MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1922, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

lUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. I MINES LAW. CAPETOWN, September 15. Mr Innes lias introduced a Bill in the Union Assembly for the amending of the Mines Act. The principal amendments define the lespectire functions of the Central and the local Governments. There is also a modification of the definition of a mine, so as to include excavations- for minerals regardless of the depths. There is an amendment raising the age of child labour from twelve to thirteen years. . The Bill prohibits the presence or the employment .of children in- future under ground. There is a restriction of the hours of labour in mines to sixty hours per week atiove- ground, and fifty-four hours a week for the below-ground workers. The Bill also prescribes a weekly day of rest. j The penalties are also increased for the disoliedience of orders resulting in ! death or serious injury to the workers. ! The Minister said this Bill was a difficult and contentious matter, but it followed the Union’s international obligations. THE COLOR LINE. j SOUTH AFRICAN PROTEST. CAPETOWN, Sept. 15. At Johannesburg, at a meeting of tire Chamber of Commerce, Mr Martin (Chairman), referring to a demand by Australian farmers for tbe withdrawal of preference on (South African maize, on the grounds that it is produced by black labour, characterised the proposal as a regrettable instance of thecolour prejudice. He did not for a inoindut ■ suppose that the Commonwealth Government would seriously | consider it. ns they had more to lose than to gain. The Union Government j could not continue preference on Austarlian produce and mnmifnctures, if South Africa were penalised for emplacing the aboriginal population in a primary industry of mankind. He could understand tho objection if it were a ease of goods manufactured by black labour and imported into Australia to compete with goods, manufactured by white's, but to apply such i a policy to raw products of the soil j was without justification. They had their duty to the native population, which was a valuable asset of the Union and could safely leave the Government to safeguard their interests.

FRENCH SEAMEN OUT. PARIS, September 16. The crews of all ships at Marseilles struck to enforce a demand for the continuance of the eight-hour day. The twenty three hour strike threatened by the seamen is now general. INTERNATIONAL YACHT RACES. NEW YORK, September 15. At Oyster Bay, Long Island (America) won tlie international six metre yacht races on the total points, scoring 111 to Britain’s 104, though the British yacht Coila won first place n the fifth and sixth races.

The Coiln’s total was 36 points, the highest individual score. AFGHAN CONSULS. • DELHI. Sept 15. Afghan Consuls to Paris and Berlin passed throng,h Lahore. The latter gave interesting details during the short time available. He said Afghanistan was making great headway in trade and education and had opened some thousands of new schools. British. Italian. Russian, Persian, Turkish, Bokharan and Chinese Embassies have already arrived in Kabul, and French and Germans are expected directly. Tt was explained that the journey to Kabul is not difficult nowadays, but the railways have not yet commenced. A good crowd welcomed them at Lahore station. CHEMICAL WORKS BURNT. BERLIN, Sept. 16. A lire destroyed the greater part of Merck chemical works at Darmstadt. Tiio damage amounts to many millions of marks. CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION. LONDON, Sept. 15. Tl ie Irish Claims Compensation Bureau here has received a large number of claims in respect- to damage to loyalists’ property in Southern Ireland during the past few months. The claims are regarded as disclosing the organised scheme to drive out and destroy British interests. The Provisional Government is apparently powerless to provide protection.

The Free Staters have retaken Ball ilia.

Fifty rebels were prisonerod at Balliniiinoro, in Mayo. Large quantities of arms and ammunitions have been captured in other districts. MEDICAL VERDICT PARIS, Sept 15. Six doctors certified to a miraculous cure at Lourdes of a woman, 26 years of age, who lias been suffering from tuberculosis.

AUSTR AT JAN GUAM PIONSHIP. SYDNEY. Sept 27. C. Campbell, of Leant, Blue Mountains won the open golf championship of Australia. MELBOURNE, Sept. 17. The Victorian Ton Miles Cross Country Championship was won by Kolduiun in 59 minutes 5 seconds. KAISER WTLL MARRY. BERLIN, Sept 16. Despite pressure on him from influential German Monarchists, the exKaiser is determined to marry the Princess Do Sclionaieli Carolath. It is expected the wedding will be celebrated in October. FORGERY. MELBOURNE, September 15. Erie Mcßride, extradited from tlie United States, pleaded guilty to a charge of forgery and uttering in connection with peace loan stock valued at £6,000, the property of J. Graham bis employer. He was committed for trial. BATHURST-SYDNEY ROAD RACE. SYDNEY. Sept. 17. The Bathurst to Sydney cycling road race, which has been ■ resumed, was won yesterday bjt; His riding time waif ? hours o 7 'minutes 22 seconds. The roads were bad.