BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1922, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

.IItjTKALIAN AND N.Z. OAJIf.E ASSOCIATION CAPE RAILWAY. ißeceived This Day at 1.30 -p.m.) CAPETOWN, May 8. In tlie Assembly, the Minister for Railways' in introducing the railway budget, said the financial position of the railways was one causing grave concern. Only determined economy ;n every direction could retrieve the deficit of the past year, nearly two million sterling, three fold. He estimated the amount making the accumulated deficit over four million. The strike in February and March involved a loss of threequarters of a million. The estimated revenue is just over twenty-four million, an increase of 1J million. Reductions included the cost of living allowance, modification of eight hour day, and reductions of staff. The Administration is considering a cheaper method of working and maintenance in view of doing a big business at a low tariff, rather than a small business at a high tariff. MARTIAL LAW COMMISSION. CAPETOWN, May 8. Remarkable evidence was given before the Martial Law Commission at Johannesburg, regarding relations between tne revolutionary leaders and nationalists. An affidavit by a Dutch minor stated he accompanied the Red .Leader Erasmus on a motor drive in Free State, just previous to the outbreak where he had interviews with prominent Nationalists, they subsequently meeting at Fordsburg on tne day of ■the outbreak'. Erasmus announced he had been through the Free State and had the whole country behind them. Major Trigger produced affidavits showing plans of the movement timed for January 18th, but they proved abortive. Early in March Trigger obtained possession of part of the Council of Action’s secret code, which was used by telephoning to the Council’s headquarters. Fisher (Red leader) responded to Trigger who was using the code, and Jsked for certain vegetables. Fisher re- * plied that ho had sent for cabbnges and ! potatoes meaning dynamite and detonators. f - i