MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1924, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z- CABLE ASSOCIATION. BATHURST GAOL I’LOT^ SYDNEY, May 22. The notorious bushranger, Roy Governor wits it ringleader in the plot for tlio escape of prisoners from Bathurst Gaol. For special reasons the authorities allowed him a cell with a wooden floor, and most of the tools required tor the coup were passed into his cell and hidden beneath the iloor. They included an innovation in steel cutting devices invented hy a German prisoner. Roy Governor was to have cut his way out of his cell. He had made a start when he was discovered, lie then told tile whole story, stating that when he had cut his way out, he would have released five of the leaders. A warder would have been waylaid and his re’•olver would have been taken, which would have been used to shoot the sentry. Roy Governor also gave a demonstration of the cutting process.

I.M MIG RATION QUESTION. OTTAWA, May 2d. -Mr Fiank Cahill. .Liberal M.V., made reference in the House of Com-r-soiis to the Duke of Connaught’s remarks with reference to immigration l;> . aimda, in which the Duke stated: “We would like to have in Western (sunula'. 'English. Norwegians, * and Swedish, who made the best immigrants.” Mr Cahill asked the Minister of Immigration, Mr Robb, if he eouhl find some method of informing tlie public men of England that immigration into Canada, was a Canadian question, and one which should he settled by Canada. Mr Robb replied that the Canadian Government v.as seeking to encourage British immigrants, preferential rates having been arranged this summer, and added: - “I might at some time in.onii some Canadians it is the British Government's business to manage the affairs of Britain.”

U.S.A. BUTTER J.MI’ORTS. NEW YORK, -May 20. The Australian Press Association interviewed several of the major dealers nn the New York butter market. These unanimously disapproved of the Senate’s resolution, looking for an increase in the duty on butter to 12 cents per lb. All agreed, that the presi* lit duty of 8 cents per lb is sutliI'jent, and it is suspected the movement is originating among speculators, whose hoarding operations, according tii a Government report, has caused a butter Mil-plus exceeding nine million pound- a fortnight ago. Moreover, one dealer remarked that if tlie Tariff Commi-Mcn increases tlie rate, Australia. can retaliate and deprive the United States of other good business.

EXCHANGE RATE. LONDON. May 21. The conference of the Associated British Chambers of Commerce, after a lengthy debate, negatived a resolution with reference to the exchange rate. The majority of the delegates expressed the opinion that it was ladtor to leave the position to adjust itself than to interfere.