BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1923, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE A SSC'OATION , AFRICAN POLITICS. CAPETOWN, March Ih In the Assembly, a Nationalist motion urging Government to grant- an amnesty to all persons convicted or awaiting trial in connection with the Hand strike crimes, was supported by-' Mr Hertzog and Air Cresswell. Premier Smuts in repudiating a charge ot vindictiveness, maintained that a complete amnesty at the moment was out of the question. The revelation was engineered bv people not connected with the strike. The loss of life was so appalling that the Government would be guilty of a crime if it wiped everything off tiie slate. It would bo tantamount to madness to accept, the motion. Mercy! A’os. but tampered with justice and devoid of liglit-heavt-edness in face of the terrible deeds committed which should be regarded in the light of possible future happenings. This time it had been the white population. Next time it might bo non-whites. _ I'he Govorninont would have to do its dutj. The motion was negatived by 60 to 44. the voting being purely on party lines. BRITISH POLITICS. LONDON. .March 0. ,h is stated on reliable authority that- y| >lr Bonar Law does not regard election pledges referring to mm-interfereneo with'tho tariff as preluding the Government from materially increasing the preference to the Dominions, even to the extent of completely removing the duties where preference now exists. PC PE’S S ATISFACTION. ROAIE, March 6. The Archbishop of Messina has issued a pastoral declaring the Pope is well pleased with Mussolini, to whom lie conveys his best wishes. HONOR FOR MUSSOLINI. PARIS, Alnrcli 6. The “Matin’s” Rome correspondent states Mussolini will be decorated with the Order Annonciudo before Princess Yolande’s wedding, thereby entitling; him to consulship of the KingEGYPTIAN DEADLOCK. (Received this dav at 8 a.m.j LONDON. March 7. The “Daily Chronicle” says responsible quarters in Cairo have cabled that the martial law policy has proved bankrupt, and the release of Zagloul is probable. , „ CAIRO, March <- There have been three more arrests, including two journalists, whose newspapers were suspended. Politically, a deadlock prevails, Egyptians demamljug the abolition of martial law before, forming a Cabinet. £IO.OOO AWARD. LONDON, March 6. \ Prize Court lias awarded £IO,OOP to Captain Wilfred Ninnn. for naval forces participating sn the capture ot liearlv thirty vessels in Mesopotamia m ] ( )14-15. One of the British vessels ongaged was specially built for the rebel of Gordon at Khartoum. THIRD BY-ELECTION. LONDON, March 7. Mr Hayes (Labour! won the Edgehill seat. Liverpool, defeating Mr Hill (Financial Secretary). Mr Hayes is General-Secretary of the Police and Prison Officers’ Union. He was prominent in the London war time polieo strike . The papers of all shades ol opinion: emphasise the sensation of his victory, following on the other Government defeats. It is the only topic in the lobbies, where the Conservatives do not attempt to conceal their consternation. The details of the voting are: Hayes (Labour) 10,300 Hills (Conservative) 9,2-70 Majority 1.0-70

WIRELESS. LONDON, March 6. Mr Bonnr Law informed Air Hurd, in answer to a <|uestion in the House of Commons that the Government had decided it was necessary in the interests of national security, that there should be a wireless station in Europe able of communicating with the Dominions, wholly operated by the State. Such a station would bo erected as early as possible, and also Is? available commercially. He added that since the Into Government had decided on a State-supported wireless chain, it was now considered unnecessary to longei exclude private enterprise trom participating in Empire wireless communication. Licenses would he granted for the erection of wireless stations in England for the Dominions, Colonies and foreign communication subjfeet to conditions necessary to secure British control. TURKEY’S COUNTER. CONSTANTINOPLE, March 7. The Angora Government disapproving of the Lausanne draft for a treaty is drawing up a definite counter treaty and will hasten a National Assembly discussion, and ask for a vote of pom fidence. BIG STORM IN SAMOA. SUVA, March 7. A storm is raging at Apia. Telephone communication between the _ wireless station and the observatory is not m action. There are no further details.