MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1924, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION SHIRS COLLIDE. LONDON, Feb. 3. The captain of a British ship. William Mitchell reports it collided on Bth. .In Tm ary with the Danish schooner Leif, oil the Norwegian Coast. It ibelieved the Leif sank. One man was saved and landed at Falmouth. ESPIONAGE. BERLIN. Feb. 3. The Suprcni.* Court at Leipzig sentenced a woman to ten years hard labour on a charge of espionage oil liehalf of France, and a German .student accomplice was sentenced to six years. K'ii: THE ARCTIC. OTTAWA. Fob. 3. Tin- Federal Government sent llu* Canadian Arctic explorer. Capt. Bernier. to Britain to take charge of the steamer Franklin oil a cruise in Aretie waters, to establish a number of Canadian outposts oil the northern Islands, thereby anticipating the activities outlied in the programme of the American Shaiiaudo.ih airship expedition.

THE KfXG’S HORKEHOI.D. LONDON. l*'eb.' 3

M inor Ministerial appointments include the following posts in the King’s household :—Tom Griffiths, Secretary : .T. Parkison, Comptroller: J. Davidson. Vice-Chamberlain. Griffiths began life as a half-time tin plate worker, earning I'oiirpenre daily. Parkinson as a half-timer in the mines, and Davidson in a boot factory. The duties of the new appointments are mainly nominal.

THE PHILIPPINE FANATICS. THE WORLD LOPSIDED. MANILA, Feb. 2. Investigations throw a curious light on the revolutionary movement among Hie Colnnini tribesmen m the southern islands. The leaders announced that the world was lopsided, and in danger falling over an in order to forestall this catastrophe an enormous cable was required to pull the globe back into proper position. For this cable immense quantities of hemp was need ed, and their followers freely believing this legend devoted their cl ergies to t lie cultivation of hemp, the hulk of the yield being donated t-> tin* leaders who sold the hemp and pocketed the proceeds. One hundred ('olurunis have surrendered ami the revolt is breaking down.

PL'iROGKAD TO LENINGRAD. HELSINGFORS. Feb. 2 Two advices from Moscow indicate that the alteration of the name ol Rcirograd to Leningrad is being carried out immediately and thoroughly. All Government and municipal offices and other institutions have been ordered to change their stamps and seals within a week and the street signs and notices within two months. The postal and telegraph authoi'itie: have been requested to announce that lliev will not deliver communications addressed to Retrograd after tile expi rat ion ol a period ol grace, the duration w hereof they themselves shall determine.

I! \HBIT SKIN ('OATS

KN'Kii CHANGING FASHION. (“Svdney Sun” Cml>l<-s). LONDON, Fob. 2. The increasing use of rabbit skins is becoming a marked factor in the changing of women’s fashions. Formerly a two thousand guinea seal or cliineliilla coat lasted the wealthy wearer a lifetime, Init now that, fashion compels changes for those claiming to lie smart and in view of the coiuiup; scarcity of most skins, the iur traders are making mere extensive use ol the rabbit skins, which through the development ol skill in dying and dressing enahles it to appear in various forms. Luropenn princesses and other leaded-, ol fashion are wearing rabbit -kin coats, cosling trom tiiirly to fifty guineas, while shop girls are able to pnrclia.se plainer coats Iron) two to live guineas. Dealers predict a greater future for Australasian skins.

Hudson Hay skills are selling in I load Street at a thirty per cent advance and a general rise is expected. This is attributed to Germany’s attempt to recapture the dying and dressing trade, which would result in dearer garments. Six months hence it is proposed to establish a furriers technical college in London to teach the manifold modern processes particularly in the disguising of rabbit skin.

The fur trade is organising an exhibition to be held in London in dune.

ESS A V CONTEST. LONDON, Feb. 1

Thirty-seven prizes totalling two thousand sterling, are being offered to the citizens of the British Umpire for the host answer to the question “How Can Peace and Prosperity he Postered to Great Britain and Europe, through international co-operation.'” The donor is ATr Edward Eilene, a store owner, of Poston, V.S.A. Australasian contributions must reach “13. John Street, Adelphi, London,” by the 26tli June, and must not exceed three thousand words. Tf over two thousand five hundred words, tliev must he accompanied by an introduetory summary of not more than two hundred and fifty words. The plans will he judged, not in literary merit, hut on their inherent soundness and practicability . The plans must have a practicable application liy-ttic first of January U-'d. The first prize will lie £IOOO.

POP SLEIGH COMPETITION. LONDON. Feb. 3

At C’hammounix the Olympic hob sleigh competition resulted in the Swiss team winning in the record Olympic time of S 5 secs. Britain was second. Belgium third, and France fourth. No mishaps.

atm OF SINGAPORE BASF. LONDON. February 3. Mr Hector Bywater, in an article in ilm “Observer" on the Singapore question. states :—‘‘lt. is futile to pretend this scheme is prompted by any motive other than defence against Ja-

por,. Referring to the statement that Japanese opinion regards the base as a proof that Britain distrusts Japan, and regards war as a probable contingency, Mr Bywater points out that the value 0 f Singapore is mainly defensive. He says that it is too distant from Japan to constitute a menace to her coasts. Replying to the criticism that the earthquake has weakened Japan’s navy, thus rendering the project unnecessary.

Mr Bywat-er states:—“None of Japan's national institutions suffered less than the navy. Only two modern ships were damaged, the Amagai and N“ka, which are to he replaced immediately. .Moreover, Japan’s .shipbuilding programme, including eight large cruisers, and 2-1 .submarines lias not been curtailed.”

BRITAIN AND FRANCE. LONDON, Feb. 3

In a letter to M. Roinearo, Mr Bainsay MacDonald says: “Our two countries have gone through such trying times side by side, and have made such sacrifices together in a common cause, that,on coining into office, I address you a personal note, to not only inform you of l lie change, but to send greetings and good wishes. I grieve to lind so many unsettled points causing us trouble and concern, and I assure you that ii will be my daily endeavour io help to settle them to our mutual benefit. You have your public opinion and 1 mine. You have your national microns to conserve and protect, and I mine. Sometimes, firstly, they may conflict, but I am sure that, by strenuous action and goodwill, conflicts can be settled, and policies he devised in tin* pursuit o! who h L ranee and Bri-

tain can renin h in 10-arty co-opera-tinn. We can he frank without being hostile, and defend our countries’ interests without enmity. Thus the Entente will he much more than nominal. ami France and Britain can advace together to establish peace and security of Europe.”

Yl. Roinearo lias replied slating that he is much touched by the kind letter. He says:—“f hope whole-heartedly that your efforts for the welfare of your country will he successful. Ton may he sure that the memory of times ~f common trial and sacrifice, when the bonds uniting your country and mine were knit together, are ever present ill my ni'iid. T deeply regret that several questions important to our two countries have not yet been settled. Like you. f will do my utmost !o solve them by friendly agreement. It "ill he i-o our mutual advantage if we have to take into ac,oinit public opini >n of our respective i-mntrie-- and lo safeguard the national interests. I am confident that, applying each in Ids own sphere, vigorous action and goodwill to the settlement ot ihe problems arising Istween Us. we will solve them in such

a manner as to maintain between I i-ance and Britain the policy of cooperation that is essential to our countries and to the tranquility of the world. My own frankness would be mi less than yours. I show the same I'd vi, ur as you do in the defence ot British interests, you may he sure nothing will over change tim cordiality of my deep-rooted feelings. Tt is impossible that, animated r* we both are by such sentiments we should lad lo make the Entente effective."