YESTERDAY'S CABLES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8053, 22 February 1906, Page 2

YESTERDAY'S CABLES.

A TONGAS CISISIS. Siva, February 31. A serious crisis is reported to have occurred «( Tonga between King George and the British Consul, Mr Hunter. The dispute is over the construction of u road through the King's l<rivnlc grounds nl Tula Machine. Lhc Consul staled that the Governor •it liji desired the road as a necessity, but Ike King considers it an outrage only to be submitted to because Britain is powerful and Tonga weak. The Kiug wishes to abdicate as a protest. j CANADA AND THE EMPIKE, Ottawa, February 20. Sir Wilfred Laurier, Vanadian Pre. micr, nt u University banquet at L'orouto, declared that Canada had no grievance as regards Imperial rotations, but if .institutions were chauged, it would be towards the union of the Empire, coupled with autonomy for (lie different parts. END OF THE DI!OUGHT. Bbisuane, February 21. There have been splendid rains over the Western districts, and the drought is completely broken. The rivers are Hooding. FEDEIIAL POLITICS.

Syiiyky, February 21. A meeting of Froe Trade members «f the Federal I arty, the Eight Hon. G. It. Heid presiding, discussed Llio issue of tin: next Commonwealth elections, uul agreed to organise on anti-Socia-listic lines, and contest all seats in New South Wales, . THE LIQUOII QUESTION. Sydnky, February 31. ' IJte New South Wales AUiauce Juts practically resolved to contest Jhe State elections on the No-license ticket. BRITAIN'S ,STEEL OUTPUT. Lo.vnox, February 20. Great Britain's output of steel ingot# lust year aggregated 5,889,000 tons, an iicrease of (>:t The chief iui. .iruveinent was in Scotland, then in i levcland, Wales. SKIiVIAN STATU SECRETS.' IluitiKiDi:, Ecbruiiry 20. 11. Georgevilcli, a former Premier of Sen ia, was sentenced to six mouths' imprisonment at Belgrade for revealing State secrets. He opposed King Alexuidcr's marriage, and went into exile. Lately lie published n book revealing Russian intrigues. He conducted his mn ilelenee, and deuuiinccd King I'eler as ltussia's instrinueut. An tpi'tal against his sentence has been edged. BIUTAIN AND JAPAN, Tokio, February 20. The Mikado met Prince Arthur of Joimaught at Tokio station. Ho and lie nation greatly appreciated the bedowul of the (iarter, considering it narks a complete removal of the racial iiirrier between Japan and the West. UNOLISIf HAILS FoH (JUEENS. LAND. Lux Hon, February 20. Sir Horace Tozer, Queensland's Vgent-Gcneral, has placed in England in order for ten thousand t >ni of rails It one hundred and forty-live shillings >er ton landed in Qnceiisla id.