BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1923, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

IUKTKAI.JA.N AND N.Z. CAHJ,I’- ASSOCIATION. ROYAL ENGAGEMENT. LONDON. January 19. The Duke of York had an 1 iitlmsiastie reception in London when attending a dinner given by the Industrial Welfare Society, of which In i- President. Crowds waited in the streets. 'nd cheered tin* Duke on this. Ins lir-t public appearance since the engagenint. Speaking at the buiquet. the Duke refcried to the problems of industrial welfare. lie said that men of all classes were convinced that industry uusl be dealt with in a new spirit. II they are going to get straight the difficulties which troubled the nation, scientific investigations must be applied to social conditions. The Duke said: “On behalf ol my future wife and myself. I thank the many who have showered congratulations and good whites upon us. We are deeply touched by these expressions of goodwill.” Will I'.LESS WANTS. (Received this das at 9.80 a.-n.) LONDON January 19. The Federation of British industries adopted a resolution urging the Go-

vernment to immediately grant facilities for the rapid development of long distance wireless, being strongly of opinion thnt this would best he accomplished by private entei prise. The federation points out the Dominions favoui private enterprise. Wireless experts call attention to the fact that the Post Office’s schemes include the ere tion of only one station, considerably less powerful thru tile Dominions for traffic with the whole Empire. F‘eilities for inuismi-si' u from Britain would thus be totally inadequate. A station would not be sufficiently strong to counter atmospheric difficulties. The wireless industry is prepared to undertake the whole work and provide the large capital necessary, while the post office will In- able to possess stations in emergency. Thus the State would have all advantages and none of the disadvantages of a nationalised service. The federation insists upon an immediate definite decision regarding the future ol wireless in Britain. and points out that other countries have developed wireless facilities iar in advance of Britain, ft would be a disaster if the wireless industry were compelled to go abroad, owing to official inertia.

CABLE OR WIRELESS. LONDON. January 19. There is dissension among Australian members of | lie Pacific ('.aide .Board regarding the advisability of erecting an experimental wireless station at Fiji, in lieu of a duplication of tbe cable from Fiji to Vancouver. o;db*d on Octo 1 cr •V'l 11 1 Sir d .Mien, villi a majority of ibo Beard favours the erection of the station, being of opinion it will be a valuable insurance against complete interruption of the service in the event of the breaking of the cable. Tt' is prl'erablo to duplication or relaying which must bo undertaken sooner or later, besides facilitating the despatch of messages. Sir J. Cook and Mr (oghhtm! strongly opposed the proposal, believing the station would be made permanent, and it was opposed to economy, involving the stationing of a cost Is ■stall' at the Islands and it repetition of messages to Sydney, therein occasioning delay and a substantial increase in costs. Cook and Coghland preferably favour direct wireless with Australia and New Zealand, thus obviating the objections raised. Tbe matter was discussed at the last meeting of the Board, which did not alter the substance id the previous decision and proceeded with the Fiji scheme, which i» purely experimental.

-MEDALS FOR GALLANTRY. (Received this day at 9.30 a.ta.)

in connection with the nl tempt to rescue the seaman gassed in the steamer Tahiti"s hold at San Krancisco. on 2Sth February last, the Ivin <_■; has awarded a silver medal for gallantry, to Donald .McDonald (chief officer), and bronze medals to seamen George Archibald, .lames Lyon, John Norris. Laurence Kauchelles. A gold medal lor foreign services was awarded Cap lain John Kearney of San Francisco Lire Depart .incut, BAVARIAN POLICY. PA I! IS, Jan. II). Von l.orelionl'old (ex-Premier of Ratafia) who man'ied tin American, is going to America to endeavour to con vinee Americans that the Bavarian Nationalists policy is right. SALK OK RIFLKS. (Received this dav at 9.H0 a. nA COPKNiI AOFX, Jan. 19.' Well informed circles state half a uiliion rifles from a large Bolshevik rarehase have been sent to India. T t s also stated that a German eon factor has sol<l rifles to go to Ireland.