refuses, the dockers will try and arrange the old terms, in order to gain time, during which the unions will be strengthened, with a view of renewing the struggle in the summer. The workmen in the metropolis will endeavour to revert to the eight-hours’ system, unless it is specially agreed to re-engage strikers whenever vacancies occur.

By a colliery explosion at Newport, Wales, 300 miners were entombed. Two hundred were rescued, but scores of bodies, although seen, have not yet been reached. The majority of those rescued are seriously injured. The explosion was heard for miles distant. The bodies rescued presented a mangled appearance, and the scene at the mouth of the mine was heartrending. At latest advices 120 of the miners entombed were reported to be dead. Latest news states that the Portuguese are continuing the system of terrorism. Paris, February 3. The French warship Dubourdien, a new vessel, which replaced the Dtr quesne on the Pacific station, bioke down twice at Dakkar, on her way out. The Admiral consequently demands that a fresh ship should be placed at his disposal. Berlin, Febuary 3. Ib is rumoured here bhat bhe Emperor William of Germany and the Sulban of Turkey will attend bhe Russian manceuvres and bhe Dranasky debates. The “ Kolnische " appeals to the Powers to hold a conference for settlement of matters in dispute between England and Portugal relative to the Zambesi affair. Berlin, February 6. The Emperor William,speaking in reference to the labour troubles, declared that he had firmly resolved to ameliorate the condition of the working classes. He stated that he would try to modify international competition and to promote peace between the employer and the employed. He regretted that Germany did not possess England’s countless millions to promote German colonisation. The Emperor William proposes to take into consideration the regulation of factories, with a view to legalise the combination of workmen in the metropolis in an endeavour to establish eight hours as a day’s labour, unless any special agreement may have been entered into to the contrary.

Berlin, February 7. The Emperor William’s decree, calling together the Staatsrath to consider the condition of operatives, has caused a prodigious sensation in Germany. The German press of all shades, commenting thereon, declare that the advance and well-being of German subjects will be safeguarded by the Throne. Lisbon, February 3. English coal has been boycotted in Portugal owing to the strained relations existing in consequence of the Zambesi affair. Two thousand tons of coal has been purchased in Belgium to provide for the deficiency. M. Destaal has been summoned to St. Petersberg to report upon the Portuguese embroglio. Numerous Englishmen resident in Portugal are destitute in consequence of persistent boycotting on the part of the Portuguese. The Government intend to prosecute the Governor of Oporto for suggesting that English residents should be shipped off in lighters laden with dynamite and time-fuses. Lisbon, February 5. Portugal has appealed to the Powers with reference to the Zambesi territorial dispute requesting the Powers to convene a conference to settle matters relating thereto as between England and Portugal. Otherwise Portugal is willing that the Brussels Slavery Conference shall be asked to arbitrate.

It is reported that all the Powers, with the exception of Germany, have accepted the proposal of Portugal for the appointment of a conference to discuss the dispute between the latter country and England with regard to Zambesi. England, it is said, lias already given her assent, Lisbon, February 5, A serious disturbance, which eventually became very sensational in its character, took place in this city last evening. At one of the theatres, a pantomime was being played, and two clowns impersonating Pinto and Castello were protecting the Portuguese flag, when the audience rushed the stage and wrested the flag from the performers. The clowns were seized and handed over to the military police. Then the excited multitude gave free vent to their feelings by wrecking the theatre.

Vienna, February 3. Dr. Bokai,an Austrian, has discovered an antiseptic for hydrophobia. One of the principal components is eucalyptus. Washington, February 3. The democrats have set up a stonewall in Congress because the Speaker includes non-voiing democrats, when present, in a quorum. Mr Parnell has made an appeal to Americans interested in the Irish cause to assist the Home Rule movement by providing the party with funds to contest the next general election. New York, February 3. Other banking institutions have come to the assistance of the Sixth National Equitable, and the latter pays all demands in full. Sydney, February 5. Chick wheat, 2s Sd to 2s lOd 3 milling sorts, 3s 5d to 3s 7d 3 oats, feeding sorts, 2s to 2s 2d 3 milling sorts, 2s 3d 3 maize, New Zealand grown, 3s 3d 3 barley, Cape, 2s 6d to 2s 8d 3 English, 4s 6d nominal 3 bran, 7-|d 3 pollard, 8d 3 peas, Prussian blue, 4s 9d nominal 3 potatoes, £3 to £3 10s 3 onions, £4 10s to £5 3 butter, dairy-made, 6d to 8d 3 factory made, 8d to 9d ; cheese, local, 4d to 6d 3 bacon, machine-cured, cured, 9d to 9-Jd 3 hams, New Zealand, lid to llj-d, dull. Sydney, February 6. Railway Commissioner Eddy brought specimens of New Zealand timber in order to ascertain their suitableness for railway cerriages. He says that at Home the best of the colony’s timber is ■ unrepresented. Further inquiries on the subject are now being made. News has been received here that 3 dismasted vessel is off Gabo Island. ■ She is supposed to be the schooner ■ Hally BayJey, from Brisbane. : The Hally Bay ley at latest advices , bad reached Brisbane from Sydney. ; She is commanded by Captain Bazer, ; a former resident of Auckland. The University has appointed Professor Cobbett, of Oxford, to the chair of law, Professor Wilson, of Edinf burgh, to the chair of anatomy, and 3 Professor Anderson, of Glasgow, to the chair of logic. The last two are J already on the staff of the University. ' Egeson's predictions in October last 1 that we would have heavy rains and - floods in the earlier part of the year have so far been fulfilled.

An extraordinary rainfall is reported from the North, some of the stations registering seven inches for eight hours.

News from Brisbane states that the recent floods have caused a loss to the sugar industry of £30,000. The damage caused by the floods at Maryborough amounts to £70,000. Sir John Tourstonhas written to the Wesleyan Conference enclosing some lively and interesting correspondence between himself and the Rev. Shirley Baker on the Tongan disputes. He states the charges in Mr Baker’s Blue Book are not founded on fact, even upon circumstances which excuse the author on the ground of honest misconception. bir John adds that with the assistance of Admiral Scott he hopes he will be able to visit Tonga, and may be successful in inducing King George to extend to all his subjects the fullest religious freedom. In a letter dated Auckland, January 7th, the High Commissioner declines to hold any social intercourse with Mr Baker until he has made reparation for his calumnies against Vice-Consul Symonds. Mr Baker replied next day, withdrawing charges made against Mr Symonds fully, and apologising for publishing them. The Australasian Wesleyan Conference has passed a resolution soliciting Sir John Thurston to remove existing disabilities, and return to their homes the exiles now in Fiii and Tofua.

Melbourne, February 5. The “ Argus,” in an article dealing with the New Zealand Primacy difficulty, states that probably it is the best to bring the matter before the Supreme Court to obtain an authoritative judgment, and if necessary that a Bill be introduced in Parliament to legalise the meeting of the General Synod. It considers that the scandal of such a deadlock ought to be quickly ended.

The “ Daily Telegraph,” referring to the same subject, says that the New Zealand Primacy deadlock is so hopeless and complete as almost to be ludicrous, and it is an odd coincidence that two of the greatest posts of the Anglican Church in the colonies, as Sydney and New Zealand, should at the same moment become a prey to lawyers, and points to the fact that some fatal flaw exists in the constitution, or shows a discreditable want of sense or business skill on the part of the authorities.

The Federation Conference opened a preliminary session at three o’clock yesterday afternoon. The sitting took place with closed doors, and lasted an hour and a quarter. It was decided that the press should be admitted to future meetings, but at the same time the Conference reserved the right of excluding the press representatives when in committee. The Plon. Duncan Gillies, Premier of Victoria, was elected President of the Conference on the motion of Sir Henry Parkes, Premier of New South Wales,

Sir Henry Parkes gave notice of a motion having reference to the text business of the Conference, the fulaler 1 of which is as follows ‘That in the opinion of this Conference the best in-

terests and present and future prosperity of the Australian Colonies will be promoted by their early union under the Crown, and while fully recognising the valuable services of the members of the Convention which met in 1883 in founding the Federal Council, this Conference declares its opinion that the seven years which have since elapsed have developed national life in the Australian popu lation —in wealth, in discovery of resources, and in self - government capacity—to an extent which justifies the higher act which was at all times contemplated of the union of these colonies in one Legislative and Executive Government, based upon principles which would be just to the several colonies. The Hon. Mr Deakin, of Victoria, then gave notice of the following motion: —That the members of the Conference should take such steps as are necessary to induce the Legislatures of their respective colonies to appoint delegates to a National Convention, to consist of a certain number of members from each of the self-governing colonies, and a certain number of members from the other Crown colonies. 1 hat as it is apparent that some time must elapse before a Federal Constitution can be obtained, and as it is desirable that united action should be taken to provide military defence and other urgent matters, it is advisable that the Federal Council be employed for such purpose. But little business was done, as the meeting was only preliminary, and was adjourned until eleven o’clock this morning.

At a banquet last evening, Sir Hy Parkes made an eloquent speech. There is a strong demand for this season’s wheat, 3s 7d being offered without any sellers 3 old crop quoted at 3s 9d. Flour: New crop, stonemade, £8 per ton 3 roller-made, £8 15s, with upward inclination ; old crop flour is quoted at 10s higher. Oats : Calcutta, 2s 2d 3 Danish, 2s land, 3s Id 3 maize, 3s lid 3 bran, 11 J-d ; peas, 3s. Sugar, Mauritius, £24 10s per ton. Melbourne, February 6. It is stilldoubtful whether the Federation Conference will be open to the press. Sir Henry Parkes is understood to be favourable to that course, while on the other hand Sir Samuel Griffiths and Mr Playford are strongly opposed to it. The statement is made on pretty good authority that there is reason to believe that an agreement favourable to the objects of the Conference will be arrived at, and it is considered very likelv that Victoria wiil fail in with the views of New South Wales. The duration of the Conference is expected to be about a week. Mr Duncan Gillies, the Premier of Victoria, had a long interview' with Sir Henry Parkes, Premier of New South Wales, in which Parkes gave his reasons for objecting to take the Chairmanship of.the Conference. He pointed out that at all the other Conferences, the Premier of the colony in which the gathering took place presided, and he saw no reason why the rule should be departed from in this instance. Sir Henry Parkes also says he has several private reasons for declining the position, which he thinks are sufficient without stating them. Public opinion points out that Mr Gillies, in the face of these objections, should not press the matter further. Gillies is therefore likely to preside. 'l’he banquet to-night is expected to be the most imposing and brilliant function of the kind that has ever taken place in the colonies. Apart from the loyal toasts usual on such occasions, there will be only one other toast, viz., “ United Australia.” Sir Henry Parkes is to respond to this toast. Adelaide, February 5. Wheat, shipping parcels, 3s 7d 3 flour, stone-made, £8 15=3 roller made, £9 10s 3 oats, New Zealand sorts, 3s 2d to 3s 3d 3 bran, 7Jd 3 pollard, Sd.