LATE CABLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 834, 7 March 1903, Page 2

LATE CABLES.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrigh Received 10.4 p.m., March 6. London, March 6. A Blue Book published shows that the Austro Russian scheme of dealing with the Macedonians was communicated to Lord Lansdowne on February 17th. The British Government, in order to avoid delay, accepted immediately the principle of recommending the Sultan to accept them, but reserved the right to make further proposals if on trial the scheme proved inadequate. The London Chambers of Commerce have convened a conference with the object of calliug Lord Lansdowne’s attention to the dire misfortune created by the new German tariff. A meeting of associated Chambers of Commerce recommended that communication by telephones or ethergrams be established between lightships, lighthouses, and the shore. Marconi was amongst the speakers, and declared that communication with lightships and lighthouses was working successfully in Germany and America. He emphasized the fact that Belgian steamers, by marouigraph, announced the breakdown of the Btoamer Pas de Calais in the recent gale. A decree nisi has been granted Mrs Hugh Watt, on the grounds of her husband’s cruelty and misconduct with Lady Violet Beauchamp. Four new syndicates have been formed in London to push digging in the vicinity of Arltanga, the recently discovered gold fields in South Australia. Two thousand workmen at Ivaysslope and other collieries at Blaenavon, Monmouthshiro, struck because they were not allowed to finish work earlier in the day. They’ allcgo that as a consequence they get wet through. Received 11.35 p.m., March 6. Capetown, March 6. The Johannesburg Conference has recommended the extension of the railway to the springs at Errnelo, at a cost of nine millions,and atbroughline fromHarrismith to Viljoeu’s Drift. The programme already includes Voreenging. The Johanuesbnrg line cost £740,000.

London, March 6. Mr Gerald Balfour, addressing the Lifeboat Institution, said that difficulties were associated with wireless communication between lighthouses and the coast. Relating to national defence, ho rondotod a comprehensive plan of what was imperative. He hoped that Fastnet and the shore would soon be connected by ether-

grams. Mr Ellis, a New Zoalandor, has disposed of the rights of an egg-proserving patent for the whole of Europe, excepting Russia.

Received 12.12 a.m., Mareh 7. London, March 6. In the Houso of Commons Mr Balfour moved a resolution that the growing needs of the Empire require a committee of defence to be placed on a permanent footing. He warned the House not to expect too much from this scheme, inasmuch as it waß experimental and tentative. With the best preparations a war was always full of surprises. Sir H. A. Bannerman agreed on tho necessity of a large comprehensive view of the naval and military needs ; also for records, but he askod how could it maintain Ministerial responsibility with officials sitting beside the Ministers, or how override the decison of the committee ? He moved the adjournment of the debate with a view to a fuller discussion. The amendment was negatived without decision. The resolution was similarly carried, the speeches showing that the proposals were most favorably received. War Office estimates total 34£ millions, providing for an army of 235,761. In the House of Commons Mr Balfour announced that a new naval depot will be established at St. Mary’s Hope, on the north side of the Firth of Forth, in accordance with the committee’s recommendations in January last, The announcement was received with cheers. Mr Brodrick announced that a Royal Commission would be appointed to inquire into the services and pay of militia and volunteers. Received 11.43 p.m., March 6. Rome, March 6. The Pope’s condition has improved. Berlin, March 6. Dr Scharlich, presiding at a meeting of the Semetic Colonial Society, declared that pan German bombast imperilled the main interest, and excited suspicion, especially in regard to Brazil, where the Government was refusing assistance formerly promised.

Capetown, Mareh 6. Sir Gordon Sprigg, replying to a deputation of Moderates, said ho hoped by union and reconciliation to becomo Premier of the colony South Africa, which was her right. Parliament would meet in June. In order to avoid tho controversy it would mainly restrict itself to discussing public works. Received 11.17 p.m., Mareh 6. London, March 6. Mr Balfour, replying to a deputation in favor of the appointment of a Royal Commission on the question of supply of food in war timo, said that ho recognised tho importance of parrying if possible. The obvious danger to the country was the dependence on foreign states, and what was feared was not the exclusion of food and raw material, for it was not likely that a great exporter like the United States would tolerate the capture of the merchandise of her own ships, but what he feared was cost of food and war material under certain conditions. The question of price would ultimately be a question of insurance. After discussing the capacity of the material for shipping, and the difficulties of the creation of a corner in food stuffs, and other points, Mr Balfour said that he would be glad to consult the deputation regarding the precise scope of the inquiry. In the House of Lords, Lord Carrington’s motion that the Government reconsider the military organisation was negatived by 51 to 15.

Received 1.7 a.m., March 7,

Sydney, March 6. Excepting districts north and west of the line from Wentworth to Grafton, serviceable rain is falling over the State. It will enable ploughing in many districts. Tbe sculling match for the championship of Australia and a stake of £IOO a side will be rowed on the Paramatta river tomorrow, between Harry Pearce and Dick Tressedor. Much interest is being taken in the contest. The Governor-General, replying to the Evangelical Council’s petition for the apI pointment of a commission of inquiry into I Cardinal Moran’s Samoan charges, states that his advisers have given the matter the fullest consideration, as the persons concerned live outside the Commonwealth jurisdiction. It was decided to get all the evidence necessary to satisfy the commission, but the matter being one for the Imperial authorities, he had forwardad the petition to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. He seized the seriousness of the Cardinal’s charges, and adds : “The personal opinion of the Council justified the forwarding of a full and accurate report of the Cardinal’s speeches containing the charges to the Imperial authorities Sydney, March 6. Arrived : This morning, Zealandia. Received 11,10 p.m., March 6. Sydney, March 6. There is a heated correspondence in the newspapers over the action of the Government in first deciding St. Patrick’s Day would not be a holiday, and then after cor- I respondent with Cardinal Moran and Mr O'Sullivan. Minister for Works, making the concession. Civil servants allowed to leave the work at noon will be paid for the I whole day. The concession did not satisfy the Cardinal, who at a meeting of the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Committee, suggested to assist Government and Parliameot they be omitted at the luncheon. He had previously referred to the insult which, through the weakness of the Government in refusing to grant St. Patrick’s Day as a holiday, bad been offered the Catholic body, and he predicted the overthrow of the Government, significantly adding that the Premier expected a man or woman of Irish parentage not to vote for himself, or his friends if he j persisted in refusing the concession for St. Patrick’s fete. Protestants are up in arms, and through the medium of Burner-

ous letters in the press and meetings, are protesting against fcho Government’s supineness in making tho concession as the apparent result of the Cardinal’s political threats.