MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1923, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. ITALIAN PRINCESS H.L. ROME. Sep. 17. Princess Mafalda, the King’s .second daughter, aged twenty-one, is critically ill, and it is feared tier end is near. . A PRINCESS DYING. 1 ROME, Sept, 18. / The Princess Mafalda, daughter of King Emmanuel, has become critically ill. An early evening bulletin states: Princess Mafakla’s condition is extremely grave. A later report stated that she lmd taken a turn for the worse, and developed an alarming temperature. She is believed to be sink- «| ing. Princess Oiovanna’s condition is not serious, and she is recovering. NEW MOTOR FUEL. CAPETOWN, Sept. 17 A South African chemist, named Diamond, lias invented a motor fuel, extracted mainly from maize, which ho is putting on the market at eighteen pence tier gallon. Tests in England are said to tie very satisfactory. MR BRUCE INTERVIEWED. COLOMBO, Sept. 17 Interviewed here Mr Bruce (.Premier of Australia) said the Singapore base would he prominent in the discussions at the coming Imperial Conference. At present the British Navy had no base in all the wide Pacific and Indian Oceans that would afford adequate docking facilities, even in ease of accident, to capital ships. Australia regarded the Singapore base as a vital necessity. Since the Japanese disaster it had been suggested that the building of a base could be postponed. A statement of such a character presupposed that the base was conceived by the Admiralty against Japan. He hoped the British Government and Imperial Conference would disabuse the popular mind of this misconception. The Australian Navy would retain its separate entirety and continue a local establish- tf ment, but Mr Bruce expected to conclude an arrangement that would permit real co-operation in peace time of Australian cruisers with the British fleet.

AN ARAB ATTACK. (Received this day at 8 a.in.) JERUSALEM, Sept. 13. Ail war and Belkn tribesmen, who attacked Abdullah’s camp, were repulsed with heavy losses. R F.BFJ.S DEFEATED. [“The Times” Service.] JERUSALEM, Sept. 18. Abdullah’s troops quelled the revolution in Transjonlnnin. 'J he revolutionists fled after a fierce engagement, leaving 82 dead, including some duels. THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY. LONDON, Sept. 17 A deputation from the Bradford and District: Manufacturers’ Federation waited on the Board of Trade in order to emphasise the serious condition of the wool and textile industry, owing to the competition from foreign countries, with the depreciated exchanges. Mr Ernest Gates '.Yioc President of the Federation) quoted remarkable figures, showing the growth of unemployment in Bradford during the last few mouths, and also the trade union benefit, figures, which apart fsom the Government relief showed a forty per cent increase in the short time payments among tlie spinners and weavers. One combing firm had had to adopt short lime for the first time for forty years. The depression was undoubtedly due to the undercutting by the countries with the depreciated currencies. Tlie foreign fabrics which were thus being imported were unequal to Bradfords in quality, hut nevertheless wero preventing orders going to the British makers. , Sir Sydney Chapman, on behalf of the Board of Trade, pointed out that it would take time to conduct an enquiry under the Safeguarding of Industries Act. Any duty under that Act could only he validated by a motion in the House of Commons. He suggested that the effect of announcing an enquiry would he to flood the market with imported cloth, before a duty could operate.

NEW IMPERIALISM. LONDON, Sept. 18. The “Morning Post.” editorially, says: —“The purpose of the Imperial Conference "ill mainly he economic. It. must resolve itself into an endeavour for the adaption of tho means of business. For that (reason it is hoped that political doctrines "ill he set aside. Tho Dominions, broadly speaking. ask for free access to the British market, which is a reasonable request. and one to the advantage of tho British people. Free access under the existing conditions involves preference. Here is the real issue, which, must he fairly met and settled.” THE COMMERCIAL CORPORATION AFFAIR. IIATRY STICKS TO COY. 'Received this dav at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 18. Thert\ were exciting scenes at tho meeting of the Commercial Corporation (cabled on 10th). Hundreds of shareholders crowded the hall and angrily demanded the balance sheet. Sir Charles Bohliouse said the company had got rid of practically all their liabilities and the prudent course now was voluntary liquidation and a slow realisation of assets.

Hatry, who was received with a storm of hisses-, said that when tho company got into difficulties ho personally took over liabilities amounting to three-quarters of a million and received an indemnity from the company. That indemnity lie now waived on condition that the scheme of voluntary liquidation was accepted. The hissing was turned to cheering when Hatry rcflitimied, saying: “J lost heavily and I stand to lose more heavily and it I retired from tho company before tho trade depression, 1 would have been a rich man, hut thought that it was my duty to remain.” Hatry sat down amid general applause. The voluntary liquidation motion was carried. RECONSTRUCTION WORK. SHANGHAI, Sept. 17 The Japanese Imperial family have donated half a million yen for relief. A Reconstruction Committee has been appointed, the members of which, will rank as Cabinet Ministers. Advices from Tokyo state it is understood Baron Ijoun will be appointed Foreign Minister.

Imperial residences have been assigned to the embassies the legations of which were burned out or seriously damaged.