MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 June 1923, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN' AND N'.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION'. GANGS OF CROOKS. VIENNA, June 21. An international police congress is being arranged tor the autumn, to which all countries are invited to send representatives. It is to consider stops for the safeguarding of the public against the international gangs of cheque forgers, bank and nion.ev counterfeiters and to devise means for facilitating extraditions. In view of a recent great increase in the hands of crooks, the creation of an International Police Bureau will be one of the items for consideration. CHINA’S PROBLEAIS. SHANGHAI, Tune 21. The General Shanghai Chamber of Commerce, representing authoritatively the prim ipal commercial and financial interests, has adopted a resolution op pc nj; any intervention in China. It lias also requested the provincial officials to exercise the utmost care in tl.'e protection ol the life and property of foreigners. The Ciiaml er declared that the Pekin Cabinet’s attempt to function without a President or ft Premier was illegal. Another resolution urges the immediate convocation of a conference to tackle the problems of the hour. Tin- Chinese p.'oss is apprehensive of foreign intervention, and of the possible alienation of the sympathies of the United States and Britain.

A FRENCH SCHEME. PARIS. June 24. The Union des Cultures physiques has devised an ingenious scheme to encourage an increase in the birth-rate. Tt has.held a large sports gathering at Tuilleries Gardens, when members of the various societies for preparing young men for military service, competed. Prizes were awarded on the basis of payment by instalment. I bus one man won 4000 francs, with a promise of a further 4000 francs on his marriage dav. and 1000 apiece on the birth of his first and second children, and 2400 francs when his third child arrives. Many similar awards were made.