MISCELLANEOUS

Hokitika Guardian, 2 August 1922, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS

.ÜBTRALIAN ANl> N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION W-AR HORRORS. LONDON, July 31. Fokker, the famous Dutch designer of the German “Fokker airplane, has arrived here from America, where he is organising a great commercial aviations system.

In an interview, he declared that air attacks in future wars will be made on a stupendous scale of destructiveness. He did not think it possible that any defence would keep every air fleet away. The best defence would be the strongest air fleet, capable of destroying the enemy bombers' bases. He believed that ultimately air-craft would replace artillery. He pointed out that poison gas carrying aeroplanes which are likely to he used to attack large cities, will develop awful powers. INCREASED BRITISH FORCE. LONDON, July 31. The Committee of Imperial Defence has recommended an increase in the Air Force by 15 squadrons.

LORDS REFORM. LONDON, July 31. The House of Lords has passed the House of Lords Reform Resolution (cabled on 11th. July) without division.

, ALLEGED PLOT. BERLIN, July 1

It is officially denied that any evidence is possessed by the German Government of a Monarchist anti-Poin-caire plot, or that any German official hail -warned France -that such a plot existed.

U.S.A. WOOL TARIFF. NEW YORK, July 31. -The wool battle in the Senate ended when the wool rates that were recommended by the Senate Finance Committee were passed. The duty on woollen blankets is raised from twenty to forty cents per pound, or 25 to 35 per. cent, ad valorem. Certain materials containing wool, such ns laces, belts etc., are taxed 49 cents per pound or fifty per cent.- ad valorem. Knitted woollen goods are taxed 39 to 49 cents per pound, or 35 to 50 per cent, ad valorem.

1N TERN A TION A L STRIK E. Paris, July 3i. The French Seamens’ Union, meeting prior to the assemblage of the Internaional Seamens’ Union, passed a resolution in favour of an International srike. if necessary, in order to enforce a universal seamen’s eight hour day. JAPANESE PROPOSAL. (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) TOKIO, August 1. A proposal lias been made to Government foe a merger of private Government owned steel concerns.

\VI l.t Ef.KSS. LONDON. July 31. A Paris message states that the Tnronialtional Air Commission decided that all passenger aircraft shall bo equipped with wireless.

DEBT PROPOSALS. (Received this day at 11.30 a.m.) London, Aug i

The text has been issued of a note Mr Balfour sent to America and all the Allies, pointing out Britain’s debt, to Amercia and the Allies debts to Britain must be considered ns a whole. All the transactions were made for the common purpose, lie suggests an International agreement involving the cancellation ol both, Britain also foregoing reparations indemnity rights from Germany, in the interests of European stability.

BOTTOM LEY EXPELLED. (Received this day at 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 1. Horatio Bottomley was expelled from the Commons. The Speaker read a long letter in which Bottomley ex pressed regret at having brought a slur on the House of Commons. Whatever irregularities there had been, however unorthodox his methods in (lie conduct of concerns carried on with the most patriotic objects, lie was never guilty ot conscious ti.iud. Expulsion from the Commons was a greater punishment and more enduring than any sentence of a Court oh Law. lie protested lie had been the victim of an appalling error of justice.

Air Chamberlain’s motion was unanimously agreed to.

NO AMERICA CUP CHALLENGE. (Received this day at 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, August 1. The “Daily Express” understands Sir Thomas IJpton does not intend to issue a challenge for the America Cup this year.

EGYPT ENQUIRY. LONDON, August 1. Quartermaster Rowland said he saw n boat full of Lascars and the officers turned hem out. I Shepherd, a bedroom steward, said when in the water he found an empty j boat and got into it and pulled four or five .natives in. They then saw' Colonel Franklin, an Indian officer in the water and Shepherd called on the natives to help Franklin aboard. Two came over and then let Franklin go and , would not trouble. Franklin spoke to the Lascars in their own language and finally one native helped Shepherd to . rescue him. *