CABLE SUMMARY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2742, 8 February 1890, Page 2

CABLE SUMMARY.

(by electric telegkaph.—copyright.) Lisbon, February 5. A serious disturbance, which eventually became very sensational in its character, took place in this city last evening. At one of the theatres a pa-ntomine was being played, and two clowns impersonating Major Pinto and Captain Castello, Governor of Mozambique, were in the act of protecting the Portuguese (lag from a supposed attack, 'llie audience looked upon this as an insult to the national flag, and immediately rushed the stage and wrested the flag ■ from the clowns. A dis turbance followed, during which the crowd were roughly handled by the military and police, who 'tfrd been called out, but the building was wrecked. Portugal is requesting the Powers to convene a conference on the Zambesi question, but if this cannot be done the Government is willing that tho. Slavery Conference now sitting at Brussels should arbitrate on the question. Madkip, February 5. The Spanish deputy called attention in the Cortes to the persistent presence of the British squadron at the Canaries. London, February 6. A small strike of wool labourers at the docks for the abolition of exertion money, and concession of a higher payment for piece work, caused temporary piecemen to be irritated, and they refused to discharge with non-unionists. The dockers are debating for the abolition of meal-time pay, and an increased equivalent. The Red Lion Wharf South Dock locked out through men refusing to load. Mr Hayes states that the labourers of tive of the largest wool warehouses will strike on Saturday unless conceeded the terms of the September general agreement.

Officials of the Lightermen's Union, assisted by Lafone and Scrulton, and other wharfingers, have formed a co-operative union with a capital of £40,000, to undertake the lighterage of London, and abolish the master lightermen.

Mr Buxton, M.P., has advised the dockers, who are again threatening to go on strike because of the employment of non-Union labourers, to be reasonable in their demands.

Thirty five out of one hundred and twenty wharves have joined the Employers' Union. The leaders of the Dockere show a defiant attitude.

The banks are receiving large deposits of money, and the money market is easier in consequence.

The quantity of wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom is 2,100,000 quarters, and for the Continent 440,000. America's visible supply is estimated at 32,500,000 bushels.

Bank of New Zealand shares are quoted at £8.

The St Janic's Gazette has contained a scries of articles in which it was asserted that all Australian borrowings were used to further State Socialism, which dominates the whole fabric, especially in Victoria, where each loan causes surface prosperity and inflation. It adds that Victoria has pawned herself to British capitalists, and that the centralisation of Melbourne has starved the country of its population. Labour and country industries are neglected, owing to the fact that capitalists are unable to hire labour with a profitable result, and owing also to the unhealthy speculation.

It is stated that Mr Parnell took the initiative in bringing about a settlement of his libel action against the Times, in respect of which he obtained £5000 damages. The Times pays costs as between party and party.

The Australian cruiser Persian has been launched at Sir W. Annstrong and Co.'s works at Elswick. Lady Berry performed the christening ceremony. In replying to a toast, Sir Graham Berry said that he be'ieved Colonial Federation was being gradually and surely brought about. Allpress, who has been arrested here for robbery of the Melbourne Bank, now asserts that after his departure from Victoria he visited Adelaide. He was successful in his gambling at Monte Carlo, and expected to be able to recoup the bank tor the losses sustained. Allpress professes himself anxious that he should be extradited promptly. The plot to murder Prince Ferdinand is ascribed to Russian machinations. Emin Pasha is improving in health, and it is expected that he will be able to sail, for England in March. Berlin, February 6. The Emperor William has directed Prince Bismark to invite the Great Powers to arrange a conference on the labour question.

The Emperor William has summoned the Staatsrath to thoroughly discuss the condition of the operatives. He will preside himself.

It is rumoured that Prince Bismarck inteds to resign his office as Chancellor of the German Empire. The public expenditure of France for the year just closed exceeds the revenue by thirty-six millions of francs. The wool market is unchanged, m but there is a more lively spirit. The R.M.s. Tongariro arrived all well at Plymouth yesterday, with her cargo of frozen meat in good condition. After long delay the trial of the Bishop of Lincoln for ritualistic practices has finally commenced. It firsh came before the Ecclesiastical Court last February. The Czar declines to recognise the present Government of Brazil during the lifetime of the deposed Era* peiv.r Pedro. An influential Conference, principally of a scholastic character^

passed a resolution warmly approving of the schiMiie of commercial education put forward t>y the London Chiimber of Commerce. The minor charges against Benzon have been settled, and it is expected he will receive a light sentence on the charge of forgery. Arrived : Ship Nelson from Wellington on November 13th. Washington. February 6 The Senate of the United States has ratified the Samoan Convention by 38 to 12. A Congress of American States is to be held to consider the coinage common to all American nations.