CABLE NEWS IN BRIEF

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24904, 18 June 1946, Page 5

CABLE NEWS IN BRIEF

Lord Montgomery on Way to India.—The Chief of the Imperial General Staff (Field-Marshal Lord Montgomery), after conferring with military chiefs in Egypt and Palestine, left for India.—Jerusalem, June 16.

Hunger Strike of Prisoners in Cyprus.—The police rushed to the central prison when 104 long-term prisoners who had been on a hunger strike since June 12 attacked the guards. The police quelled the disturbance with a baton charge. Apart from the longerterm hunger strikers there were also 120 others who had been on a hunger strike since June 8. The strikers poured kerosene over the food of those prisoners who would not participate in the hunger strike. All the hunger strikers are now being forcibly fed.— Nicosia (Cyprus). June 16. Discharge of British Miners.—-“ Nearly 30,000 workers will be discharged from British coal mines in the next six weeks in an effort to make the industry less discontented. They are misfits who, in the opinion of the Minister of Fuel (Mr E. Shinwell), are having a bad effect on, the steadier workers,” says the “Daily Express.’’ The men weeded out, who are more than 30 years of age, will be offered other civilian jobs.—London, June 16.

U.S. Senators’ Salaries.—Without debate, the United States Senate passed legislation giving its members an, expense account of 2500 dollars a year, in addition to the pay increase of 5000 dollars a year, which was voted last week. This pay increase, which brings the total up to 15,000-dollars, has still to be opposed by-the House of Representatives. If the pay increase is approved, senators will forgo their expense allowance.— Washington, June 16. Nurses Threaten Strike.— The entire nursing. staff of the Kempsey Public Hospital in Sydney will strike if Sister Pamela Swift, who was discharged on Saturday, is- not reinstated by Monday morning. The staff comprises 16 nurses and five sisters. Sister Swift was dismissed by the chairman of the hospital board for activities.” She i was one of two women employees who ! carried placards through the Sydney streets attacking the Hospital CommisIsion and the Minister of Health (Mr IC. A. Kelly).—Sydney, June 17.

High Commissioner Visits N.Z. Cruiser.—On the eve of the paying off of H.M.N.Z.S. 'Gambia, the High Commissioner for New Zealand (Mr W. J. Jordan), accompanied by Mr S. R. Skinner, New Zealand naval affairs officer, visited the cruiser at the Devonport Dockyard, Plymouth, where he conveyed greetings from the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) and the people of New Zealand to the ship’s company. He received an enthusiastic welcome from the New Zealanders on board. A number of ftTew Zealanders on the Gambia will form part of the crew of her replacement, H.M.N.Z.S. Diadem, when she sails for the Dominion.—London. Jun& 17.

Indian Camp Raided. — “A party of about 30 Europeans raided a camp of Indian resisters and cut down and carried off their tents,” says Reuter’s Durban correspondent. “None was injured. except two Indian women who were slightly hurt by a falling tent pole. The Indians on June 13 pitched ermp on land from which they are barred under South Africa’s new Indian Land Tenure Bill.”—London. June 17.

Australian Speedboat Record.—Averaging nearly 824 miles an hour, the speedboat Sunray 11, driven by 20-year-old Norman Tomkins, a former Royal Australian Air Force aerial photographer, set up a new unrestricted Australian record at Kogarah Bay near Sydney, this morning. The old record was 68.9 miles an hour. Sunray II was powered with a Rolls Royce Merlin engine, and averaged 43.65 seconds for two runs over the measured mile.—Sydney, June 17.

New Australian Minister.— Senator N. L. McKenna (Tasmania) has been elected to the Ministry by a caucus ballot to replace the late Senator R. V. Keane. Senator McKenna will be Minister of Health, and Senator J. M. Fraser, until now Minister of Health, becomes Minister of Trade and Customs.—Canberra, June 17. Atlantic Flying Record.—The Pan American Airways Constellation aircraft completed the flight between New York and London in llhr Bmin, which is 58min faster than the previous record. The aircraft averaged 316 miles an hour. —New York, June 16.

Pan American Airways’ Earnings.— Pan American Airways’ services t 6 New Zealand, Australia, and the Orient necesssrily have been deferred pending the delivery of additional flight equipment this year,” said the president (Mr Juan Trippe). He added that the company had a consolidated net income in 1945 of 7,565,580 dollars; after all charges, including 2,511,225 dollars for taxes, had been met. The earnings included a nonrecurring profit of 4.460.036 dollars resulting from the purchase by the Chinese Government of the company’s 45 per cent, interest in the China National Aviation Corporation.— New York. June 16.

Basic Wage in Australia.— A committee comprising representatives of employers and employees with an independent chairman will be sought by the Australasian Council of Trade Unions as the first move in a campaign for an increased basic wage. An emergency committee of the council has decided to ask the Federal 'Government to set up the committee. Several proposals for an increase of the present basic wage are under consideration.—Melbourne, June 17.

Dutch Steamer Strikes Mine.— The Netherlands steamer Meerkerk, of 8000 tons, on the way from Rotterdam to Australia, struck a mine near Westapelle, on the island of Walcheren. One hundred persons, including 17 passengers, were rescued. Fourteen of the crew are missing.—London, June 16.

Japanese War /Equipment.— General MacArthur has ordered the Government to make an inventory of all equipment in 440 aircraft factories, 91 arsenals, and 63 research laboratories which are under Allied custody Allied Headquarters explained that the inventory would provide a completely efficient method of, handling reparations. The items would be catalogued for perusal by the nations claiming compensation from Japan.

Royal Visit to South Africa.— lt is authoritatively stated that there is no possibility of the King and Queen and the Princesses flying to South Africa. The Royal Family will travel in the new battleship Vanguard.—London, June 16. ft