MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 November 1923, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. THE SPIT HE AD REVIEW. MR MASSEY’S OPINION. LONDON. Nov. 4. .Mr Massey, on being interviewed, said that the review at Spithead, most impressed everyone with the fact that Britain was still a great sea power, and gave the overseas visitors an idea of the importance of naval defence winch they wore unlikely to forget. It also gave them something to communicate to their fellow citizens when they return home. JAPANESE MANHOOD SUFFRAGE. TOKIO, Nov. J. To a visitor, one of the most striking things is bow the question of manhood suffrage lias obtruded aC the present time, rivalling the restoration work in the prominence that the press is giving the subject. Though the Government's proposals have not yet been made known, it seems certain that a

Bill will be introduced during the next ordinary session of the Diet, abolishing, absolutely, the present qualifications as to taxpaying capacity and granting the franchise to all male subjects over the age of twenty-live years. In some respects the proposal reflects a revolt against the paternalism that characterised the industrial development of Japan. But. this is only one side of the question. The granting of suffrage is regarded as an astute move on the part of Cabinet to obtain a wide and popular support against the laud-own-ing class which is led by Baron Seivukai ami which lias the biggest following ill the Diet. This class hitherto opposed manhood suffrage.

The leading members of Cabinet believe Japan is ready for wider suffrage', while other enlightened loaders hold the opposite view, claiming that the political consciousness of the lower classes is praetically 11 ndeveloped. It, is expected the Bill will be a compromise between the parties. COUNT HONMARTINJ CASE. ROME, Nov. 4. Tallin Mini, who was found guilty in M.'Ob of murdering his l>rnlher-in law. Count Uomnarlini, and who was relea“Otl from prison, in lf)l!). declared that he is now free to accuse the man whom lie shielded at the trial. He threaten* to lift the curtain of a new drama, which the world thought was ended when he and his friend, Doetoi Nabli, were sentenced to JO years, and Countess Boiiniartint and her lover. Doctor Secehi, to ten years’ imprison men! as accomplices. Tallin states that a vow of secrecy has sealed hilips since 111115, hut he knows the nctua’ murderer, who may lie found in America . Count Honmartini was found dead in his house, at Ilolonga. His murder started a storm of controversy in Europe and America, which raged for twi years. Tallin, when accused, confessed that he had killed Hie Count in self defence, the last-mentioned having attacked Tallin when ho (Tiillin) denounced bis treatment of his sister. The police did not believe his story, and arrested Tallin. The evidence of others showed that the four prisoners had plotted to kill the Count with poisoned darts, but that tlie.v had stabbed him instead.