BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1922, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AIN JJ N.Z,. CARLE AhSOCIATION.

SMILLIK’S REPLY TO HODGES. LONDON, September 8.

At the British Trades Union Congress, an amendment was moved to the General Council’** standing ordei s. amendment proposing to enfable tile council to assist financially and otherwise any union that may be attacked by the employers, the aid being secured by levying all the members. Mr Hodges (secretary of the Miners’ Federation) sa.id lie was opposed to the proposal. He said the chief characteristic of the Trade Union Movement was a desire for autonomy. Air Bob Smillie urged the Congress to jiass the resolution, though lie admitted that the scheme would be futile as regards the great key industries. These great key industries, such as the mines and the railways, would determine the future of the Trade Union movement. The real fight ho tween Capital and Labour, however, must be fought, lie said, with the whole movement. joined. If Labour had not sufficiently learned that lesson during the last few years, then the success of Labour would be hopeless.

This resolution might he actually the beginning of organising all the unions into one solid movement.

Air J. R. Clyncs, ALT’., said he was in favour of some improved scheme for centralisation. The leaders of the great groups of workmen, he said, were disunited on the scheme, but were against any outside influences in the dispute. It would be unwise to create machinery in the face of a crisis, until there was a'really greater degree of agreement among those responsible for the joint action. The motion was shelved.

STATE OF INDIA. DELHI, September 8. The native tension is still acute, but further trouble is not anticipated. The leading Hindus and Aloliaininednns are co-operating with tile authorities in an effort to restore confidence into the masses.

Police and military are still occupying the city. Tiio latest casualties arc four killed, three missing, and one hundred people grievously hurt. The whole of the first day in the Indian Legislative Assembly has been devoted to a discussion on Air Lloyd George’s recent speech on India and on the Indian civil service.

It is a long time since any speech made in England lias so stirred up the whole of India.

The Indian members of the Assembly. generally, resented Lloyd George’s description of Indian reforms as “an experiment.” They also resented tho British Premier’s threatening warning. • A resolution was proposed to the effect that the Indian Government should send lo tile Home Government a strong note of protest against the British Pre-

mier’s remarks. In effect the motion was a vote of censure on the British Government and the British Parliament.

Some prominent members of the House stigmatised the proposal as

harmful. They said it was likely to alienate British opinion. Consequently the resolution was finally negatived. Air Hughes’s recent letter to Air Sastri was lead out and was received with satisfaction and applause. SOCIAL I’R OB LEALS. LONDON. September 8. Tlie Australian Press Association’s Geneva correspondent states: Messrs Sheldon and Dale carried an amendment at the League Committee on Social Problems, when it was agreed to urge on all governments, including Australia and New Zealand, the immediate adoption of an import and export certificates system, ns the most practical means of exercising control ovei* the traffic in opium, cocaine and other dangerous drugs. A SHOCKING ACCIDENT. (Received this day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON. September 10. A hoy aged seven years, after alighting from a Iramcar in Norwood, was knocked down by a taxicab, his leg being caught between the chassis bar and the engine drum. All unavailing effort to release him lasted for an hour, while the hoy sere. iiiii’d with agony. Three doctors who were summoned decided to amputate above the ankle and traffic was suspended while the anaesthetic was administered nnid, the operation was carried out behind a screen of rugs and blankets. S. A. GENERAL DEAD. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON. Sept 9. Obituary:—Commissioner Rowley of the Salvation Army, who accompanied General AVilliam Booth on his Australian and other tours.