GENERAL CABLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 818, 5 February 1903, Page 1

GENERAL CABLES.

By Telegraph—Press Association Copyright. LONDON, Feb. 3. Lord Onslow, speaking at Glasgow, in referring to Boutil Africa, said a sum equal to the estimate of the claims arising out of military receipts would be transferred from the military to the Civil Board, and the Transvaal revenues would bear any excess, probably a million. Discussing the question of Liberalism, Lord Onslow regarded Lord Rosebery as a foolish virgin for refusing to trim his lamp when the Liberal Unionist party started. He had been regretting it ever since.

Seven thousand Wesleyans mot at Westminster Aquarium to celebrate the acquisition i>f their now headquarters. Mr Perks, a member of the House of Commons, presided, and expressed a hope that all sections of Methodists would be federated early in the century. It is expected that Mr Ritchie will reduce the income tax. It is impossible to reduce it sixpenco owing to the naval claims. Mr Alexander Grimond, bead of a Dundee Jute lirm, bequeathed one hundred and twenty thousand pounds to charities and religious institutions. Washington, Fob. 3.

Tho Houso of Representatives passed a Bill authorising tho resumption of negotiations with Great Britain for the preservation of Alaskan waters for seals, giving authority if tho modus viveudi is not concluded prior to the opening of pelagic sealing to exterminate the seal herd on tho Poribyloff Islands, excepting ten thousand females and one thousand males. Sydney, Feb. 4. As the result of a conference between the Now South Wales and Queensland Premiers the former has sont a lottor to Sir E. Barton doaling with tho question ol' a sugar rebate payment, suggesting a basis of distribution of revenuo in the various States, removing anomalies under the present system, and paying rebates on sugar grown by whites. The Labor Conference resolved as womanhood suffrage lias been granted, there bo no reduction in the numbor of State members, but recommended the abolition of tho Upper House; also, that trado Unionist employees receive preferences in Government contracts, tho extension of full civil rights to civil servants, and a minimum wage of not less than seven shillings in all Government employment;

Melbourne, Feb. 4. The Federal Government are considering proposals to purchase the Eastern Extension Company’s cable between Tasmania and Australia. The price quoted is between two and three hundred thousand pounds. In the State Assembly the Premier in moving the second reading of the Railway Commissioners Bill, said that the saving already effected in the railway management during the financial year was £150,000. He urged that the railway must be managed on business lines, and when an employee was found to be incompetent he should be dismissed instead of his superiors having to formulate charges against him. The Bill proposes to appoint three commissioners.

Sir E. Barton, interviewed regarding Mr Berkeley’s statement as to Fiji, said there was no reason to believe the complaints were in any way justified, nor was there any evidence of popular feeling in Fiji in favor) of immediate annexation to New Zealand. The people of Fiji, both black and white, did not appear to evinco any desire to move in that direction. It was easy to make charges, but harder to substantiate them, and not very difficult to produce petitions from colored people as to any alleged grievances.