A Colonial Navy.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5048, 18 March 1885, Page 2

A Colonial Navy.

London, March 4

In the House of Lords to-day, Lord Norfchbrook, First Lord of the Admiralty, announced that tbe colonies of Tictoria, Queensland, and South Australia had ap plied to the Imperial Government for advice as to the formation of a colonial navy, and the Admiralty had replied that it would readily, and indeed was anxious to assist the colonies in the matter. Egyptian Finances. An agreement for a European Convert tion for the settlement of the Egyptian financial question has been signed in London .by the delegates of the Powers concerned.

Hongkong, March 16.

News is to hand that the Peninsular and Oriental mail steamer Surat, while in Chinese waters recently, was stopped and searched for contraband of war by a French war vessel.

It i 3 announced that the British and Chinese squadrons have been ordered to rendezvous at this port.

[Specials to the Pbess Association]

London, March 15.

The Czar writes to the Emperor of Germany that he' does not think the Afghan difficulty will threaten peace.

The St. Petersburg journals are writing on the subject in a very pacific tons.

March 16.

The absence of water transport is delaying the advance of Lieutenant General Sir Gerald Graham from S.uakim.

Mr Murray Smith, Agent-General for Victoria, delivered an address on federation at Cambridge, on Saturday. Prince Albert Victor attended, and Mr, W. E. Foster made a powerful speech. ' At the conclusion of Mr Smith's address a branch of the Federation League was formed.