MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1924, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. BE VAN’S FRAUDS. LONDON, Ifoh. 4. Action against eight of Mionßirectors of tlie City Equitable Insurance Contpanv, arising out of the Bevan frauds, has commenced before Justice Router in the Chancery Court. Eleven King’s Counsels and many juniors are engaged in the ease, which is expected to last for several weeks. The defendants include the Earl of March, Sir Douglas Dawson, and Lord Rihhlesdale. latter, owing to a breakdown in health, is appearing by his guardian. The prosecuting counsel said that the losses amounted to two millions. There was no allegation, but a Director could not escape liability by merely saying “I know nothing about insurance! 1 left everything to Bevan.” The defendants, he said, did not seem to have known how the money was invested at any time. INDIAN UNREST. DELHI. (February 4. The Indian Government has ordered the telease of Dr. Gandhi, the Indian Nationalist leader. AFt til Kashi Kan. the son of the Nawah of Tonic, has been acquitted at Allahabad, cm charges of killing a Sop.,v. and of being a member of an unlawful assembly. The. changes were brought in connection with Hindu and Mohammedan riots at Ajmer, in July

DELHI < February 4

The Government of Bombay, having received advice that Dr. Gandhi s health was such that lie should be removed for a prolonged period of convalescence, decided with the concurrence of the Raj. to remit unconditionally the unexpired portion of his sentence. The decision takes effect immediately.

INDIAN MILLS STRIKE. DELHI, Feb. 4

The Bombay mill hands strike has taken a serious turn. Outbreaks of disturbances are occurring in several localities. The strikers have stoned trams and trains. Armed with sticks, they attacked two motor “ars, seriously wounding a European honorary magistrate and his-native ehoffenr.

RUSSIA AND ITALY. (Received this day at 8 n.m.5 ROME, Feh. 5. Russia has postponed the treaty with Italy. It is believed ihe Russian Government, ill view of the British recognition, desires a modification of the concessions granted to Italy.

THE FOOD PROBLEM. LONDON, February I

The National Council of the Independent Labour Party, of which Mr Rimwuy .MacDonald is a member, has issued an agricultural programme, the main points of which are the national-i-ation of the land, imif the organisation of agriculture as a national servivo on a co-operative basis. The prooramnie significantly advocates the Slate regulation of the purchase, transpottation. and storage of staple toodstntfs. with the object of stabilising prices for several yearn.

BYF,-FLECTION. LONDON, February 4

lit Hon. Arthur Henderson (Secretary ol State for Home Ml airs) will (oiliest the live-election for Burnley, due to the death of Mr Dan Irving (I ahour M.P.)

FROG BESS OF WIRELESSLONDON February 5. e “Daily Express,” reviewing tho

"ireless progress in Britain, n ays.;:— C'vot 12,220 miles of aerial wire hits been erected in the past 12 months. Tliere are now 650,000 official licenses for bicadcast receiving sets, besides in-

numerable sets unlicensed. The entertainment industry has drawn over £IOO, 000 during the past year in fees, copyright. royalties, and salaries for wire-le.-s concerts, totalling 17,500 hours transmission. It is estimated that there arc listoners-in for each license. Therefore, including pirates, over two million people are entertained daily at a cost of half a farthing per head. Tho effect on the trade is shown by the London Directory, wherein the number of firms dealing with apparatus doubles in a year.

OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES'. LONDON, February 5,

Reuter's (hamounix correspondent says the official position of the teams at the end of the Olympic winter games is:—Norway. First, 134} points; Finland, second 70} ; Britain, third, 30; ( idled States, fourth, 29; Sweden. sth, 2il; Austria, Gth., 25; Switzerland, 7th. 24: France Bth. 19}; Canada, 9th., 11; C/colio-Slovakia, 10th.. 8}; Belgium /till, (i; Jtalv 12th. f.

I’ll ENCI l ARMY R EDUCED. PARIS. Feb. 4

The “Daily Mail's” Paris correspondent is rebutting the London newspaper charges regarding French warlike designs and ambitions. Tlie “Daily Mail” correspondent discloses that tho Army- of France consits now of two hundred anil twenty thousand fewer troops than its peace strength in 1014.

The tank- battalions owing to the adaption to newer conditions, have been increased from 31 to 4S sinoo 1920: the squadrons increased from 120 to 132. and the engineer companies increased from IGS to 207; but the artillcrv batteries have been largely decreased.

The French army as a whole since ]920 has been ilereased by one-third. Out ~f a total one hundred and fifty thousand men. there are 123 thousand engaged in duties which the Peace Treaty imposed.

The period of service for French recruits will shortly be reduced to 21

A “ROGUES’ GALLERY.” LONDON. Fob. 4. In addition to closing disreputable night clubs, Scotland Yard is conducting a campaign to prevent the victimisation of the Empire ’ Exhibition visitors. They are compiling a “Rogues’ Gallery,” to which the Continental. American and Australian police a,e contributing information, concerning confidence men. pickpockets, cardsharpers, jewel thieves, and adventurers. with the object of preventing their visiting Britain.

COMMUNISTS IN ESTHONIA. LONDON. Feb. 4. H Advices have been received that hundreds of Communists, including members of Parliament have I Mien arrested in Esthonia. following on the discovery of a plot, directed from Moscow for the overthrow of the Esthonian Government.

CHURCH RE-UNION. LONDON. Fob. 4. The Bishop of Chelmsford in a pastoral letter regarding the reunion of churches, says that he can see no prospect of anything like an approach to re-union between the Anglicans and the Roman Catholic Church, unless the Church of Rome largely changes her mind and attitude. According to rumours from Rome, the Pope received Cardinal Bourne, and there was a prolonged discussion regarding church reunion in Britain.