MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1922, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATI*'".

UNIONS COMBINE. - LONDON, Nov 29. The. biggest trade union in the world will he created as a result of an overwhelming bnlloL majorities in favour of the Amalgamation of the National Union ofl general werkers, .national amalgamated union of labour and municipal employees’ associations, which cater for mundous categories of less skilled workers. SCRAPPING THE NAVY. LONDON, Nov 29.

In the Commons, At" Eyres Monsell. (Financial Secretary to the Admiralty) replying to Lord Chimin stated that under the AVashmgton Treaty eight British capital shins have already been delivered to ship'-breaking firms, six more rendered incapable ol warlike service, and two more would lie similarly dealt with by 31st December. .Ah’ .Mon,sell added that until all the Powers ratified the Treaty which France and Ilaiy had not yet done., none wept bourn, to dispose of vessels. He disagreed with the suggestion that Britain had scrapped every ship except the Lion, while other nations had done nothing. He thought it right that Britain should give a lead in good-faith and demonstrate her intention to observe the Treaty. He undertook. however, not to deal with further slops until other countries acted. An official nnnouncemen was now made that Britain "ill discontinue scrapping until, France, and Italy ratify the AAashmgton Treaty.

EMPIRE EXHIBITION. LONDON, November 29. Mr McMahon, Chairman of the Empire Exhibition Management Committee, in a letter to Hon. Mr Larkin, Canadian High Commissioner, states that less than £IOO9 was spent on the Baltic timber which was urgently required to complete the Stadium in the contract time.

Mr McMahon also states that Mr Donald’s allegation, that the General Manager had stated it was impossible to get suitable timber within the Empire. was without a shadow of foundation. TOBACCO groaving encouraged LONDON November 29. The Technical Committee of the British Empiie Exhibition passed a resolution that it was of the opinion that the growth of the manufacture of tobacco within the Empire should lie developed and encouraged. The public should he advised to use the same in preference to foreign. |

IMPERIAL TRADE CONFERENCE. LONDON, Nov. 29 Colonel Leslie AA’ilson. the Government's adopted candidate fur Portsmouth, in a speech announced that Mr Bonar Law will, this week, despatch invitations to attend ait Imperial Trade Conference at the New Year. INDIAN SITUATION EASTER. LONDON. Nov. 2!). A cable from Lord Reading to Lord Peel remarks that the Indian political situation is easier owing to the abatement of Mohammedan excitement over the Near East. A significant feature of the recent extremist activities is a Bolshevist tinge in the platform utterances and tin l references being made to Home Rule for, and by, the masses and the scorn [loured upon the Bourgeois and Capitalist Governments of the AAcst. Sympathetic references to Bolshevism had also increased, noticeably in the Indian Press, ft was not considered that the latest effort at rousing the masses would have much effect as the peasantry have been largely disillusioned by the failure of extremists’ past promises.

CAPITAL KHfPS. LONDON, Nov 30. In the Commons, when asked to state the present s: • ngtli of Britain, United Status and Japan in capital ships, Mr Eyres Moused replied that they were twenty-three, twenty-six ond fifteen respectively, of which f. 8. and 5, respectfully wore due to ho scrapped. 1 nited Elates had fifteen capital ships in the course of completion, of which, under the agreement, only two can hi- completed as bnttlesliipjs. Two wore allocated as aircraft carriers. Japan had four capital ships in the course of construction, two ol which were rompletable and two allocated as aircraft carriers. It is understood no further progress is bring made with th-e ships being built in 1 -S. and Japan, which were serappable.

HAIG’S COMMAND. (Received this day at 11.30 a.in.) LONDON, November 30. Within ninety minutes of the publishers office opening, the first edition of “Haig’s Command” was sold out. j PARTS, November 30. ! The “Journal’’ says we inn only regret the publication of » book wherein so much space is devoted to disparaging the part ployed hy hr. me* - ml Marshal I-’och. We do not desire to engage in a controversy which would onlv benefit our enemies, hut as the book stated it is based on Haig’s secret, documents, we wish he would state clearlv and publicly his part in the publication. Lords Y.vpres and .lolli- | cep have already issued books in their j own names. Haig’s character is too | lofty for him to seek to conceal him- ; self behind the authors. ,

A CONFERENCE. j 'Received this dav at. 11.30 n.m ) j PARIS, November 30. 1 The “Petit Parisian” says it is now | certain that Ml* Bonar Law, M. Poin- j caire. Signor Mussolinin, and M. The- ‘ unis will confer in London, to see whether the reparation agreement is possible or if the Brussels Conference . ought to he abandoned . i HOUSE OF LORDS. LONDON November 30. The House of Lords rend a second time the Irish Constitution and conseqiieiitial Bills. EGYPTIAN CRISIS. (Received this dav at 8.30 a.m.) CAIRO, Nov. -9. Sarwat Pasha’s Ministry has resigned, as a result of the hostility of the opposition, who desire the formation of a new Ministry to bring to a head onestions such as the abolition of martial law and Egyptian sovereignty over Soudan. EGYPT’S CABINET. CAIRO, Nov. 30 The Egyptian Ministry resigned apparently owing to a difference with the King over Zaghloulist sympathies. Tenfik Nessim Pasha is expected to form a Cabinet with Zaghloulist support,