NEWS BY CABLE

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2372, 13 August 1886, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE

[m. BLEOTR'O TBLEQRAPH-:OOPYRIGHT)

Reuter's Teleohamb,

•\ Melbourne, August 12, A fire broke out to-day in McCuU lochs' parcels, office which: resulted in the destruction of the building and its .contents; '■■■'.' ■ ' ' , ''■ 'JjOHdon, August 11 -A deputation of .members of the' Imperial Federation League waited on : the, Marquis of Salisbury to urge,' that a conference should be "held, or Koyal Commission, including colonial delegates appointed to sug:. gest'toeanafor a collective action,in the defence of, British ports in time of' war, promoting the commercial of , postal .and • telegraphic communication, ; to further the maintenance of peace, and secure the closer union of the Empire. Mr James Service, in a speeohon behalf, of the deputation, dlludod to the way the Imperial Government, .had in formeryears neglected the Colonial interests,' but hoped this was now changed. The Government wis capable ot negotiating, with France for bor withdrawal from New Hebrides nnd N'ew Caledonia, and such a step would bind Australia closer than ever to the mother coun-. try. .The Marquis of Salisbury in reply stated he was unable on his... own authority to answer-the request of the deputation, but would consult his colleaguen in the matter. He said he fully recognised the importance of the deputation, and was. impressed by the vapid growth of the federation move'monto. He believed from that it would be wisest to formulate a scheme, and that it was a'mistake to consider the movement unreal. The-. Government would always keep a desire for federation, before them, His Lordship went on to say be approved of the views of Captain- Coloinb regarding Imperial defences. Tho Government would confer thereon with a number .'of leading colonists, The remarks which had been made by Mr Service regarding New Guinea were outside the range of praoticnl politics, and be: concluded by praising the energy the colonies had shown iri.the matter of defence,

In a collision which occurred at a. .funeral of a victim by the recent riots one of the rioters were shot by the police..-.. / ■ •

Paris, AugußfclL

The Kepublique Francais, in an article to-day says it is convinced the French will not withdraw from the New Hebrides,