BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1923, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. KENYA COLONY. GOVERN.WENTAI questions. LONDON, July 21. A White Paper regarding the Government of Kenya Colony, Africa, states: “The British Government is of the opinion that the interests of the African native must be paramount, while the interests of other communities, European. Indian ancl Arab, must also be safeguarded. To grant responsible government to Kenya at the present time is out of the question.”

With regard to the claims ol the Indians domiciled in Kenya, the Government has decided that the interests of all would he best served by the adoption of a communal system of representation on the Legislative Council. Under this system, the Indians would be granted a wide franchise. The existing practice of the preserving of the agricultural land in the highlands by Europeans must be maintained. but all area in the lov.Jands will be reserved in ca-e there is a demand for agricultural lands among the Indians.

BRITLSH AH! FORCE. LONDON, July 21. The Select Committee on the Air Estimates expresses the opinion that while the Hying branch is well managed, there is a great tendency towards extravagance and lack ol proper financial control, or efficient organisation, in the .Ministry itself. As an instance it points out that a group captain and a chaplain, aider eighteen years’ service, are permitted to have two batmen. No information was forthcoming on this point beyond the fact that as the officers advance in rank, there is a certain dignity to be kept up. The Air Marshal (says the report) has three batmen. The commit lee also commented on the entertainment allowance- granted officers. •WIRELESS AGREEMENT. LONDON, July 24. The “Morning Post" editorially hopes that the agreement between the Marconi Company and the Government will be submitted to Parliament for consideration, before being concluded, ami furthermore that tbo views ol the Dominions should lx* made known. The principle of combining State control with private enterprise is probably right, but the details require file most careful consideration.

BRITISH PARLIAMENT. LONDON. July 25. Mr Baldwin, Prime Minister, in the House of Commons, said that lie hoped the House would adjourn oil the second of August fill the 13th of November. STRIKE SCENES. (Received this day at 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, July 25. There were exciting scones at Royal Albert Docks. Thousands of strikers attempted to prevent twenty-live meal, vans from entering the docks. The police were forced back until rcinlorecments were ni.shod up in motor cars and lorries, and succeeded in dispersing the crowds. The vans entered the docks by another route. SECRET TELEPHONE EXCHANGE (Received this day at 11.45 a.m A LONDON, .July 25. The “Daily Mail” Dusseldorf eorresjtondont says a secret telephone exchange connecting business men with Essen and also Berlin, lias been discovered. The operators were arrest on. The town is now tclephonieally isolated.

OVERSEAS VISITORS. (Received this dnv at 11.-15 a.in.) PARTS, July 25. A tlelega tinn of two hundred members of the Overseas Education League from Canada, Ansi ralia, ami New Zealand who visited Paris and the devastated regions lias returned to England.

A BUI.GAR PLOT. SOFIA, July 25

The trial has opened at Plevna of ninety-five persons alleged to be concerned in a Communist rebellion against the new Bulgarian Government This is the first of a. series of similar trials.

EMPIRE THA.DI-:. LONDON, July 25. Professor Hcwins, addressing, a meeting of Parliamentarians on the* development of tin- Fmpirn in relation to the Imperial Conference, insisted that members of the Conference must approach. the problems of Empire trade with absolutely open minds, regardless of past promises or pledges. Empire trade was in a, critical position and could only lie preserved and developed by a hold preferential policy. upon which the Government must he prepared to appeal to the country. The present preference was practically valueless to Dominions like Australia and New Zealand.

THE INDIAN PROBLEM

SOUTH AFRICA’S POSITION

(Received this day at 9.25 a.in.) CAPETOWN. July 25

Tn a speech at Marii/.lmrg, General Smuts outlined the Government s ] oliev on the Asiatic question, and which embraced substantial measure of scgregration He wanted to pass legi: lotion whereby it would he optional P i towns, in the future, to set aside an area for Indians for residence and trade. Future licenses would only he granted in such an area and the Government would have the final say in order to ensure that Indians "ore fairly treated in the matter of locality. He did not see why Mich a policy should he resented by the Indians or why the break up of the Empire should he threatened because of it. There was such a thing as caste in India, some classes refusing to associate "<th others. There was a heavy programme never attempted by any South African Government before, hut they, as a Kuropean community, had a plain duty and asked to be masters ill their o"U house. The Indians had put forward a demand for equal franchise and Mi Sastri was going about eiitieisiug the Empire. He was not- going to follow hi.s example but, regarding the fn.uchise, lie saw no reason wby they should make a difference Isetween Indian.- and natives. If the Indians had the franchise so must the natives.