MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1920, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Bj F.Jectric Telegraph—Copyright./

AN AUSTRALIAN RLAY. LONDON, August 24. The Austrajlian play “On Our Selection” was extremely well received at Lyric Theatre, by a typical London first night audience, including M. Fisher, (High Commissioner), AgentsCleneral and many Australians. Bert Bailey had a big personal success. There were several other Australians in the caste, including W. A. Quinn. Newspapers favourably notice the pourtrayials by Bailey and other afctpfs of unfamiliar Australian types.

MINERS’ BALLOT. . LONDON, August 25. The miners’ strike ballot commencing to-day will be completed on Monday. A twotliirds majority for a strike is regarded as a foregone conclusion, but there is divided opinion among the leaders regarding its desirability. Mr Clynes urges public discussion between miners’ leaers and Government . There are many protests against pit-boys a|ged 16 being allowed to vote on the same terms as grown men, with families. The export of food is being stopped, in view of the possibility of a strike.

WAGES DISPUTE SETTLED

Reuter’s Telegrams * (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, August 25.

A settlement was reached in t)ie wages dispute of West Riding woollen worsted industry, affecting two hundred thousand operatives. The wprkprs now receive increases o.f 261 per cent, on 'basic rates and ten per cent, on the cost of living wage, owing to the cost of living figure reaching 155 per cent, over 1914.

ATHLETIC GATHERING. (Received This Day at 8 a.i11.) LONDON, August 26.'

A big athletic meeting between teams representing the British Empire and America is fixed . for the 4th September. Queen’s Club athletes, are mainly those who competed at the Olympic Gafnes.

BELGIAN POLITICS. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) BRUSSELS, August 25

It appears that a nationality decision caused a split in the Cabinet. The Foreign Minister M. Hyjnaijs has resigned, supporting the view tlmt the Spviet term sinfripged the independence of' Poland and urging *he despa',tcji of munitions. Jansen, Minister of National Defence has also resigned.

BRITISH COAL CRISIS. LONDON', August 25

It is considered the c«al miners’ ballot will result in a large strike majority It is alleged it is officially regarded as indicating little more than loyalty to the men’s leaders. The leaders decline they would not advise direct action without certain co-operation between the whole of the Triple Alliance. There is stated to be evidence the Alliance would hesitate to sanction a combined strike unless outside unions agree to finance* it. Moderate constitutionalists •will throw their influence faAo' the scale to prevent a strike. The Government say they are convinced Mr Robert Smillio will he unable to lead his own Minors' Federation or the other big associated unions into pre cipitate action. It is possible, as a last resort, the Government will make an appeal to the country on a single issue calling it “Rights of the community against sectional interests I” In the event of a strike being voted at the ballot, the Triple Alliance will meet next week to consider the situa-

Somo Labour officials say they believe the Alliance itself will hpt take the course of direct intervention against the Government.

ANOTHER BALKAN WAR. ROME, Aug.' 25. Sporadic warfare has been in progress sonic time between the Albanians and Serbians, wherein the latter are reported to have been severely defeated, and to have lost two thousand men and a number of guns. The Serbian and Albanian Governments blame each other. An Albanian delegation in Rome has protested to the Italian Government against the Serbian invasion of Albania, on a futile pretext, and has asked Italy Jo put an end to the advance of the Jugo-Slavs* troops, and thereby save a new Balkan war.