MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1924, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

[by telkgravh—run muss association. LABOUR WOMEN’S CONFERENCE. LONDON, May 13. A thousand women delegates atended tile opening of the National Conference of Labour Women. Resolutions, urging equal franchise with men and pensions for widows, were carried. A sub-i-oinmiitee on birth control reported that in view ol the eoiillicting opinions ol the medical exports the sub-committee was unable to give a recommendation. The Ministry of Health should order information, on birth control methods lie given at public clinics. »

IMPERIAL WIRELESS CHAIN. MARCOXIS AND GOVERNMENT. LONDON, .May 13 . Il is understood that fresh conversations are proceeding between Cabinet and the Marconi Coy in which the Marconi Coy made definite proposals for co-operation between the Government and the Company, either on the Australian principle or a pooling agreement.. It is believed the Company offered the Government the full use of tin- new beam system, whereby on the searchlight principle, the Company claims to be able io transmit Empire wide messages at the greatest speed and the utmost accuracy. Stations established for ibis system will cost approximately lil'ty thousand sterling as compared with half :t million lor the present high power stations. It is contended limt this comparative cheapest will enable all portions of the Empire to erect their own stations whereas the cost ol the higher powered stations might be prohibitive to the lesser administrations. The Mareoitis claim that under the new system Australia. South Africa and India will be in direct communication with Britain, at least for 7 to I” hours daily, enabling the Company to deal efficiently with all commercial traffic likely to offer in futtirc.

CARDINAL LOOUK’S VIEWS. . LONDON, May T.’L The "Belfast Telegraph” says that Cardinal l.ogue stated he had no confidence in Sir James Craig’s proposal for'a settlement by agreement. It is too late to bring forward these pro postils. No settlement of the boundary question by these proposals w lib !, would please all partic- was practically possible.

BRITAIN CENSURED. LONDON. Mav IT

l/i an outspoken speech during a visit to the Birmingham section of the British industries 1-air, Sir Bmiivhier Wroy. Child Commissioner for Southern Rhodesia, expressed astonishment, in view of what bad happened. that the Dominion people intended to vi-it Britain in coniu-i tiou w ith the Empire Exhibition, lie said the Government was prepared to extend the band ol friendship to the Bolsheviks while refusing otioonragotiu'iu and support to the Dominions. D wa.s also further handicapping the British motor indii*trv.

WORLD SHIRRING Ol INFERENCE.

FLAG DISCRIMINATION

LONDON. Mai 13

Sir Allan Anderson, addressing 'lie annual Tnternutiuiml Conference of Ship-owners at which fourteen nations arc represented, including Germany, criticised (lag discrimination as a dangerous contagious disease calculated enormously to swell the expense of international commerce, while shrinking its value to :i shadow of what is needed to maintain the world’s pro war scale. The nations should join in n protest against (lag discrimination us an unwarrantable interference with the freedom of the seas.

Discussing the safety line Sir Allan Anderson milled that a non-sinking ship was a dangerous myth, the contemplation of which would induce false confidence. If the modern ship hit anything harder than water it would sink despite its bulkheads anil load line. He advocated tlj.c carriage of deck cargoes which would increase the safety of life and enable vessels to carry larger cargoes leading to the cheapening of timber.

ST KIEL INnrSTItV I'RpTKI TIOX BILL. DELHI ,May KL . The Raj lias published trie Steel Industry l’roteetion Kill in a Gazette Extraordinary to-day, which states the Bill was •undertaken in pursuance of a policy of discriminating protection to provide for fostering the development of the steel industry hy increasing export duties or granting bounties on certain articles as recommended hy the Taritl' Board. The Bill gives unfettered power to the Government of India to vary the protective duties with a

view to niaintniiiing the effectiveness of protection against fluctuations. The Bill fully carries out the Taritl Board's reeoininendalions. Its publication dispenses with the formality of introduction into the Assembly.

The Bill is expected to meet with the unanimous support of the Assembly without much criticism. ANOTHER LOVE SUICIDE. LONDON. May Kb The ‘‘Daily Express’s" Vienna correspondent says that two unhappy lovers suicided hy cycling side by side into the Danube at Bresshurg. The girl rode up to her waiting ' sweetheart and they embraced, mounted their machines and rode rapidly over the haul; into the water. AEROPLANES FOR THE AIR MINISTRY. LONDON, May lib Three types of aeroplanes will shortly he constructed for the Air Minis-Trans-Empire Service, eventually reaching Australia, a feature whereof will he the mail-carriers dropping bags by parachutes. Another type will carry many tons of urgent goods. Ihe passenger planes will l>e luxuriously appointed.

FRANCO-JAR RELATION'S. VISITORS ENTERTAINED. • TOKYO, May 13.. Premier Kiyoura entertained M. Merlin anil other French visitors and in proposing their health, hoped France and Japan would enter into

closer commercial relations, cementing the bonds between the two countries. M. Merlin replied in similar terms. The newspaper ‘‘Corojit” says: The A agio-Japanese Alliance is now past history, while our relations with the United States anil Russia are assuming a grave aspect. A Franco-Japanese' approvement at sucH a juncture is iighly desirable. , - The “Ashi” says: Franco-Japanese treaty guarantees have done much in connection with the the safeguarding of peace in the Far East. NEW YORK, May IT The New York ‘‘Times” Tokio correspondent says: The official visit of the Fn-ncli Governor-General of Indo-' china is causing considerable speculation in diplomatic circles, and in the Press. It wa.s originally announced that the Governor's mission was chiefly with the, extension of .Tap-j atios." Trade Trcaly to include TrainChina, hut the correspondent is reliably informed it lias another important pur-JMT.-Jf*.