MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1924, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

[Reuters Telegrams.] TRAM AND BUS MEN OUT LONDON, March 22. Tho tramway and bus strike has begun. The Strike Committee of the Transport "Workers’ Union sat throughout Friday night. Men reported this morning that the stoppage of tho buses and tramways was complete. This is evident in the streets, where only an occasional private bus is seen, despite the close picketing of the private garages.

There is a suggestion that the tramways will endeavour to run a non-un-ionist skeleton service. This, however, is countered by a threat by the electrical trade unions to cut off the power, which would also extinguish the lights of London. Tho tube lines were unusually crowded with city ’workers this morning.

Charabancs were also utilised, but it is understood that tho underground railwnymen are now anxious to join the busmen in their sympathetic action on behalf of the tramwaymen.

A Court of Enquiry into tho strike was opened at the Law Courts this morning.

LONDON PARALYSED. LONDON, March 22. The bus strike practically paralysed the whole of London’s vast network of ■street passenger transport. No fewer than two thousand tramcars and four thousand buses, normally carrying five million daily, are rendered idle. The men showed no enthusiasm, but they unhesitatingly obeyed their leaders’ orders to strike. The only hope of a settlement lies with the official Court of Inquiry into "ages disputes, which opened this morning. graft for contract. LONDON, March 21. How businses in China is facilitated is hei.ig revealed at the King’s Bench Division. The Marconi Wireless Company’s agent in China claimed from the Company 5 per cent, commission on the contracts and attendant loans to the Chinese Government. , Counsel for the defence said during negotiations with the Chinese War Office, the Office and Admiralty officials had to be compensated, these receiving a total of £99,000 sterling. Godfrey Isaacs (of the company) in giving veidonee, said that he did not approve of such payments, and lie was unaware of them until after they were made. Witness said he believed the amount paid was added to the price ot the contracts. BOMBAY -MILL 6TIUKE. DELHI, March ‘2l. The Bombay mill strike situation is improving. About thirty mills have resumed, each with about 500 hands. More are expected to follow. A NTI-U.EP ÜBLICAN DEMON,STB ATJ.ON. TEHERAN, March 21. Ail anti-Republican crowd, headed by Agawemal, entered the Mejliss despite police efforts, and pulled down the Hags and flagstaff's. They beat the Republican speakers. " Tho police were eventually reinforced and restored order. Taduyon put the following proposals to the Mejlis.s for urgent decision, in view of the fact that telegrams are pouring in from the countryside demanding a change of regime, otherwise threatening disturbances. The "first, is a change of regime; second a revision of the constitutional laws according to the new regime. The questions will he discussed next session. GUNBOATS IN CHINA. PEKING, March 21. The American Consul at Canton has been forced to request a British gunboat to protect American lives and property, because the American gunboats are absolutely incapable of manoeuvring against, the bandits, who recently invaded an American Presbyterian Mission at Sheklung, killing one person. There are three American gunboats at Canton, hut they are unable to navigate Yangtse, but n British boat acted promptly, saving the Mis-

The Americans, it is stated, arc disl ressed over reports that Congress wilt not appropriate funds to build six new vessels for the Chinese service, 'there is at present a complement- of eleven gunboats, and they are unable to navigate the South C hinese rivers for many months of the year, although bandits and undisciplined troops are constantly terrorising the neighbouring country side. ANOTHER AIOTOR FATALITY. AUCKLAND, -March 21 A motor accident at Arclihill which resulted in the death of Seymour Elmsley Gordon, occurred at 1 a.m. on Sunday. Gordon, who is a mechanic employed by the Seahrook and Eowkl’s Coy., was driving round a corner when the car capsized, pinning the occupants underneath. Gordon was unconscious when he was extracted but died at the hospital two hours later. Miss Fountain, daughter of Air Dudley Fountain, aged 20, is suffering from general injuries which cannot he described pending an X-ray examination. Air Afelville Hopkins, the third occupant, sustained abrasions which were dressed at the hospital after which lie returned home. SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS. (Received this day at 10 a.m.) CAPETOWN, March 23. The financial crisis in the Provincial Council led to the defeat- of the administration. A proposal to go into committee on the taxation proposals cabled on the 1-ltb. was defeated. The Nationalists resolution to adjourn to afford members an opportunity of consulting their constituents was carried by 23 to 17. The administrator immediately pro-rogued the Council tor a month and there is no supply vote to carry on in the interval. Referring to the position, the Minister for the Interior said they had to face the question whether there were going to be a unitary State or a federation of Staten. The Union constitution clearly said unitary. but the system 'of Provincial Councils was whether unity was for Federal. Something like a new national convention was required to settle the matter.