MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1920, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

(By Electric Telegraph--Copyright)

POLICE PENSIONS AT HOME

AN ADVERSE DIVISION. LONDON, Feb. 26.

In the Cbmmons, upon a motion favouring an increase in the Police Pension equivalent to the cost of living, the Government suffered a defeat by 123 to 57. Mr Sliortt urged that the police were in the same position as the Army, Navy and Cvil Service. Therefore the concession could not be granted to them. The proposal would involve' a capital sum of fifty millions.

MINING TROUBLE SETTLED. JOHANNSBURG, Feb. 29. The Crown Mine trouble has been settled. The Mine Workers Union oxe_ cutve decided it could not victimise anyone because of his politics.

ORDER RESTORED. CHRISTIANIA, Feb. 29. The Norwegian Consul-General at Archangel reports that the revolution passed quietly, and order now prevails. ROWING. LONDON, Feb. 26. Barry sails for Australia on the 4tli of March with his) trained, McAlpine. He takes two new boats. FRENCH RAILWAY STRIKES. PARIS, Feb. 26.

The railway strike is general. Government is the lines, and organising motor and other services. The strike threatens to render Lyons Fair, (at which the Dominions are largely represented), a failure.

THE KAISER’S FATE. LONDON February 29. ; The “Daily Telegraph” states that the idea of banishing the cx-Kaiser to a remote island has been abandoned. Holland is now considering the idea of removing him to a spot further from the frontier.

FRENCH STRIKE AND SOVIET PARIS, February 29.

Tlie railway 'strikers have thrown off the mask. They admit the strike is thp (beginning of a general movement to demand the nationalisation of the railways, which lias become the real crux of the situation.

The strike is not yet general. Many employees in Paris are ignoring the strike leaders.

It is significant that the French General Federation of Labour so far with-holds recognition of the strike.

THE. FRENCH STRIKE. . (Received this day at 8 a.in.; LONDON, February .27.

The French strike is widely extended. Tho block in most of the systems i<s complete. Tho Government is beginning to call up the railwayman as soldiers.

WHITE WORKERS AND BLACKS. JOHANNESBURG, February 29. The Crown Mine trouble has been settled regarding the white workers’ attitude to the blacks’ strike. Thirtyfive members of tho Mine Workers’ Union refused to work with an International Socialist at the Crown Mine because lie is alleged to have presided at a meeting at which some leaflets were distributed, exhorting tlie white miners not to “scab” on native miners when they were on strike. The outcome is that the Mine Workers Union Executive have decided that it could not victimise anyone because of bi s poi itios.

SIR. F BORDEN STILL ILL. OTTAWA,, February 29. Sir F. Borden has returned from a visit to England. His health has not improved and it is considered that lie is unlikely to resume the Premiership actively.

JAPANESE POLITICAL CRISIS. WASHINGTON, Feb. 29 According to official advices from Tokio, the Japanese Diet has dissolved as the result of a profound difference between the Cabinet and a majority of the parties regarding the extension of the franchise. The Emperor dissolved the Diet at the request of the Premier, following upon the violent scenes in Parliament.

A NATIVE AFFRAY. JOHANNESBURG, February 29. Following a.'native meeting at Verdedorpe, the natives stoned a force of police and also one of South African Mounted Rides who came to their rescue. Later the natives storied some white civilians. Further condicts followed, wherein the whites used rides and revolvers. They killed two of the natives. Police patrols then cleared the streets with batons and quietness was restored. THE NEW MARVEL. (Received This Day ait 8 a.rii.) LONDON, February 27. Telephonic wireless experiments arc proceeding at Chelmsford, attempting to speak to America and Australia. Already telephonic messages aro being picked up from Spain. The apparatus costs £lO.