CABLEGRAMS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 447, 19 February 1890, Page 4

CABLEGRAMS.

London, February 11. i Parliament was opened to-day. The Queen’s speech, in addition to the forecast already published, mentioned that -Her Majesty awaited with lively interest the result of the Federation Conference at Melbourne. Any well-con-sidered measure promoting a closer union for increasing the welfare and strength of the colonies would receive favourable consideration. Local Government similar to that cnjoved by England and Scotland was promised for Ireland. A Bill to improve the state of congested districts, and to constitute a Land Department for Ireland will be introduced. In the speech from the Throne mention is made of the treaty arranged with regard to Samoa. Reference is also made to Sir F. de Winton’s mission. Baron de Worms will introduce the Western Australian Constitution Bill on Thursday. Sir W. Y. Harcourt. in the House of Commons, moves that the publication of the forged Parnell letters by the “ Times ” was a breach of privilege. Sir J. Gorst moves, as an amendment, that the House declines to treat the matter as a breach of privilege. Lord Salisbury insists that the Nyassa and Mashona Lands shall be legarded as British territory, and the remainder of the disputed country delimited in the regular way. Mr Allnutt Brassey, son of Lord Brassey, writes to the “ Times ” refuting a statement in the Paris paper “ Le Temps ” alleging that the number of escapees from New Caledonia was comparatively small. Lord Brassey, in a letter to the “ Times,” condemns the apathy displayed by the Imperial Government with regard to the transportation. of French recidivistes to the Pacific Islands.

The Dundee dockers have struck for an increase of wages to 8d per hour. The Dundee masters have yielded to the demands of the men. Burns declares it to be madness to risk defeat for the sake of the men employed at two wharves only. He also asserts that the dock companies were trying to entrap the men. Mr H. Matthews, Secretary of State, has agreed to receive, on Monday next, a deputation of miners in support of the Eight Hours Bill introduced by Mr K. Cunningham Graham, M.P. for North - Western Division of Lancashire.

Franco expresses regret it cannot take part in the Labour Conference, and gives as an excuse that it clashes with the forthcoming Conference at Berne. It is understood that the Emperor of Germany has arranged with all the Powers except France to work harmoniously on this questou. Mr Parnell was re-elected chairman, and Justin McCarthy vice-chairman of the Irish Party. In speaking on the occasion, Mr Parnell said he had never treated his action against the “ Times ” as a personal grievance. He brought it because he felt it was necessary to remove the slur cast indirectly on the Irish race. A resolution congratulating Mr Parnell on his victory was enthusiastically passed. Mr Parker Smith, Unionist, has been elected for Patrick division of Lanarkshire, rendered vacant by the death of Mr A. Craig Sellar, llis opponent, Sir C. Tennant, Home Ruler, was defeated

by a majority of 31U. The “ Times” deplores the illness of Sir Henry Parkes, who, it says, js the most commanding figure in Australian politics. The tariff is the most formidable lion in the path of federation. The “ Times ” believes Mr Service to be clearly correct in his statement that no nation can have unity without a uniform tariff. If the Conference only agrees to have a common army and navy, much will be rained. Complete federation may be obtained later. If tl e magnificent project of Imperial federation is to emerge from dreamland, it must be through the federation of the Australian Group. London, February 12. Mr L. H. Isaacs, member for Salisbury, was fastened into a room by a woman and shot with a revolver because he refused to sign a cheque produced. His injuries are slight. Lord Salisbury, speaking on the subject of the Zambezi territorial dispute, said Portugal had repeatedly warned England that she would not assent to the claims of the latter, although she was willing to make inquiry thereinto leisurely. It was also started that if Pinto had not intervened, Portugal would have been compelled to speak with decision in order toavert bloodshed, and perhaps danger to the Portuguese monarchy. The motion by Sir W. V. Harcourt “That publication by the * Times 1 of the forged Parnell letters was a breach of privilege,” was defeated by 262 against 112. Mr Parnell accused the Government of incredible meanness and cowardice. Parnell moves an amendment to the address in reply, raising the whole question of Irish administration. Ratification of the Sugar Bounties Convention is less likely owing to increasing opposition in France, America, and Brazil. Orders have been given for the construction of sixty Zalinski guns at Woolwich. ; '

London, February 13. j The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone , spoke in the House of Commons during the debate on the Address-in-Reply. , He said he approved of the policy pursued by Lord Salisbury in reference to the dispute with Portugal concerning the Zambesi territory. He commended the action of the Government with respect to the Samoan Convention and the settlement of the Swaziland question. Urgent pressure should, he said, be brought to bear upon the Transvaal with the object of having Englishmen admitted to the privileges of the franchisc. Speaking generally, he approved of the policy of the Government in South African matters, and said that the colonial possessions in that country were not unworthy to be compared with those in America and Australia. He referred to the Moussa Bey scandal and to the disorder in Crete. The improvement in the state of affairs in Ireland, he said, sprang from a hope of the salutary influence of the improved agricultural prospects. If local government were conceded in a liberal spirit, he hoped it would be accepted ; but if in a niggardly spirit, it would produce a new agitation. Mr W. H. Smith, leader of the Government in the House of Commons, said that Moussa Bey was certain to be retried. There was no ground for fearing a renewal of hostilities in Crete. If the Opposition would assist it was the intention of the Government to introduce a Bill for the purpose of constituting district councils in England and Scotland.

They had no intention of proceeding with a measure providing for assisted education this session, and until the agreement between the Powers was absolute there was no intention to proceed with the Sugar Bounties Convention. London, February 14. All Wharf Labourers’ Union men in Hull have decided that after Monday next they will refuse to work in the docks with non-Unionist dockers. The Union is affiliated with the London Trades and Labour Council. Intellicence received from Africa states that the Sultan of Zanzibar is dead._ Seyfidalu, his brother, succeeds him. One thousand cases kauri gum were sold to-day at a slight decline in price. The Prince of Walep and the Princess, who have just celebrated their 'silver wedding, have been the recipients of very many costly and beautiful presents. A large and fashionable assemblage gathered at Knutsford House to view tho presents and were charmed with the offerings, and especially with the uniqueness of the presents from Australia. On Friday night atabanquet given by St. George’s Club, Sir W. F. IX Jervois, ex-Govemor of New Zealand, Sir Hercules Robinson (late Governor of the Cape), and Sir H. Brcono will be present by invitation. The death is announced, at the age of 85, of John Robert Townsend, first earl of Sydney, whose title was created in 1874. He was formerly M.P. for Whitechurch, and was Lord Chamberlain for some years. The amount of reserve in the Bank of England is £14,780.000, and the percentage of reserve to liabilities 46J. Consols are 911, firm. New Zealand four por cents 107, improving. Australian wheat, ex warehouse, 395, nominal; New Zealand long-berried, ex store, 37s 9d, quiet. Sugar, German, 12s 6d. The market has a rising tendency. Java, 15s 3d. Iron, 52s 3d, steady. Lisbon, February 11. Senor Andrade, a Portuguese gentleman, has challenged the British Consul at Oporto to a duel, in consequence of the latter telling students that they should only insult Englishmen and not ladies, and, if possible, they should avoid insulting anyone. A patriotic meeting in the Oolliseum was forbidden through fear of its lead ing to outrages. Lisbon, February 12. Portugal intends to re-organise her army and purchase eight additional warships. A patriotic meeting held in the Coliseum was dispersed by the police, and thirty arrests were made. Feeling is very bitter against England. The address in reply to the speech from the Throne has been agreed to.

Lisbon', February 13. The. Portuguese press furiously attacks the British Consul at Oporto because he has not noticed Senor Andrade’s challenge to fight a duel. Yesterday beine a month since the receipt of the British ultimatum, many of the shops in Lisbon were closed as a sign of mourning. Berlin, February 11. The Emperor William exhorts England to be lenient with Portugal. Paris, February 12. The Due d’Orleans has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. Washington, February 12. Carnegie has offered for the Pittsburg public libraries. Melbourne, Feb. 14. Speaking at the Conference yesterday, the Hon. J. M. Macrossan said he believed they would do no good without complete Federation. He would like to know how Australasia would get along better with incomplete Federation than they were getting along now with the Federal Council. He believed Federation. would bring about intercolonial free trade. The whole of the colonies were too large, and especially New South Wales. He affirmed that Victoria was the best governed, and this was in a great measure due* to the smallness of hgr territory. In the event of aSenateHouse being created he would have it a representative one, and would not give the Senate power to veto the acts of the inferior body, while he would give

the Governor that power. He believed in the railways, telegraphs, and lands being handed over to the control of a federal executive. The war of tarifts in connection with the first two would thus be abolished, but it would not be abolished if left to the different Governments. He thought that when federated, the Governors of each colony should be elected by the people. Sit Henry Parkes replies to day. Melbourne, Feb. 15. At a private sitting of the Conference, the delegates discussed the question of the defence of the outports of Australia. Kin" George’s Sound, Albany, Western Australia and Thursday Island were principally dealt with. The principle of Imperial troops \\ as approved of, and it was suggested that an endeavour should be made to get the commandants of the various colonies to visit King George’s Sound, Thursday Island, and Hobart to devise the best method of defence. _ , , The “ Argus” savs : “ The New Zealand delegates strongly’ advised the Australian union and wished it every prosperity. We may return these wishes for New Zealand, which is possible whether she promotes a noble South Sea 1 ©deration of her own, or whether in the course of years she gravitates, as we hope she will, towards Australia. In either case, every Australian will hope for her welfare, with the measure of prosperity which should belong to her by right.” It is stated that nextyeara generalcensus cf all the Australasian colonies is to be taken as a preliminary step to a projected conference of statisticians for the purpose of arranging matters of importance to the colonies. Sydney, Feb. 15. News has arrived from theSolomonlslands of a disastrous mishap to an Island trading and labour vessel. The schooner Tierdon, an American vessel collecting native labour for Queensland, capsized in a gale oft tho Solomon Islands. The crew were saved, but thirteen natives who were battened down in the hold were drowned like rats, despite the efforts of the 1 crew to release them.