MISCELLANEOUS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1920, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

A LABOR THREAT. LONDON, February 12. Mr Hartshorne warned the House that if it rejected the miners’ proposal, the latter would take decisive action at an early conference. The amendment was defeated by 329 to 45.

THE ECONOMIC QUESTION. LONDON, February 12

Hon. Chamberlain replying to line moral iaU) mentioned on February 3rd says the United States Government’s attitude w'as of the first importance. (He doubts whether their participation in the international conference on the econoriiic situation would he obtainable. He emphasised the . gravity of tho situation and government there fore was prepared to appoint representatives to the conference if they were so invited by one of the neutral countries, or the League of Nations. On being satisfied that the conference would assume a representative character, Government would la v down, if they participated, that they were not prepared to considerably add to their existing liability, and if the conference reeommeneds any grant of credit. Government could not support, and not participate in any scheme involved in addition to Britain’s liabilities for expenditure in American areas.

UNREST IN AFRICA. CAPETOWN, Feb. 12,

South Africa is in the throes of a political, industrial, ana commercial upheaval. The merchants are hard bit by the banking restrictions and exchange chaos. From every quarter there are threats of strikes for higher wage and better conditions. The Nationalists, in the general elec, tion campaign, are assiduously preaching republicanism, while the Socialist and Bolsheviks are endeavouring to stir up unrest among the natives. The mining industry has a prosperous outlook with gold at the present level, but it is crippled by strikes. Cost of living demonstrations are taking place everywhere throughout the Union. The Government is lx>ing strongly urged to act before the situation becomes desperate,

TRAIN COLLISION. CAPETOWN, February 12. The Natal mail train collided with the uncoupled portion of a -goods train. Three persons were killed and tw-enty injured. TRADE CONFERENCE. LONDON, February 11. An important conference of manufacturers, prod ulcers and ‘employers is discussing export prospects in the world markets. It was decided that manufacturers ought regularly to allot a fixed portion of their output for exportation, regardless of Home demands, with a view' to the restoration of exchanges. The Conference favour, ed a'proposal to supply European countries only with raw materials instead of long credits..

M. POINCAIRE. PARIS, February 10. The Chamber, by 504 votes to 63, voted in favour of a resolution that “M. Poincaire deserved well of his country.” DIVORCE LAW. LONDON, February 11. Sir Henry McCardie, in the Divorce Court, gave an important considered judgment regarding the damages to which a husband is entitled when his wife is "lured away. He laid it down that the damages should be based on (the following considerations:—First the actual value of the wife to the husband as a housekeeper or as a helji in his business; second proper compensation for injury to the husbaild’s martial honour; third, If the wife was of a wanton disposition, this lessened her value; fourth, damages should not be given against a co-respondent who was nob aware that the woman was married. He declared that a wife who posed as single must be deemed valueless. He asserted that the Count had no right to punish misconduct, and the damages should not be punitive.

According to Sir Henr McCardie’s decision a woman could not sue another woman for taking her husband away. The law, he said, held that a hvifo had no such right to a husband’s services as a husband possessed regarding a wife.

SAVING THE CHILDREN. LONDON, Feb. 10

A movement is being inaugurated in the north of England to bring children from famine areas in Central Europe for a yenris stay in England. /Manchester City Council has been asked to arrange hospitality for 2000 children, and Bradford for another 1000. All are to be of school ago, In connection with-the proposal to extend hospitality to children from Central Europe there was an ncriminous debate at Bradford Council as the result of which the Council rejected the proposal. One speaker angrily declared that there were many children in Bradford who wanted succouring as badly as tho children of Central Europe.

Others asked if the English children killed in the aid raids were forgotten. Ono speaker declared that the proposal emanated from the Labourites who supported the enemy in war time. This caused a heated discussion until the statement was withdrawn.

THE SILVER COINAGE. I LONDON, Feb. 11. In the House of Commons Mr A. Chamberlain (Chancellor of the Exchequer) gave notice of a Government Rill to amend the law regarding the standard fineness of the silver used in the coinage in Great Writs in and in the Dominions. THE FIUME REVQLT. ROME, Eel). 11. The Commandant of Finnic city has sent a protest to Sir Eric Drummond denying the League of Nations has any right to interfere in the Adriatic question, The protest added:— “lt is now clear the League is nothing but the representation of those great powers who are wishing to impose their hegemony on the rest of the world. The Commandant also sends greetings and assurances of solidarity to Ireland, India, and Egypt. i

SLESWIG’S VERDICT,

1 TO REJOIN DENMARK

I AMSTERDAM, Teb. 12. I There are intense rejoicings in Sles-

wig, though the final result of tho plebiscite lias not yet been declared. Crowds thronged the streets of all the towns and villages, awaiting the return.

When it was seen that a reunion with Denmark was assured, the Sleswigers made festival. Bands played the Allies’ Anthems and the inhabitants hung up national flags.

A NEW ZEALAND ACTION. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, February 12,

The Union Steamship Coy of New Zealand versus Robin was dismissed with costs.

A COAL STRIKE PREDICTED. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.). LONDON, February 12

Mr Hartshorne, tho Labour member of the House of Commons, for Logmore, says there will he a coal strike in jsiix weeks’ time. The issue 'of nationalisation must now be decided outside Parliament. He predicted nationalisation will be passed within three months.

BRAVO, AUSTRALIA. (Received This Day at. 8 a.m.)

LONDON, February 12

General Monash’s war book is receiving many favourable notices. The London press is eulogistically referring to Australian gallantry, and Monash’s leadership.

THE NEW SPEAKER. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) PARTS, Feb. 12.

M. RnnolJPeret wa selected President of the Chamber in succession to M. Desclianel.

THE NATIONAL FELING. (Received This Dnv at 8 a.m.) FLENSBORG, Feb .12

The jubilation of the Danish population enraged tho Germans who hauled down tho Allied flags, and hoisted tho German. It is believed the Allied Mission will declare a state of siege. Tho French troops with a band, marching the streets, received an ovation.

THE GAMBLING SPIRIT. 'Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 12

Since the sth of the month on the police instructions the Post Office has detained hundreds of thousands of letters addressed to continental sweep promoters. 'Phe remittances usually range from ten shillings to ten pounds. It is understood that the police do not desire to suppress all such correspondence, but went to make enquiries, liecause they arc certain most of the sweeps are frauds. KOLTOHAK EXECUTED. LONDON, February 13.

Official—General Koltchak, the leader of the anti-Bolsheviks in Russia lias been executed. A LABOR SENSATION. (Received This T)ny at 3 n.m.l LONDON, Feb. 13.

Mr Hartshorne, Commoner, and lead or of the South Wales Miners, caused a mild sensational by asserting in the Commons that the rejection of nationalisation of the mines meant the miners would soon take direct action. Other leaders do not believe the miners will strike, though they admit the situation requires careful handling. There will he much discussion before tho miners’ policy is settled. The Federation’s executive meets next wek, and will summon a national conference. There will also he a conference of the Executive with the Parliamentary Committee and a Trade Union’s Congress. These deliberations must absorb several weeks, ami a strike could not occur under two months, besides it is improbable the miners will strike without the consent of the Triple Alliance, which is extremely doubtful if at all possible. The alternative for a strike is a demand for more wages. The South Wales miners are already demanding fifty per cent, increase.