MISCELLANEOUS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1919, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS

*By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) OLD AGE PENSIONS. LONDON, Decs 19111 the House of Commons, Mr Bonsi Law stated that the Government- werf now prepared to pas's before Christmas a grant of ten millions sterling to raise old age pensions from 7s 6d to 10s. DUPLICATING PACIFIC CABLE. LONDON, Dec. 20. Mr Lloyd George, in the House of Commons, said the Imperial Communications Board have considered, but have not reached a decision regarding the duplication of the Atlantic cable connecting with the Pacific cable. SCOTTISH CHURCHES UNION. LONDON, Dee. 19. After twelve years of negotiations, the Established Scottish Church and the United Free Church of Scotland have agreed to union by an overwhelming majority. Parliament will be asked to pass a Bill recognising the new constitution.

EMDEN’S CBEW RELEASED. LONDON, Dec. 19. The remaining members of the Emden’s crew who were detained at Malta, have been released and landed at Venice. They are continuing their journey to Germany. GLUT AT SMITHFIELD. (Received This Day, at 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, December 19. Owing to a glut at Smithfield market, the Food Ministry has permitted the sale of a few hundred tons of Australian mutton at a penny under the controlled prices. NEWS CONFIRMED. (Received this day, at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, December 19. Lloyds announce that', the British steamer Lipnskin bound from Hong Kong to Saigon, has been wrecked at Paracels Islands, in the China Sea, 497 native passengers being drowned.

FOOTBALL TOUR. (Received this day, at 9.3 Q a.m.) LONDON, December 19. The Northern Upton which is anxipus to complete arrangements for an Australian tour, is becoming restive owing to the absence of communication from New South Wales regarding the terms. Trial matches for the selection of the team have been arranged but the appointment of managers has been postponed.

INDIAN UNREST. A SERIOUS POSITION. (Received this dnv at 9 2o a.m.) LONDON, December 19. Striking details of disaffection in Punjab are being published. The principal reasons for political agitation are alleged to be the high prices of food and other necessaries, the Mohammedan unrest at public floggings, and long intervals , between arrest and the trial of agitators, lulndreds of whom have been gaoled. Shootings occurred in many places especially .{it Lahore, wher© mobs took the city. Europeans are being evacuated with difficulty. Eventually the fortytliird brigade supported by four aeroplanes, two carrying bombs, retook the city. The temper of the crowd was sullen and savage. Commissioners and military commanders reported the shooting of Dyer at Amritsar had an instantaneous effect, the disaffection rapidly declining. The officials admit that quasi-public floggings have been numerous and admit a priest and wedding party were flogged, because the gathering numbered more than ten, permissable under martial law. The Magistrate responsible for these floggings wag dismissed.

GERMANS IN ENGLAND. _ CAUSES MUCH DISCUSSION. (Received This Dm m 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 19. Large numbers qf Germans have returned to Britain and are prominent in public places and hotels. The German language is heard in bus and train, evoking silent but uncontrolled dislike.

The Solicitor-General, Pollock, giving evidence before the Commons Committee considering the proposal to continue tjje policy of military power to search without a warrant, said tliej had German spies passing backwards and forwards secuding dangerous information and re-weaving an insidious net-work which did suqh (lamiige parly in the war. ’ • Butcher, the Commoner, leader of ‘'British Watch Dogs” states many returning spies are the British wives of Germans. These rank their husband’s interests above the nation’s. Scotland Yard admits the difficulty of dealing with German commercials, holding credentials from important firms with which Britain desires to do business. There is an even greater difficulty in tracking agents.

A NEW STEEL. (Received this day at 8.15 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 19._ The “Daily Mail” stales Arnold, professor of metallurgy at Sheffield University, lias produced a new steel, the hardness and cutting powers of which are far beyond all existing qualities ot highspeed steel. ARRESTED. PARIS, Dec- 19. Landru’s wife and son have been arrested for complicity irt the husbanc alleged crimes, ALCOCK’S DEATH. PARIS, Dec. 19. The aviator Alcock fell near Rouen.

BELGIUM’S DESIRE. (Received this day, at 9.30 a.m.) ■BRUSSgLS, Dec. 19. The Belgian Government declined the Allies proposals to re-establish Belgium’s neutrality on the old lmes. England and France offered to gu.iran her territorial integrity for five years on t condition of Belgium Pro—^ SSSrSSS-JL frontiers, or adequate military safe