MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 September 1923, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. ARRESTS IN PARIS. LONDON, Sept. 10. The “Morning Post’s” Paris correspondent says: As a result of the Fascists being murdered in Paris on September 4, the police, during a house-to-house search in tho Italian quarter, arrested 25 Italians. Nearly all were illegally armed with revolvers, knives, and knuckle-dusters. Two tiro strongly suspected of complicity in tlie murder of Lombardo. Six were imprisoned. The others were provisionally released, pending their expulsion. The prisoners, fearing castor oil and other drastic Fascist punishments, begged not to Ire sent to Italy. They pleaded for deportation to Belgium.

NAVY LAUDED BY LLOYD GEORGE. LONDON, Sept. 10. Mr Lloyd George, in receiving the Freedom of Swansea, declared: “With a full inside knowledge of fact, I say deliberately that but for tlie British Navy, the Allies would have been defeated in the first year of the war. Foeh, though a brilliant general, could not realise the navy’s importance. That is why the French coukl not over lie a maratime nation. Britain is the only country in Europe, except Scandinavia, possessing a sea sense. The Allies did not realise the importance of our navy, but without it, not a single soldier coukl have left England. Only eternal vigilance would prevent a recurrence of events like 1911.”

CONVERSION LOAN UNDERWRITTEN. LONDON, Sept. 11. The Victorian Conversion Loan of nine millions at 5 per cent, has been underwritten. A PREFERENCE ADVOCATE. LONDON, Sept. 10. Mr Shepherd, replying to an article in tlie “Financial Times” alleging that Australia alone, was energetically demanding Imperial preference, and not the other Dominions, says that General Smuts has referred to the tremendous assistance Britain could give the Dominions by extending preference to articles on the borderline between necessaries and luxuries, particularly dried fruits. Mr Massey, speaking at Wellington on August 20, had said preference would work wonders. Mr Shepherd adds that Britain’s summoning of an economic conference lias aroused great expectations in the three southern Dominions. The woollen industry wiis feeling tlie competition of Fraueo-Belgian and other countries whose currencies were depreciated, so severely that, despite Australia’s preference, there is a movement in Bradford to ask the Commonwealth to impose a ten per cent exjiort lax on all merinos consigned outside th© Empire. Although its population was, small. Australia was already Britain’s second best customer, and desired to improve her position.

TRADE WITH EUROIM

LONDON, Sent. 10. Sir J. Jones is sailing by the “Sophocles” for Tasmania on Wednesday. He has visited the principal business centres of Britain, Germany, and France, and examined their methods of business and selling and their requirements, in furtherance of a proposal to arrange for tho control of marketings. As a member of the Australian Meat Council, he exhaustively inquired into lho meat question, and made a proposal, through the High Commissioner, which offers splendid prospects for absorbing all Australia’s surplus meat at satisfactory prices. The details are at present confidential. Meanwhile Sir .T. Jones is asking for quotations from Australia for a thousand tons of frozen beef for immediate shipment. Sir J. Jones also inquired regarding canned fruits, and lie found tlie methods of disposal very unsatisfactory. He will make important suggestions for improved handling. ,

TRAIN DISASTER. MOSCOW, Sept. 11. An express train was derailed at Omsk, and 72 were killed, while 50 were injured. 11H ODESTA AXX EX E 1). CAPETOWN, Sept. 10 Wednesday being the 33rtl anniversary of the hoisting of the British Flag at Salisbury, on that day Rhodesia will be formally annexed to the King’s Dominions, as a 1 preliminary to the proclamation of the new constitution of Rhodesia as a self-governing colony. which takes effect on October 1. Sir Charles Coghlan is the leader of the responsible Government- party. He will be the first Premier of Rhodesia. It is believed Sir Francis Newton will become the Minister of Finance. Sir Drummond Chaplin, the present administrator, intends to settle at Capetown. RUSSIAN HARVEST. MOSCOW, Sept. 10. The Russian harvest is stated to he sufficient to permit exportation. She areadv lias shipped twenty-three thousand tons to Germany and Holland. HOUSE SHORTAGE. MOSCOW, Sept, 10. In view of the acuteness of the housing shortage in Moscow, the erection of new buildings is authorised on the basis of full private property. The area for each house is limited to 1000 square feet.

M. POINCARE’S STAND. PARIS, September 9. Speaking at the inauguration of the war monument at Danivillcrs, Premier Poincare declared that the German resistance in the Ruhr is beginning to collapse. Ho saul that spontaneousK Chancellor Stresemann had now offered France other guarantees than tho Ruin and the railways in the occupied territories. but a bird in the hand "as worth two in the bush, The proposed German guarantees would add nothing to the general mortgage on tlie property of the German States conferred by the Treaty. France preferred the positive sureties which she had in her hand to the theoretic rights. She did not abandon them for general guarantees, which were excellent on paper, but unproductive in practice. “We want realities,” he said. “We shall only leave when we are paid.” Chancellor Stresemann’s proposal, he said, for tlie collaboration of the Franco-German industries, as a preliminary to a settleemnt of the reparations, was putting tho cart before

the horse. It was true that, as Germany ..produced coal, France’s ore would he advantageous to their industries. The two countries would come to an understanding some day. Frenchmen were most interested in these economic conventions. They realised it was their duty, first to allow the French Government to obtain positive results in tho reparations problem. When France saw that Germany was sincerely determined to settle the paramount question of the re-birtli of the devastated regions, and had given something besides promises for France’s security, then France would consider treaties, but Germany must begin, by showing goodwill and must decide generally to make a serious effort to pay her debts. Germany was at the crossroads. If she wished to save herself there was still time; 'hut- if she persisted in her methods, she would bring upon herself a catastrophe for which France would not be responsible

BRITISH v. AMERICANS. LONDON. Sept. 10. Although no challenge has yet been sent to America, the prospect of a match between the British Empire’s and America’s Olympic athletes at London on the week following the Paris Olympiad, is arousing as much interest as the games themselves. The Earl of Cadogau (chairman of the British Olympic Association) sends to Australia and New Zealand the following messages: “It is our earnest wish that Australia and New Zealand shall give tlie Mother Country full support in the proposed match, if it materialises. Mo in Britain, will do all in our power to facilitate your taking part. Further, I express, on behalf of many athletes in this country, tho wish that Australia and New Zealand shall come with a strong force to the games. AVe will respond in any way you may call upon its for our help.” Lord Cadogau says they have raised £30,000 by public subscription, and there would he no difficulty in raising tlie balance of £IO,OOO privately for ensuring adequate British representation at Paris.

TUTANKHAMEN’S TOMB. LONDON. Sept. 11. Dr Howard Carter, lecturing before the Royal Geographical Society, said tlu‘ task of dealing with the inner chambers of Tutankhamen’s tomb would probably occupy two or three years before the body was revealed. Tlie coming winter would lie devoted to dismantling the great shrines within the sepulchre, under which the body lies. NEAY AUSTRALIAN RATES. MELBOURNE. Sept. 11. The Arbitration Court lms fixed the rates of pay monthly for tho masters of seagoing vessels, and not carrying passengers as follows: —Between two and three thousand tons, £42 15s fid; between 3000 and 4000 tons. £46 10s (id ; between 4000 and 6000 tons £49 <s (id: between (5000 and 8000 tons. £52 12s (id; over 8(XH) tons £5(5 os fid. The pav of chief officers ranges from G 26 15s (id to £29 15s (id; second officers £23 Ms 6d to £25 15s 6(1; and third officers, £2l 15s 6(1 to £23 15s (id; all on the same basis of tonnage. The rates for masters of passenger vessels arc fixed at £44 IDs (id, £SO 0s 6d. £57 Is 6d, £<s4 15s (id. £72 9s 2d on the same tonnages; for over 10,000 tons £Bl 5s Oil. Chief officers range from £27 15s Gd to £32 15s (id; second officers from £24 15s (id to £29 15a Gd. in, I third officers £2l 15s Gd to £26 15s (id. AY ILLS FAILS TO STOP FIGHT. NEW YORK. Sept. 10. Harry Wills lias failed in his efforts to block the Dompsey-Ftrpo contest. The Supreme Court denied Wills’ application for a writ of mandamus, and contended Firpo was entitled to meet Dempsey first.

CANOPUS STRIKES STORM. AUCKLAND, Sept. IL. The collier Canopus arrived this morning, after a stormy five days’ passage from Westport, shipping heavy seas. At noon on Saturday the gale was so severe that the collier anchored in Twilight Bay near Cape Maria. The storm increased in intensity on Sunday, but moderated at midnight. The voyage was completed in fresh breezes and heavy seas.

CHARGED AA’ITH THEFT. CHRISTCHURCH. Sept. 11. A postal official James Carriole McLeilaiid, aged 41, was arrested to-day on a charge of stealing a postal packet, the property of the Postmaster-General. McLclland appeared at the Magistrate’s Court this afternoon, before Air AA’iddowson, S.M. On the application of the police, a remand was granted, with bail of £11);) and two sureties of £SO each.

AY ILL BE DISMISSED. AYESTPOI’T. Sept. 11. The manager of tho Millerton Colliery advised the miners this morning in compliance with the decision of the coalowners. that if the go-slow policy now in vogue .is not discontinued and normal conditions resumed immediately the delinquents would he dismissed.