GENERAL CABLES.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1920, Page 3

GENERAL CABLES.

Y.M.O.A ACTIVITIES AT ROME. DENOUNCED BY THE POPE. [BY TELEGRAPH PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABI.B ASSOCIATION. ROME, Dec. 23. The Y.M.0.A., which has set up branches in Rome, has 'been attaoked in a decree by the Holy Office. Tho tlecree asks the Bishops to watch any organisation which, while professing to favour absolute freedom of thought in religious matters, yet instils indifI'erentism and apostacy to tho Catholic religion in the minds of its adherents. The decree specifically mentions '.he T.M.C.A., which, it states, is upheld i,y many Catholics who are ignorant of its real nature. The decree declares the Y.M.C.A. is corrupting the faith of the youths of Italy. It recalls 'he Canon Law which forbids those papers, periodicals, and organisations that are in favour of religious rationalism. It requests the bishops to communicate to the Holy See, within two months, ‘he decisions taken at regional congresses to he hold on the subject.

PACIFICATION OF MESOPOTAMIA LONDON, Dec. 25.

A Whitfe Paper issued contains a statement by Sir Percy Cox that the pacification of Mesopotamia haß prosrossed satisfactorily. It has been possible to declare an amnesty in recently disturbed areas in (the Middle Euphrates, where the inhabitants have resumed peaceful avocations. The now Council of State has appointed an expert committee to draft a scheme for the organisation of local forces to replace the British Army of Occupation

EUROPEAN COAL. PARIS, Deo. 23,

Under a new coal agreement between Germany and the Allies, which has b>en practically concluded, by the Reparations Commission, Germany is to provide a minimum of 2,000,000 tons of c oal monthly without the compensation provided for in the Spa agreement. Trance’s share of this coni will be little less than hitherto, as the output ol ! the French mines is at present increasing at the rate of 100,000 tons monthly. ' ''

The coal experts are now of opinion that the coal shortage crisis in Europe lies definitely passed, owing partly to the increasing of production in Germany, France, and Britain, but also to the industrial depression, which has permitted tliie majority of European countries to lay up large stocks.

POVERTY IN ENGLAND. LONDON, Dec. 25

.Discharged men, absentees, and other ex-service men continue to besiege Australia House in London for help. (Several somewhat inebriated claimants to-day threatened to''use force. 'File result was that the police were summoned, and the disturbers were ejected. BRITISH PREMIER’S SALARY. LONDON,; December 25. A Select Committee of the House of Commons proposes that the salary of the l Premier should be £B,OOO. The committee adds that it is doubtful whether any man, without private means, could have held the Prehiiership in recent years. Otherwise there is no great change in Ministerial salaries.

A PALESTINE FUND. LONDON, December 25

The Palestine Foundation Fund administrators have issued a manifesto, signed by Lord - Rothschild, Alfred Mond, Dr Weizmann, and other distinguished Jews, appealing to Jews throughout the world to subscribe £25,000,000, for the reconstruction of Palestine. The manifesto states it is a lofty enterprise to which Jewry stands committed, and that in the world’s eyes. It demands the active co-operation of all Jews in the supreme effort that is required. They must take from self the taxation needed steadily, persistently, and systematically, inspired by the noble Jewish tradition of the tithe.

KING GEORGE GOING TO FRANCE PARIS, December 24 ' King George visits Verdun in January 8. ARMAMENT’ EXPENDITURE. WASHINGTON, December 25. The British reduction in navy and army appropriation 'estimates strengthened the hands.of those members of Congress who want a similar action taken in America. It has united those who want appropriations'cut down for economy’s sake, and those actuated by pacifist principles. Together they now form a large per centagc in Ixith the House and the Senate. JAPANESE EMPEROR. TOKIO, December 25. The Emperor, Yoshikito, who has been ill for a long time, presided at the Privy Council for the first time for a year. He appeared almost restored to health, and bis complete recovery ib expected soon.

SOCIALISTIC®. PARIS, Dec. 26.

The Radical element cracked the whip of mastery over the opening session of the Specialist Congress at Tours, and made it clear the body will favour the adhesion to the Third Communist International at Moscow. It is indicated that, even the Bolshevik creed of twenty-one points will ho acceptable to a large majority. This is surprising, as tho delegates of French country districts, who usually are more conservative ,declared in favour • of Bolshevik principles. This is believed to be a protest against Allied attacks on the Soviets. BEECH AM PAYS U'P. LONDON, December 25. . Beechnm’s creditors have accepted a proposal giving them 20 per cent in the £l. Beecham stated that an estate of 14 millions would he available to meet the debts and only legal difficulties' stood in the way. He hoped his creditors would be paid in full in nine months time.