BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1921, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASBN., COPYRIGHT. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. GREEK OFFENSIVE. ATHENS, Jan 11. Ex-King Constantine has started a strong offensive at Smyrna, and has left for the front to take command. A BEGGING SWINDLE. BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. keuter’s telegrams. LONDON, Jan 11. In connection with the sentence of a month’s imprisonment on a. military exofficer, or gang leader, on a charge of begging in West End an investigation disclosed that pensioned ex officers who had been organ-grinding in West End were living in luxury at hotels, and that the v were earning up to twenty pounds weekly. It is not unusual to see a queue of women in Regent St. waiting to drop coins into the caps of ex-officers who are masked. The scandal had becomo so glaring that the exOfficers Association, instituted a prosecution with a view to checking it. BRITISH UNEMPLOYMENT. LONDON, Jan. 11. A joint meeting of the Parliamentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress and of the National Executive of the Labour Party has decided unanimously to refuse to co-operate with the Government committee on unemployment.. The meeting also refused to sanction the “short time” proposal..

The meeting summoned a National Labour Conference for January 27, to consider independent proposals to deal with unemployment. AMERICA QUITS. PARIS, Jan. 11. A semi-official Note points out America’s decision to quit the Allied Supreme Council, is merely a formal one, as America has not, as a matter of fact, participated in the Council since 1919, except in an observer’s capacity. This

formal action of withdrawal is necessary in view of President Wilson’s retirement from the Presidency. Despite this, German propagandists in America are suggesting that American sympathies are really with Germany. DOWN WITH PROFITEERS.

VIENNA, Jan. 11. J An inquiry into the cost of livingjhas opened. The Chancellor stated that a | Bill was being introduced into the National Council providing ten years’ imprisonment or a fine of a million crowns foi* profiteers. He declared that the great masses "of the people were working their hardest, but were unable to earni sufficient to procure the barest necessities. The only remedy was to stabilise, the exchanges and to increase in pro | dilution, which would mean ample for-, eign creidts. The Labour delegates demanded corporal and even capital punishment of the profiteers. N I AUSTRIA GOES “BROKE.” VIENNA, Jan. 11. The Austrian Government has ex-

haunted its funds. It has therefore determined to resign on January I 5 and to then hand over power to the Allied Separation Commission, in the hope that the Allies will thus he forced to provide Austria with the financial support that is essential for her. GERMAN OPPOSITION. (Received This Day at 9.45 a.m.)

LONDON, Jan. 12. The “Chronicle” correspondent says there will probably be fierce opposition in the Reichstag to the proposal to create an Army Council, appointed by soldiers votes, to act 'as advisor to the Minister. Supporters of Prussian methods regard the scheme as the beginning of Soviet rule. THE BALLOONISTS. A REGRETTABLE INCIDENT. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) OTTAWA, Jan. 12. Following on the arrival of United States airmen' at Mattice, a regrettable incident occurred. Lieut Hinton who sent a letter to New York stating that one of the airmen, Lieut Farrell, offered to die in order that his body should be used to feed others, was viciously attacked by Farrell, who claimed the incident never occurred. Hinton’s face was bruised. The three airmen, though apparently physically fit, have been suffering from grievous mental tortures. There were serious bickerings throughout the journey. Farrell alleged a safe landing could have been made, but the others carelessly desired to take the chance and drift as far as possible. The Mattice incident is arousing most intense interest. 1 l BILLIARDS. 1 LONDON, January 12. In the match at billiards, Smith has

scored 8897, and Inman 8483. PRICE OF TWEED. (Received This Day at 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 12. j Woollen cloth manufacturers are re- ( during the price by two shillings per yard and asking merchants to pass on the reduction to retailers. 1 HONOR FOR HAIG. (Received This Day at 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 12. Bradford City Council decided by 58 votes to 17, to confer the Freedom of the City on General Haig. Labour members opposed it, on the grounds that it was the wrong moment to honour militarism. The Council will also confer a similar honour on representatives of the rank and file. i THE PRINCE’S TOUR. LONDON, Jan 12. The Prince of Wales has consented to the publication of an authoritative illustrated record of his Canadian and Australasian tours, to be sold exclusively in the interests of blind ex-Service men at St Dunstans.

CABLE NEWS.'