NEWS FROM OVERSEAS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 17 November 1927, Page 3

NEWS FROM OVERSEAS

CABLES IN BRIEF.

The Slater Cases Sir J. Gilmour, Secretary for Scotland, is introducing immediately a single clause bill to authorise an inquiry into the Slater case. All parties agreed to offer no opposition.

Proportional Voting: “The Times’ ” Belfast correspondent rejjprts that in Parliament, the Premier (Sir James Craig) announced the Government’s bill.’ abolishing proportional representation, also embodying an extension of the franchise to women ot 21 if a similar extension is adopted by the British Parliament.

Franco-Yugo-Slav Treaty: The “Daily Mail’s” Paris correspondent reports that to the Chamber’s Foreign Affairs Committee M. Briana announced that the Government proposed negotiations to secure Italy s adhesion to the Franco-Yuga-Slav treaty. He said the _ Government was not alarmed' by Italian press criticisms which, it was convinced, did not represent the Italian Government’s real sentiments.

Waterfront Trouble: The New South Wales Waterside Workers’ Federation decided to declare black all coal arriving in Sydney from the north and south coasts for transhipment bv inter-State or overseas vessels. The trouble arose out of the employment of casual wharf labourers in loading the vessels, the men demanding preference to unionists.

Sydney City Council: The New South Wales Assembly granted Mr Bavin leave to introduce the Civic Commission Bill by 45 votes to 40 votes. Mr Bavin, explaining the bill, said the Commission would consist o. a chairman and two other members, and would have power for two years. The measure would dispense with the forthcoming Citv Council elections, the Commission taking charge of the administration of the city. It would also have full powers to investigate civic administration in recent times, and as far back as it thought fit. Before the two years expired it was hoped the Greater Sydney Bill would be passed, and the Commission would cease to exist.

Reservists in China: Sir Laming Warthington-Evans, Secretary for War stated in the House of Commons that all Class A reservists, other than those detained by sickness or other unforseen' causes, would have left China before Christmas, but he was not sure whether those sailing on the last ships would reach thenhomes by Christmas.

A Portuguese Decree: Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister. President of the Board of Trade, was asked in the House of Commons what progress had been made in the negotiations with the Portuguese Government over their flag discrimination decree. He said he understood a commission appointed by the Portuguese Government to examine the question of shipping charges had made- its report. and a decree might be issued by the Portuguese Government shortly. The decree, when issued, would be examined to see how far it met the joint representations made to the Portuguese Government.

Imported Meat in Britain: Asked what slops the Board of Trade had 'a-:i to prevent a general rise in the price oi imported meat when the

Argentine meat war ended. Sir P. Cunliffe-Lister stated in the House of Commons that the Food Council was closely watching the situation. It had interviewed representatives of Argentine chilled meat importers, who generally were of .the opinion that retail prices would not be increased.

Miners’ Grievances: The American Federation of Labour, at a meeting in Pittsburg, voted to lay the cause of 130,000 striking coalminers in Pennsylvania and Ohio before President Coolidge, and to demand an immediate investigation from Governor Fisher. Thpy allege the misuse of power by the agencies of the State Government against 85,000 mine workers. It is declared that these men and their 121,000 dependents are on the verge of destitution. The La bout committee states that the legal injunction process has been used not to sustain law or provide equity, but to deny workers the right to secure justice under the law. / Soviet Expulsions: The expulsion of Trotsky and Zinovieff has caused an unparalleled impression in Moscow, where the part played by Trotsky in October. 1917. is now drawing loud applause in the cinemas. Meantime it should not be assumed that Trotsky and Zinovieff are in penitent or timorous mood. According to the Moscow correspondent of the “Berlin Tageblatt,” it is certain the Opposition will continue its recalcitrancy to the extreme. even the extremest of all, limits. This is taken to mean that Trotsky is prepared to risk a clash of arms against Stalin.

Miner Murders Hie Wife: There was a painful scene at the Durham Assizes after John Thomas Dunn, a miner, had founo guilty of the murder of his wife, whom, it is alleged, he strangled and then bung from pegs in the kitchen, as though she had committeed suicide. Tlie Judge was putting on the black cap when Dunn, whose children had given evidence, cried out: “It is time the law was altered. It has been »aM, ‘A little ghild shall lead us,’ but today a little child has condemned me. Christ said; ‘Father, forgive them.’ 1 forgive my children, because thev do not know what they do. God help them. God help me.” The Judge then pronounced the sentence of depth, while many in the Court sobbed. One of Dunn’s little boys ran out into the street, screaming, “My father is going to be hanged.”

Labour Leader in N.S.W. Upper House: In defiance of orders the Australian Labour Party and Labour members of the N.S.W. Legislative Council held a ballot to select a leader of the party in that Chamber and chose J- F. Coates, who defeated Mr. Willis by 20 votes to 13.

Army Rackets: The Prince of Wales won the first round of the Army Rackets Championship, beating H Sanford, of the Coldstream Guards. 10—8. 9—4, 9—O.

Tarring Incident: Thomas was fined £2 at Melbourne. The Bench said it was convince,! that Thomas’s statement, which was handed to the po’ice, gave a correct account of the occurrence and that the defendant .tarred himself.