HOME & FOREIGN.

Waikato Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1593, 27 June 1903, Page 2

HOME & FOREIGN.

[pish united press associatio IBY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH—OOPTRIOHtT

THE CORONATION OATH. London, June 26. Iu the House of Lords Earl Grey's Bill for abolishing the King's accession declaration on the ground that it was superfluous, was rejected by 109 votes to 62. The Archbishop of Canterbury admitted that the declaration was needlessly offensive, but that some guarantee from the Sovereign was, however, Btill necessary. The Duke of Devonshire said the Government was willing to re-intro-duce the Bill of 1901 if the Catholics so desired. Earl Kosebery hoped the Government would not aot without the complete co-operation of the Bishops and Catholic Peers. THE IRISH LAND BILL. London, June 25. The Nationalists are delighted with Mr Wyndham's amendment to the Irish Land Bill, exempting nonjudicial tenants from the limitation of the Zore system, and leaving judicial tenants at liberty to bargain with landlords either with or without that system, Mr J. E. Bedmond declares that this concession has saved the Bill, there being no vitally contentious points left to discuss. The Nationalists are delighted with Mr Wyndham's amendment to the Irish Land Bill. COLONIAL LABOUR LAWS. Berlin, June 25. The Cologne Gazette expresses a fear that the German Social Democrats may copy the example of the trades unionist tyranny set up by the British colonies. Of such tyranny the best examples were to be fouud in New Zealand, New South Wales, and Victoria. . This daily goes on to warn the State to exercise great care so as to prevent labour obtaining undue political influence. SOUTH AMERICAN REPUBLICS. New York, June 25. 'EI National' publishes an artiole stating that it is said in high diplomatic circles that the Argentine, Chilean, and Brazilian Foreign Offices are negotiating an alliance to combat European intervention, cables the Buenos Ayres correspondent of the New York Herald. It is asserted that the three nations propose to help one another should a EuroDean Power threaten the sovereignty of any of the allied Republics. THE FAR EAST. London, June 25. America and Japan will refuse the commercial treaty with China if the opening of the Manuhurian forts is left in abeyance. It is reported here that Sir E. Satow will be allowed greater latitude than heretofore, and will be instructed, in conjunction with the Japanese Minister, to press China to come to an early direct understanding regarding Manchuria. EVADING THE COAL TAX.. London, June 25. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Right Hon. T. Ritchie, is devising means for preventing coal tax evasions by which it is estimated that half a million pounds in revenue is annually lost. Coal, it appears, is allowed to be shipped by ships in quantities according to the length of the voyage, and tramp steamers are suspected of selling coal abroad as cargo. SOUTH AFRICA. Capetown, June 25. A rapid approach is being made to fiscal uniformity in South Africa. It is now reported that the Rhodesian Legislature has passed the ordinance of the South African Customs Union. The carpenters' strike at Pretoria has ended after lasting two months, the masters agreeing to a standard wage of £6 16s per week of 48 hours. SOMALILAND. London, June 26. The British gunboat Hussar captured a slave dhaw off the Somaliland coast. Two hundred contraband rifles and twenty-seven cases of ammunition were aboard. London, June 26. British bluejackets are co-operat-ing with the authorities of Italian Somaliland in searching the coast for contraband arms, THE GERMAN ELECTIONS. Beblin, June 26. The new Reichstag contains 99 members of the Central Party, 80 Social Democrats, 50 Conservatives, and 48 National Liberals. The majority are favourable to Germany entering into commercial treaties. THE HUNGARIAN CABINET. Buda-Pesth, June 25. Count Hedervary is forming a Cabinet after having conciliated the Kossuthites on the basis of not increasing the number of recruits. FRENCH PORTS AND CANALS. Paris, June 25. The Senate has approved of the expenditure of 256,000,000 francs (upwards of £9,000.000) for the improvement of ten French ports and cauals. MISCELLANEOUS. New York, June 25. The militia were summoned to quell the tramway strikers' riot in Richmond, Virginia, and fired a volley, wounding six of the men. London, June 25. The British gunboat Hussar captured a slave dhow off the Somaliland coaßt, carrying 200 contraband rifles and 27 cases of ammunition aboard. Majors Younghusband and Claude White, representing the Indian Government, will meet the Thibet and Chinese official representatives at Simhin in July to dißcuss questions relating to the trans-Himalayan trade. The London Univertity has conferred a Doctorshio of Laws upon the Prince of Wales, and a Doctorship of Music upon the Princess of Wales.