London, April 27.>

The Hon. JVG. Ward, in his address before the London, Chamber of Com merce, , said, '.. the financial institutions of New Zea'and \ve:e. flooded with inquiries as to what openings existed for foreign capital. Great Britain was losing a large amount pf> trade by her lack, of energy and her re fusal •to subsidise steamers; where as . foreigners were' keenly push ing into any . openings. available. He urged that critics in the financial press neglected to compare the debt and private wealth of New Zealand per head. The latter was the second largest in the world

NEW ZEALAND DEFENCES

ADMIRAL BRIDGE'S OPINION.
(per press association.)

Sydney, April 29,

Admiral Bridge in the course of an interview made reference to' the de fence of New Zealand. Ho sa".d though many of the guns at the forts had com plicated mountings, they were wonder fully well kept, indeed were as well looked after as on board the warships. The same remarks applied to the Vic torian defence. With regard to sub marine mining defence apart from any views he might hold as to its utility or otherwise he was impres;ed with the admirable' way in which the defence materials in-Aucldand was kept, and with the zeal and knowledge of the men in charge.
THE NICARAGUAH DIFFICULTY.
[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, April 28,

' The Nicaraguan Governments has sent a protest to the Great Powers against what is termed "The highly offensive and outrageous action of Great Britain, and her absolute dis regard of justice." de mands that the dispute be submitted to arbitration.
