British and Foreign

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 February 1914, Page 3

British and Foreign

V I ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT. fPEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] ! (Received This Day 0.1.0 a.m.) j SHOULD HE SAIL? ! London, February 25. j Mr Arthur Henderson, M.P., asked whether during the strike at Christchureh (New Zealand) the men of the H.M.S. Pyramus and H.M.S. Psyche were paraded with fixed bayonets, and the ships' guns trained on the wharves and their searchlights used to aid strike breakers. Tl>e lit. Hon. Winston Churchill replied that H.M.S. Psyche and H.M.S. Pyramus were present at one period of the dispute. He did not have exact information, but the measurees adopted were only at the express request of the responsible Government of the dominion. The Admiralty's position was explained in a telegram sent to the senior officer in New Zealand on October 28th: "The Admiralty policy is to avoid all interference in labour disputes, especially in tbe dominions. Endeavour to avoid being in a position where you are likely to be called upon'. Don't go unless personally satisfied that your presence is necessary to avoid bloodshed. The Admiralty find great difficulty in believing that such conditions exist." Mr W. Joynson-Hicks, M.P., asked if the commander should sail'away if he thought that he might be called to assist. The Rt. Hon. Winston Churchill stated that it had long been the Admiralty's policy to disentangle the navy as far as possible from all civil disputes. Mr W. Joynson-Hicks: If the colony requested the battleship's aid, and tho commander thought that possibly he might be asked to assist, should he sail ? The Rt. Hon. Winston Churchill : These are matters that call for tact and discretion. (Received This Day 10.15 a.m.) PACIFIC CABLE BOARD. London, February 25. A section of the Pacific Cable Board strongly opposed the reduction in the rates to New Zealand and an effort was made to expunge the minute covering Mr T. Mackenzie's motion but the Board confirmed the minute, whereupon Sir Han-y Primrose resigned the chaimanship. NAVAL ESTIMATES. The supplementary naval estimates amount to £2,500,000 and include ±'77:3,000 for oil fuel. AIRSHIPS AND AEROPLANES. Colonel Seely announced thai the navy is assuming control of the airships and the army is taking control of the aeroplanes.. A LUNCHEON. Tho Empire Parliamentary Association will give a luncheon to Lord Denhani and Mr A. M. Myers, M.P., at the House of Commons on March ; »rd. The Rt. Hon. Lewis Harcourf will preside. BURNEI) DOCFMENTS. Capetown, February 25. The Assembly, by an overwhelming majority decided to appoint a committee to inquire into the source of Mr Cresswell's information regarding *he burning of official documents. Mr Cresswell declared that he will refuse to give any information. FORTY SHILLINGS. London, Feb. 25. Mary Lindsay was fined 40s for dogwhipping Lord Weardale. THE RAILWAY MURDER. Two ticket collectors and a porter gave evidence and stated that they saw no man resembling Starchfield enter Camdentown station. John Symons, a joiner, saw a middle-aged woman in Camden street at one o'clock, roughly dragging along deceased, whom witness knew well. Barnes, a bus collector, declared that he picked up a woman and deceased ;it Mornington Crescent station. They alighted from the bus- at Chalkfarm station about one o'clock. A CONFESSION. London, Feb. 25. George Ball, alias Sumner, has confessed his guilt in connection with the murder of Miss Bradford. He will be executed to-morrow.