TELEGRAMS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1524, 11 December 1886, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

ENGLISH AND FOREIGN. 1 London, Dec. 7. The substance of the despatch, dated November 25tb, addressed by the Secretary of State to the Governors of the colonies is published, It refers to the allusion made in the Queen’s Speech of September 25th to the colonies, and states that the Imperial Government has given mature consideration to the measures therein promised, and has concluded to advise the Queen to summon a conference in London in April or May. next, to which the representatives of the principal colonies will be invited to discuss questions of common interest. l lt is not intended to commit the Imperial Government or Colonial Goveremehts to uew proposals entailing heavy expense, but rather to secure the fullest utilisation of sums devoted for defence in time of peace. It would be useful to consider the promotion of telegraph cable extension on a complete Imperial system embracing all parts of the Empire, and avoiding an increase of expenditure. x The Colonial Secretary hopes for the cordial co-operation of the colonies, as Government think 'the question urgent and capable of usdful consideration in organising a military defence. Ihe time has arrived for an nnderstandiug to prepare for defence throughout the Empire, and it is hoped the conference will recommend a principle for promoting the defence of the Empire. The despatch deprecates any discussion by (he conference of the question of the political federation of'the Empire, The Conference will be purely consultative, and equal representation for the colonies is, therefore, not essential. It has been suggested that a few leading colonists beside the AgeutsGenera] should attend, and the Secretary of State will be President of the conference. .The Times considers thate? England must find military material for the colonies, whilst the latter must undertake to construct fortifications, build gunboats, and provide crews for their defence. The bars at which the colonial wines were sold during the Exhibition show a profit of over £4OO, which will be divided pro rata. Government has declined the financial offers of the Australian colonies regarding New Guinea, but will continue the protectorate. They consider Admiral Tryon has done is necessary to repress ■ outrages, England is willing to give ah initial of £IOO,OOO and proclaim its sovereignity over the .British portion of the island if the colonies are prepared to undertake all future financial responsibilities. Mr Sutherland has stated that the Peninsular and Oriental Company will not carry the Australian mails for nothing. Dec. 8. A conference of Unionist Liberals was held yesterdayj many distinguished statesmen being present. Lord Harrington delivered a lengthy speech on the present aspect of political affairs. He declared that Mr Gladstone and Sir Wm, Vernon Uarcourt 1 in their recent speeches had completely ignored I the views of the Liberals, who would, therefore, continue to support the Conservative party. He foresaw that a final conflict would take place between order and disorder before the Irish question would be definitely settled. It was imperative that the present agitation for the non-payment of rents should be resisted to the utmost. Resolutions were passed in favor of upholding the union between Great Britain and Ireland. A letter was read from Mr John Bright, in which that gentleman condemned Mr Gladstone’s silence in view of Dillon’s agitation in Ireland. Two hundred and sixty recidivistes have embarked for New Caledonia, and 96 more are ready. Fifteen hundred leading Unionists attended the conference upon Irish affairs. Lords Derby and Selbdurne, and Mr utoschsn and Mr Trevelyan spoke in support r-f Lord Darlington. The Press declares tint Hie conference will srraatly encourage G vernment in ihe posiii n i‘ has taken up with regard to IrtU&d,

At a Conservative banquet in the city last night, the Marquis , bf~ Salisbury delivered a speech in which he welcomed the important co-operation of the Marquis of Hartington with reference 1 to the Irish question, and pointed out that the Unionist Liberals were gradually increasing in number. He declared .that tbe Irish people were being deceiv'd, and only the stern enforcing of.tlm law would undeceive them. Dec, 9. Furious gales have been raging in England and Ireland during the las 24 hours. 1 They have been especially violent in tbe South of England, where numerous wrecks have occurred, causing much loss of life. Much havoc has been caused by the gales in Ireland! The Fenian Brotherhood hasexpelled O’Donovan Rossa on the ground of treachery and fraud. ' Lord Salisbury stigmatises the policy of the' Land League as nothing but an organised system of embezzlement. Paris, JJec, 9. M. Floquet, who was asked ti) form a Ministry, has declined. M. Goblet, formerly Minister for Public Instruction, has, however,.accepted the task. Aden, Dec. 7. News has been received that the Somali tribes have murdered Dr Juchlete, the agent of the Eastern African Society at Catsmyop. New York, Dec. 6.In his report to the Congress, the Hon. David Manning, Secretary to theV Treasury, recommends the removal of import duties on wool, and a reduclion of those on woollen goods. Dec. 7. The President’s annual Message to Congress expresses regret at the.action 1 of the Canadian officials on the fishery question-, which has imperilled the friendly relations between the United ■ States and Canada, but hoped that during the present session negotiations with England would result in a satisfactory settlement of the dispute. The President said he was confident that the understanding he bad arrived at with Germany and England would secure the autonomy and neutrality of Samoa. Alluding to the excess of revenue; not being realised, the President recommends tbe readjustment of taxation but would nut change the present fisca policy, and would continue to collect the chief revenue by import dues. The Message again urges the suspension silver coinage, and is alluded to as significant of the increase in gold export. AUSTRALIAN CABLE. Melbourne, Dec, 7. The Governments of Victoria and New South Wales have decided to reduce the terminal charges on ordinary telegrams between Australia and New Zealand to sixpence each colony, in place of a shilling for the first ten words, as at present. The reduced charge takes effect on January Ist. Dec. 9. Arrived, this morning Manapouri, from the Bluff. Sydney, Dec. 8. The British Indian Steam Navigation Company has purchased the fleet of the Australasian Steam Navigation Company for £2.000,000. .• Heavy rains hare fallen in parts of the country, and serious floods have been caused in some places. A portion of a board with the word “ennopylae” printed on it, has been picked up at Port Macquarrie. It is supposed to belong ,to the ship Thermopylae. Dec. 9. The Te Anau sailed this afternoon for the Bluff. The cricket match Shaw-Lilbrwhite’s team v. Twenty-two of: Hartley was concluded to-day, and resulted in the Englishmen winning by 77 runs. Continued heavy rains are reported to have fallen throughout Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.