MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1922, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

iUSTHALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. ■\ THE CAPE REBELLION. 1 CAPETOWN, May 13. In the coirrse of evidence before the Martial Law Commission, Colonel Beer 1 (Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Free Stato) stated during the progress of the strike, secret meetings were held all over the Free State, and addressed by speakers from the ltiuid. The situation became very serious, as eomI mundoes were projected, several places tidy waiting word to rise. A woman < rganised the commando at Bloemfontein, hut the Magistrates, together with Hertzog. quashed the movement. MANCHURIAN AFFAIRS. HEUTEII’s TELEOUAMS. i'OKIO, May 13. The Japanese press, commenting on the possibility of a Manchurian declaration of independence, which is now frequently rumoured, generally express its disapproval, based on the possibility of charges of Japanese intrigue and connivance with Chang Tso Lin. Although one regiment has already sailed from Yokohama' to reinforce the Japanese police nnd garrisons in Manchuria, opposition is being voiced against any further substantial troop movements to Manchuria, especially from Korea, the “ Asalii ” denouncing it as groundless.

Pekin despatches, reporting Japanese assistance and moral support for Chang, says there is no necessity to fear a large revival of banditry in Manchuria. nor mutinies among Chang’s troops. Chang is capable yet of handling the internal situation in his province, and proving a safeguard for Japanese residents. The “ Kokoinin ” says the result of the recent fighting simply exchanges military dictators, and does not make a material difference in Chinese foreign relations.

A VETERAN AIRMAN. LONDON, Mav 13

Santos Dinnonl. one of the first airmen, who is now cattle ranching in Brazil, is visiting Paris and participating in the Aero Club’s Grand Prix on the loth. Although declaring his Hying days to ho over, lie is still keenly interested in air matters and thinks his tiny Demoselle was the right idea. Had the constructors endeavoured to perfect the small, very light machine, flying would now lie a most popular sport. CHARGE AGAINST TROTSKY. BERLIN, May 13. Sehliapnikoff, loader of the Workers Opposition accused Trotsky of appropriating for his own use, thirty million gold roubles. At eleventh ‘ Congress of Communists Trotsky and Zinovieff advocated Schliapnikoff’s expulsion from the party, on tile ground of Ills attacks against Soviet bureaucracy. -I rotsky’s reply to the charge is awaited with interest in Moscow.

WHEAT SALES. LONDON, May 13 Cargoes are firm, sellers requiring an occasional sixpence advance. Australian afloat 58s Gd, May 58s 9d; parcels afloat 58s.

PACIFIC CABLE. VICTORIA, Mav 13

John -Milward arrived by the Niagara from Suva via Fanning Island on route to London, to report to the hoard regarding the route for a duplicate Pacific cable. It is understood it will be different to the present route, but further information is not available.

PRICE OF PETROL. WASHINGTON, May 13

Government intends to investigate the reason for several recent increases in the price of petrol. During the past six weeks prices have risen a cent weekly and it is now selling at twentynine to thirty-one cents per gallon. The Department of the Interior says further increases amounting to five cents are expected by the middle of June. Vast surplus stocks make the increase difficult to understand.

DAVLS CUP. NEW YORK, Mav 1.3.

The Davis Cup Committee have received a cable staling Kuinagao is unable to play the series. While Sliimidlu and Kashin will make a good pair it is though! Japan’s chances are greatly lessened by the absence of Kumagae.

CANADA’S NAVY. VANCOUVER, Mav 14

A smacking of "Pinafore” says a leading Canadian newspaper, with reference to Canada’s plans for fishing protection, the cruiser service taking the place of Canada’s navy, which in turn is practically scrapped. The -Minister for Naval Defence speaking in the Commons said five now ships which Britain a year ago presented to Canada will lie laid up, and the bulk of the crews will be sent home, Britain replacing these with a fishery cruiser and two trawlers, which will he placed both in Atlantic and Pacific. Four officers from the Royal Navy now in the service, will he retained to train a sort of naval militia for two or three weeks of each year. It is hoped to train 1,500 youths annually, they later being candidates for the fishery protection service, if they wish to join. It is expected that next week this outline of the Government naval plans will be fully discussed in Parliament. Meantime the explanation on behalf of Government says the action proposed is in view of the general suspension of great expenditures throughout the world and of Canada’s financial burdens and the burdens we have to carry, so we must face the situation in the light of a declaration by leading World statesmen, that there must be a suspension of abnormal expenditure.