MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1920, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

(By Electric 'Telegraph—.Copyright)

LONDON FOOD MARKETS. LONDON, March 17. The report of the Hpn. McCurdy’s Departmental Committee advises that the wholesale food markets in London shall be under a single public authority and not private owners. It suggests that power should be given to dor© the existing -markets and establish others suitable for the purpose.

MONSTER DEMONSTRATION CAPETOAVN, March 19. A monster demonstration of women of all classes and colours, numbering several thousands, passed a resolution against the high cost of living and then marched in a procession to Parliament, where the Premier addressed them stating that Bills dealing with profiteering, speculation in foodstuffs,, corners, and combines would be introduced Imjnediatelq. Ho urged tlie public to co-operate in making them successful CAIRO-CAPE FLIGHT. CAPETOAVN, March 20 Van Rynefeld has arrived at Bloemfontein. A r an Ryneld has been placed in charge of the South African Air Force.

TOKIO FLIGHT. DELHI, March 19

It. is rumoured that one of the Italian aeroplanes on the Tokio flight had a forced landing near Denezzor, in tlie Syrian desert, and that rne aviators have been taken prisoner by Arabs and the machine dismantled.

UNITED STATES NEAV ARMY. AVASHINGTON, March 19. The United States House of Representatives has approved of the setting up of a peace-time American Army of 200,000. In addition there are to be 7800 officers

STARTING DOMINION NAVIES. OTTAAVA, March 20

Britain has offered Canada a lightcruiser, four torpedo boats, eight patrol boats, eight submarines and other vessels necessary to form tlie nucleus of a fleet, provided that Canada will undertake their maintenance.

COVENT GARDEN ESTATE. . LONDON, March 19. Edgar AV. Fainveather, a well-known landowner has purchased the Covent Garden Estate from the Beecham Trust Tor considerably over 2A millions, comlared with two millions Joseph Beecham paid tlie Duke of Bedford in 1914. RUSSIAN DUCHESS. AVASHINGTON, March 20. It is announced that some American Red Cross workers found the Grand Duchess Olga, sister to the cx-Czar of Russia, living in great poverty in an abandoned railway carriage, near Novorossisk, in South Russia. CRIMINAL I,AAV BILL. LONDON, March 17. The House of Lords read a second time mi© Criminal Law Amendment Rill, raising the age of consent of girls to eighteen and making it an offence on the part of women over twentyone to seduce a boy under seventeen. A MARRIAGE. LONDON, March 16. Captain Robert Brassey married Lady Dalmeny, before a Registrar, at Chipping Norton, at 8.45 in the morning.

TRADE UNION CONFERENCE. LONDON, March 19 A conference representing 1,309,000

Trade Unionists, approved of the principle of payment by results, with proper safeguards. Messrs O’Grady and Clynes arid those present on behalf of the masters have been urging the principle for a long time, and the resolution is expected to have important results.

SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS. CAPETOWN, March 19. The new Parliament met and re-elect-ed Mr Krige as Speaker. The Governor General, in his speech, did not refer to the political situation. He announced tne proposals to check profiteering, secure fair rents, deal with the currency, banking reform, and the housing question ; also measures to secure industrial peace by the co-operation

of employers and workers, through their joint councils ; the regulation of hours and wages to foster the development of industries; the programme of railway construction and irrigation expansion ; also reform in the native administration.

KING OF IRAK. CAIRO, March 16. Advices from Damascus state the members of the Syrian Congress visited the palace on Bth March, and offered the crown to iEmir Feisul, who accepted it, after which attired in a Field Marshall’s uniform he drove, amid acclamation of the crowd to the municipal palace, where he mounted tho throne amid cries of ‘'Long Live the King.” He lias been proclaimed King of Irak. RELEASED WITH APOLOGIES. LONDON, March 20. All the persons who were-arrested at Findlaters store, in Dublin have been released with apologies.

CLOUDING THE ISSUES. LONDON, March 19. The illarmsworth newspapers are sharply criticising Hon. Lloyd George for his attempt to identify the Labour movement with Socialism, and they urge that it is a false and dangerous doctrine for it means he is proclaiming class warfare. ALLIES IN CONSTANTINOPLE. CONSTANTINOPLE, March 18. General Milne carried out the occupation of Constantinople, using all the Allied troops, including n strong Indian Moslem contingent. Tho Benbow has her guns trained upon the city.

RIOT AT FOOTBALL MATCH. LONDON, March 18. hero wore wild scenes at the semifinal of an Irish football club competition in Ulster, between Cliftonville and Belfast. The crowd invaded the field and the match was abandoned. Revolvers were fired and a policeman was shot in the neck. Ten persons were sent to the hospital. SENTENCED TO DEATH. LONDON, March 18. Edward Redfern, formerly an Army officer has Keen sentenced to death for the murder of a Leeds Bank manager, with a recommendation to merev.

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ENQUIRY.

LONDON, March 19

Mr Albert Thomas, director of the International Labour Office, interviewed, pointed out the agenda for the meeting of tlie governing body at London next week, which included the proposal to send a mission of enquiry to Russia and the appointment of international emigrnton mission. In reference to the former, Mr Thomas stated a wireless had been received to the effect that Russia was prepared to allow the mission to enquire into questions of fact, but reserved to itself the right to send similar missions into other countries. Tlie mission being sent by the League of Nations would make a general enquiry, while tlie international labour mission would be independent, and enquire into industrial and social conditions, not concerning itself with political issues. It will be carried out by representatives of employers, labour leaders and Government experts. In order to ensure co-or-dination between the two enquiries, the international labour office is to be invited to nominate one employer and one worker on tlie general mission. GREEK MOVE. ATHENS, March 19. The A’ilayet of Adi'ianople is tlie centre of a powerful nationalist movement to resist the Peace Treaty.

SHIPOAVNERS’ PROTEST. LONDON, March 19

Ship-owners have made representatives to the Shipping Controller, who is insisting on the further conveyance of wheat, stating that their inability to carry cargo is causing them to lose all their best customers who have supported them for many years.

JAPANESE ACTION. TOKIO, March 17. It is considered that the Allies’ trade policy will be facilitated by the decision that Japanese Siberian forces as the Czechs evacuate, will gradually concentrate on the Manchurian border, endeavouring to avoid a collision with the Red troops. Japan will not reply to the Soviet peace overtures, but will sanction trading with Russia co-operative societies.

CANADA AND JELTJCOE. OTTAAVA, March 20. It is understood Admiral Jellieoe’s report, cabled ill tbo House of Commons, shows Britain is prepared to present to Canada a fleet which at the pre-war prices would he worth 16,500,000 dollars. This would-include one light cruiser, four torpedo boats, eight patrol boats, one flotilla, leader, eight submarines and four mine sweepers. Jellieoe recommends that Canada adopt a naval programme which will cost in the fiist year 5,800,000 dollars, of which 800,000 dollars wili be used for new ships and 500,000 on the maintenance of the fleet and erection of defences. The Government party caucus recently decided against the adoption of any naval programme this year.

A MOVE FOILED

WASHINGTON, March 20

Following the Senate’s rejection of the Treaty, a lengthy debate occurred on Senator Robinson’s motion to reconsider the Treaty. Democrats and mild Republican Reservationists made strenuous efforts to obtain a vote on this mo-

tion, but the adjournment followed, when the motion was declared out of order .

QUERY IN PARLIAMENT. LONDON. March 19

Mr C. Edward M.P. for East Ham is to ask tlie Premier in Parliament whether he has any information as to a risintr being jdanned in Ireland for next Easter Monday, with iornl risings at Liverpool, Manchester, and Glasgow. He also asks whether the Navy has seized any German arms.

PERU AND BOLIVIA. WASHINGTON, March 20. Senator Polk asked the Chilian Ambassador to urge his Government to use tho friendliest influence to reconciliate Peru and Bolivia. 'Hie State Department sent a third note to Peru and Bolivia, asking them to compose their differences. A despatch from Lima states Bolivia has expressed regrets to the Peruvian Minister for the Lapaz incident, cabled on 17th March . ,