BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1924, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND N Z. CAIII.E ASSOCIATION GERMAN .SHIPYARDS FOR SPATN. MADRID. April 30. The Xist Shipbuilding Company has been founded at. Barcelona, under the auspices of Krupps, and is entitled “The Naval Union of the l/cviuit”. The capital is fully Mibscrilied, no shares being olfere- I to tin; public. If the conditions allow, the company will build wiifrships and locomotives, beside.- merchantmen.

THE KUSTOX DISASTER. I.OXDOX. April 30. 'Hie tilth death as a result of the Fusion collision has occurred at the hospital. A signalman named Chalmers giving evidence at the enquiry into the T.uston accident admitted that ho had forgotten he signalled the electric train lo the line whereon the express was standiiiK. His frank avowal evoked a tribute from Mr Pringle, who was conducting the enquiry. Chamfers stated that when he accepted the electrical train on the slow line, lie was fully confident the express was on the fast line. He only realised his mistake when the collision occurred. He had no worries which could make him forget. He could only explain the accident as a peculiar misconception. He did not wish to throw the responsibility or blame on anybody else. Me expressed deep sorrow ;.t in*; the cause of the disaster.

qUKKX ALEXANDRA'S 11 KA I.TH. .'Received this dav at 0.45 a.m.) I.OXDOX, May T. The health of queen Alexandra is causing anxiety. She is unlikely lo take any personal part in the* Alexandra Day street collection on behalf of hospitals. Hitherto queen Alexandra has driven Ihrotigh the principal London streets.

A LIBEL ACTION. LONDON. May 1. A libel action has eoiiimcnced in the King's Bench division. Sir Michael l)'Dwyer (cx-l.icuteimnt Governor of Punjab) suing Sir Sankarin Xair (member of the Council, and Secretary of State for Tudia) in respect to allegations in X'air's hook. “Gandhi and Anarchy.” Nail* denied that the words complained of were defamatory, hut that they were* true- and lair comment. O'Dwyer’s counsel described the allegation that O'Dwyer used terrorism to raise recruits in Punjab dining the wains a black lie. He mentioned that O’Dw.ver who was rosi>oiisiblo for tiling on the mol. at Amaritsa in 1010. was dying and could not tic called as a witness. hut the cx-Viccroy oi India. Lord Chelmsford would he a witness. O’Dwyer in evidence denied lie had over approved of coercion, in recruiting in Punjab. H lieu informed of Dyer's action iic was asked to approve. He at first hesitated, hut eventually consented. whereupon General Deynon sent a mesage to Dyer saying “Tour action is correct. Lieutenant Governin' approves.” The hearing was adjourned.

FRANCK AX'D .JAPAN. TOKYO. May 1. Kranco-.lapanese relations are attracting attention here, in connection with the visit of Mcrlim Governor-Gen-eral of ludo-C'hiim and contemplated discussions on commercial relations in the Far Fast, which it is expected may lie embodied in a new commercial treaty, which Japan has already proposed negotiating.

CAI’E POLITICS. CAPETOWN. .May Ist._ Opening the Labour Campaign in Natal, Air Oc.Mvell and Air Boy dell addressed a crowded meeting at .Durban Town Hall. Cressnell. outlining the Labour programme said ouexercised mining rights must revert to the State. Tie mW<l tlie prohibition of tlio importation of contract labour and application of the land lax to companies which locked on huge tracts of land, and the establishment of a State hank t„ which the Nationalists were pledged. 15,4)1, Cress w ell and Roydell defended the pact with the Nationalists, Iloydcll declaring it would enable the people to safeguard the British c.imection and „t the same time provide an alternative (iovernment.. He said lie did not Maine the Si,mbs (iovernment for iiini,ll mistakes, but because it was not proving true to the big issues in South Africa ami was pandering to financial interests.

A B(>.MB iH TRACK. PARIS. Alav 1. \ mail exploded a bniuh outside a tfooin where Parisian Fascists were holding a' meeting. A young Italian woman was injured. The miscreant escaped. A lIOY-AIAN. f Reutbus Tfi.koiiams.T (Received this day at 10.10 a.mA LONDON. -May .. A Riga correspondent states -h‘ Soviet press lea lures the arrival '■> Moscow, from Yhidivostoek where m was horn, of a hoy not. yet live, win has already reached adult pm, ortm.'.s grown a moustache and lean!, ami h muscles are so developed .hat he ca. easiU vanquM. an on!,nan un„ though his whole behaviour cap,wee corresponding »" " IV ' ’ old child. At birth he was norma. Ilis rapid development began the Hrst. year. Medical M-cc-.il - consider the cause uftUr .. hmunn, is a disordered gland, as were normal.

RUSSIA and Belgium. LONDON. Alay ■ Russo-Belgiait negotiations will oem.ed shortlv for the purpose m uestahlishing normal relations M'lweeii tlio two countries.

SOI TU AKKK’AN HKOUKTS. CAPKTOWN. May 1. M'"', ~f till' lint sh Government s tZ in .. the Imperial (on.erenco preference proposals. /Ha’ a J“ Times” savs the Dominion* may l e driven to make trade outside the Kinplre. which "dl U mutely menu a serums loss to tho markets of HrilWi n.anntactu.c. s. I nless the House of Commons rcvises the decision, the Ihulßet may ensile live in history as the md-^e which dealt a fiir-rcai-lims vital >l*> l„ the commercial unity «l Hie Kn..ire "Onshind." the Hutch Oove.ufiles the step will lead meat oraan. st,it* > ttu 1 to the reconsideration «l sided sVstem of prelerence winch has esi'ted" for the past twenty years. AN KAltl/S KSTATF. LONDON. May 1 Karl Kersey left £l&'.000. IMPOIITANT CONTKUhNCE. LONDON. May lP.russels correspondent savs Hel..ia„ Government circles attach the Neatest importance to the mtervte't AI .heunis and M. Tlymans are ham.m with Mr MacDonald on l'ndiiy in London. An!ih.-r,elttian dip on.at,c nations have always heeu of a most friendsince the occupation of Bu>"Vthat B 1 (jia'n Ministers have entered into rcet contact with members of the British Govermtiepf.