BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1921, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

‘AUSTRALIAN ANIJ 5.7.. CA lII,K''ASSOCIATION, j, FALL FROM TRAIN. * s (Received This Day at 9.45 a.m.) t ROME, March 15. p PiccaJo was killed through falling (/ from a train. t;

AVIATION AND DEFENCE. LONDON, March 14. General Sir Frederick Sykes, addressing the Institute of Transport, said no British civilian air service had been established, though France was extending hers, and Germany had made 'a start, notwithstanding restrictions imposed by the Peace Treaty. Referring to naval prospects General Sykes said there was every indication that torpedo attacks by aircraft may reach a point where the existence of giant capital ships would be jeopardized. In fact the whole question of capital ships was under consideration. At the outbreak of future war they could expect to to see huge day and night bombers penetrating the enemies countries, seeking to obtain supremacy in the air. There were vast fields for expansion of aircraft in the British Empire. The great distances in Australia, Africa, Canada,

were very suitable for air transport, which prove more economical than construction of railway. From the standpoint of Imperial inter-communications, commercial, and strategical security, it was extremely important that aviation should be encouraged throughout the Empire. The Dominions and Colonies were faced by many problems. An Imperial scheme on a large scale was beyond the Empires resources, but if enterprises were commenced as practical undertakings on a small scale in each self-governing Dominion or colony, they should be able to be coordinated on an Imperial basis by linking up with the nearest portions of the Empire. AMERICAN’ TARIFF. (Received This Day at 9.45 a.m ) WASHINGTON, March 15. , Members of the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee iare 'conferring on tariff legislation and have agreed to abandon •thp Emergency Tariff Bill, in favour of substituting an anti-dumping measure, which Congress will be asked to pass immediately when it meets in April. The duties and the proposed new bill will be based on the vain,, of goods in the American market rather than the value in the country of its origin. UNEMPLOYMENT WAGE REDUCTION. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m) LONDON, March 15. A Trade Union Congress official informs the Australian Press Association that a special sub-committee is considering unemployment wage reduction problems. He states one of the most serious features is the attempt to abolish Wage Boards, affecting three million workers, who are Labour’s bottom dogs. A large body of workers recognise th present rate, fixed in wartime, are artificial and not based on industries’ ability to pay. He views gravely the recent closing of factories, due to international competition and exchange problems. Nevertheless there is strong opposition to reductions based on the recent decline of living costs, which are regarded as ephemeral. FRTGH'PFUL MASSACRES. COPENHAGEN March 15. Tdc Soviet continues to make arrests. At Moscow frightful massacres are going on in th 0 prisons. The victims are mostly relatives and friends of the rebels at Kronstadt, Petpograd and Moscow, #