BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 December 1922, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

.ÜbTKAUAN ASD ASSOCIATION, BE VAN'S TRIAL. THE SENTENCE. LONDON) December 5. The judge, summing up in the Bevan o ase, said that Bevan gave no explanation of his leaving the country con.dsteiit with a plea of innocence He mid he was asked to go, hut did not ,ay hv Whom. “What is the use of saving he left the countiy because lie was asked to go?” The judge told the jury they must not convict because Devan had left the country, hut it was idle to say that they must shut out from consideration, the fact that he left the country. It "’as not posible to believe a minute was signed by Bevan without his knowing the contents, unless he signed with his eyes shut. The Judge asked: Could there lie any doubt that Bevan was the dominating spirit of the fire company ? Reference was made to windowdressing. There were two sorts .of window dressing, one honest, the other dishonest. He hoped the sample referred to was not an everyday transaction in London. Bevan received the sentence with his normal pleasant expression, and left the Court dignified, and apparently undaunted. The foreman of the iurv added that they thought offences were made possible because other directors failed to do their duty.

THE COMMUNIST M.P. LONDON, Dec. 5. The Labour Party lias refused Mr New-bold’s application to send him a Party Whip. SCENE IN COMMONS. LONDON, Dec.-5. Six men who gained admission to the public lobby of the House of Commons created a scene, by singing the “Red Flag.” The police ejected them. HOUSE OF LORD REFORM. LONDON, Dec. 5. In the House of lairds, laird Marlborough raised the question of reform of the H.ouse of Lords. Lord Haldane said he doubted if the Government were justified in bringing forward any substantial measure for reform without submitting the matter to the country. Taird Cave, on behalf of the Govern . . mont, said that there was no of repealing the Parliament Act, but the powers and "number of the House of Lords must bo dealt with as soon as possible. The Government had no present intention of making proposals - 5 to the House. Lord Birkenhead said the matter was one of extreme urgency, as the day was very likely approaching when a Labour Government would he ill power.