AGE SPECIALS.

Manawatu Times, Volume VIII, Issue 375, 2 October 1883, Page 2

AGE SPECIALS.

Per Press Association. London September 19. In consequence of the refusal of the British Government to annex •the New Hebrides and New G-ninea, it is proposed to»bold a meeting of representatives of the Australian colonies m London m order to support colonial Governments m their demands for annexation. The Goverrmenb of the Hawaiian Kingdom have protested against the proposed annexation of the New Heoi'ides and other islands m the Pacific by the French. S'p Wl'Ham Morgan, of the firm of Morga i & Nephew, Noumea,, who is now m Paris, and, -who, it w.as alleged, was making arrangements for the introduction of French con* i vicb labour into the Hebrides, denieß that he is ;interfering m the matter. A trial cf the torpedo boats which were bcilt to the order of the New : Zealand Grovernmant, was made toj The French* authorities have de<» cided upon immediate renewal of hostilities m Madagascar. Commanders o2 French men-ofxwar m I the vicinity have accordingly re* | ceived instructions to bombard the tow as and villages situate on the | east coast of the island. Latest advices from the seat of war, Tonquin, show that a Bevere engagement has taken place at Haphong between mercenary troor>3, engaged by the French, and the " Black Flag " forces. The Mercenaries were eventually defeated. The iIJ-success of the French forces at Tonquin is causing intense dissatisfactiop m the French Chambers, and the position of the Ferry" Administration is regarded as critical. A meeting which was ari^nged to be held by tbe liish National Leagie at Milltown, County Clare,! •Ireland, has been prohibited by the authorities. . September 22. An announcement that tbe. New Zealand Government intend to convert the loans of that colony into inscribed stock has been f ceely discussed m financial circles, and the proposed conversion is denounced by holders of 4 per cent, debentures. The proposal to iasue Treasury bills is regarded as an underhand attempt to float the further loan of £1,800,000. A letter from Sir Dillon Bell, Agent-General for New Zealand, appr j's m the Times this morning, explaining the reasons which int. dreed his Government to resolve on converting tbe'r debentures into •I-rsT-'ibed stock. Keferring to the adverse manner m which the proposal has been criticised by a section of the debenture-holders, the Agent* General emphatically denies the report that tbe Government bad acted m an underhand way. The relations between England and Turkey are somewhat strained, owing to the decision of the authorities of the Porte to adopt a protec» tive tariff. The-Mediterranean fleet has been directed to proceed to the ' Dardanelles to make a demonstra* tion. The Board of Trade has commencad^ts inqtrov into the sinking of tbe Orient Company's steamer P nsti'al m Sydney Harbour. Ca.pt. Murdoch, who was m charge of the vessel at the time, entered a protest against the inquiry being held m London, but his objections were overruled.