BRITISH AND FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1922, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN ITEMS.

[by telegraph—pkr press association

SHOOTING AtfFRAY: CAPETOWN, Feb. 28. An affray took place outside the Boksburg Gaol, where some strikers intimidated those who were working. The strikers then fired five shots at the police, who replied with a volley. Two of the strikers were killed. A police officer and two men were injured

SHIPBUILDING TROUBLE

LONDON, Feb. 28

English shipyard workers rejected a proposal for reduction of wages, bj 110,882 votes to 10,788. Shipbuilding and engineering workers suggest both sides should ask the Minister for Labour to create a court of enquiry, but the (employers decided that the intervention of a third party would be entirely useless, adding that the result of the ballot was not surprising in view of the way tine question was put to the men, and pointed out that only one in three voted. I It is expected men will approach the Minister alone.

BRITISH POLITICAL SITUATION (Received This Day at 3.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 1

The political situation continues most uncomfortable. There are frequent rumours regarding various members of the Cabinet, to the effect that this or that one is about to resign. It is perhaps not remarkable in these circumstances that Hon Lloyd George’s name is mentioned more frequently than any other. Lord Birkenhead’s speech, cabled on Feb. 24th, strengthened the rumours. Meanwhile the blows sustained at the bye-elections had added to the strength of the Conservative Cabal against a nominally Liberal Prime MmThe Australian Press Association understands Hon Lloyd George has now written strongly to Mr Chamberlain, intimating he won’t submit much longei to the humiliating conditions producec bv influential Conservatives attempts to break up the Chalition, to enable them to appeal td the country on the basis of the old Conservatism, winch Lloy.l George regards as disastrous. I

jflfGllffiEMNG POSITION. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 1 Tlxe Engineering Employers federation had a four hours conference with the Amalgamated Engineering Union on the question cabled on 22m*<*• The conference was fruitless rims the deadlock continues and the lockout wi commence on lltli March, unless further development o-curs. The employ ets consider the next move rests with the Union. The position is regarded as very serious. DAVIS cur. (Received This Day at .*.3U »."0 NEW YORK, March 1 Australasia’s Davis Cup challenge has been received. WALL STREET COLLAPSENEW YORK, March 1 Two more Wall Street brokers firms have collapsed, a total of sixteen in less than a week.

SUFFRAGE DEBATE. TOKIO, March 1

After a week’s stormy debate the Universal Suffrage Bill was defeated by 243 votes to 147.

U.S. SHIP SUBSIDY. (Received Tins Day at ID. to a.m.) WASHINGTON, Feb. 28. President Harding, in introducing the Ship Subsidy programme in Congress, declared a great American merchant marine was) necessary, as a second line of the nation’s naval defence. Mr Harding asked approval of the recommendations for a direct subsidy amounting to thirty million dollars yearly, by raising and diverting ten per cent, of all Customs receipts, also all tonnage taxes collected Ofi both foreign find American ships, which would be addable to the merchant marine fund. The tonnage tax * fluid be doubled. Recommendations for direct aid include adding one half ot" all profits oveT tett per cent, to the shipping fund, the creation of 125 million dollars for construction loanable at two per cent. There will be deduction in income taxes for shippers equal to’ five per cent, of the freight paid on goods imported in American ships. All income taxes will be waived, when the amount of such taxes is applied to the cost of new ships. Fifty per cent, of all immigrants must be carried m American ships. There will he the creation of a merchant marine naval reserve with a maximum of five thousand officers and thirty thousand men, employed on merchantmen, receiving three million dollars yearly pay from the Navy. All Government freight and passenger traffic ust be on American ships The coastwise trade laws will he extended to the Philippines, with preferential rail rates on shipments via) American ships.

COMMERCIAL. LONDON, March 1. P. and O. Coy £3lO to £330; Dalgetys £67^.

YAP TREATY APPROVED. WeASHINGTON, March 1. The Senate approved of the sap Treaty by sixty-seven to twenty-two. TAYLOR MURDER DEVELOPING. /Received This" Day at 1.80 p.m.l NEW YORK, March 1. At (Los Angelos there, has been a development of. the Taylor murder case, Six persons were arrested, following an accusation by Mrs John Rupp, tla Harry Lynch quarrelled with Taylor regarding the purchase of boot-leg liquor which Lync.i and his confederates sold him. Mrs Rupp’s story to the police alleges she heard Lynch and others talking over the crime, the morning afiter. ” She accused Lynch after overhearing them, and he replied: “My (sod, keep quiet about that.”