BRITISH AND FOREIGN ITEMS,

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1922, Page 2

BRITISH AND FOREIGN ITEMS,

AhS'tli.tlJAfl AND CABLE ASSOCIATION.

BRITISH BEER DUTY. LONDON, June 27

In tlie House of Commons, Sir R. Horne accepted an amendment to the Finance Bill, halving the duty on intoxicants supplied to clubs. Subsequently an luncndiucut was moved reducing, the duty on beer from 100 s to 70s per barrel. Sir R. Horne said this would involve the addition of one'shilling to the income tax. A prolonged debate followed, speakers urging that the duty should be reduced "in view of the recent enormous deductions from wages. The amendment was finally rejected.

HAVELOCK WILSON’S INTENSIONS; LONDON, June 26.

.H the Labour Party’s Conference at Glasgow, there was a discussion on the position of Mr Havelock A\ ilson, M.P. for South Shields (Secretary of the National Union r.f Seamen). It was pointed out that he has now declared his intention of standing at the next election as a supporter of the C-aHtion Government. . The Rt. Hon . Arthur Henderson declared that, under the new rules, the new executive would have to consider the position of Air Wilson and of certain other members who were sailing under Labour's colours.

BULGARIAN HELPERS. BELGRADE, June 2t. The trial of two hundred people who wore accused of favouring tlie Bulgarian Commitadiie orgausivtitm iti Serbian Macedonia has concluded. 1-ivC wore sentenced to death, and seven to 2ti years penal servitude, and the rest were released.

BARRED FROM HOUSE OF LORDS. LONDON, June 27. Details are published as to the adverse decision of the Committee on Prvile-e, who have been rehearing Lady Rhondda’s claim to sit in the House of Lords (as cabled May 19th). The Lord Chancellor, on behalf of the majority of eight of the Committee, in outlining the reasons for rejecting her claim, said:—“The holder of a peerage, who is a minor, is not entitled to sit in the House of Lords, but might grow entitled, and a felon or a bankrupt might receive a, pardon, but ft female remained a female until she died. She was disqualified from exercising her peerage by her sex Lord Haldane, on behalf of the two dissentients, said that the. Sex Disqualification Removal Act now operated, and it entitled the claimant to sit.

OLD SHELL EXPLODES. BRUSSELS, June 27. While engaged in reconstruction work at Wvtschaete an old shell exploded, killing eleven and injuring many. .

BRITISH LABOUR, • LONDON, June 27. At the Labour Party’s conference in Glasgow, Mr F. W. Jowett- (Chairman of the Party) presiding, the chairman bitterly attacked the vulgar oigies. of the rich. The conference witnessed some noisy scenes with the com- ✓ munisb members, who obj'ected to a new rule compelling their acceptance of the Party’s constitution before their being allowed to attend the conference. This rule was adopted by a 10 to 1 majority ‘ FIGHT FOR FOUR COURTS.

(Received this day -at 8 a.m.) / LONDON, June 27. A loud explosion preceded firing about Four Courts. The garrison m Fowler Memorial Hall refused to surrender. The copper dome, of Four Courts was blown in. The battle is expected to last all day.

JAPANESE PRINCE DEAD. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) . TOKTO, June 27. Obituary.—Prince Fushimi aged 51 years. Ho contracted influenza in November, and tlie Court ceremonies incidental to the Prince of Wales’ visit proved a heavy strain On bis weaken'd constitution- *’ ’ ?"■ r *.