MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1920, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright ) LOUTH BYE-ELECTION. (Reuter’s Telegram.) (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, June 16. The bye-election for Louth, where activities were interrupted by the flood disaster of 3()th May resulted Wintringham, (Independent Liberal), 9859. Turned, (Coalition Unionist), 7354. LABOR CONFERENCE (Received this day, at 9.30 a.m.) GENOA, Juno 17. The Seamen’s International Conference discussed an eight hour day which was generally npprovd, but there • was considerable dissention over the proposed 48 hour week. British delegates demand Sunday entirely off. Anglo-Ame-rican delegates differed regarding the sailors’ right to leave their ship at any port. LABOR DEMAND. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) OTTAWA. June 17. The American Federation of Labor reaffimed its demand for recognition of the Irish Republic, amidst a demonstration. GOVERNMENT OF BURMA (Received this dav at 8 a.m.) LONDON, June 17. The White Paper continues proposals for a new institution for Burma under which the title of Viceroy of India will he altered to Governor-General of , India and Burma. A wide extension ; of local self-Government of Burma is j contemplated by means of principal j committees, Burma legislature to consist of ninety-two elected members, : thirty nominated and six-official members, while the Executive Council of six will be devided into three commit- , tees dealing with home affairs, finance and development, each containing one official and one non-official member. Of the non-offieial members recommended one will he European and two Barmans. ! | MR WATT’S RETURN. | ' (Receved this day at 11.30 a.m.) ; LONDON, June 17. j It is expected Mr Watt will return to I Australia as soon n s shipping aecommo dation is obtainable.

DEMPSEY ACCEPTS CHALLENGE. (Received this day at 11.25 u.in.j SAN FRANCISCO, June 16. Dempsey accepts to-day’s challenge from Carpentier for any time and place after 10th October. CONVERSION TO AN OIL BURNER. (Reuter’s Telegram.) Ofeitrtw-d This Dav at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, June 17. The conversion of the Ctinarder Aqua, tanin, to an oil burner marks an epoch in the history of the mercantile marine engineering. It i s expected that the ship will be ready in July to establish a new trails-Atlantic record. The cost of the alterations will be -£250,000. She will carry sufficient fuel for two voyages. LEAGUE OF NATIONS. (Received this day at iX.Zo p.ini LONDON; June 17. The renewed discussion on the question of the utility of the League of Nations ,to which the Nauru debate eontri_ buted,' showed increasing candour and pessimism. The “Times,” in an editorial describes as a pompous farce the League’s offer of mere sympathy to the Persian Government, and to await the result of Russia’s promises. It'is enough to provoke a world-wide homeric laughter, following as it did the flat refusal of the Soviet authorities to admit to Rus_ sia the League’s Investigating Committee. Tlie League mefely threw upon tlie Soviet Government the entire responsibility, which it refused to accept. The' “Times” believes that only malice could involve the crippled League in situations at present beyond its strength. Enough has a’-eady been done almost to kill it. The AngloFrench must try to nurse and protect, while awaiting help from America. The Manchester “Guardian” suggests that the Nauru debate weakens the authority of the League, to which world is entitled to look for assistance in reconstruction work, and the maintenance of open doors. The “Westminster Gazette” fears the League may he stifled in its cradle. It declares that tlie Nauru Bill is stupid and. unprincipled. It creates a precedent lor defeating the principles of the i vague, and pffers our rivals a working model for evasions. PRACTICE ECONOMY, (Received This Day at 1.5. p.m. l LONDON, June 17 Hon Chamberlain has written to the heads of Government Departments enjoining the strictest economy. He says that not a penny will le al’mved by way of supplementary estimates.