BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1924, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

LATEST CABLE NEWS

[REOTKItH TeLEORAMS.] THE CEI’IIKE'S .PASSENGERS. LONDON, December 11. An Australian business man abroad the iCephee telegraphs from Ragusa that the vessel was specially and hurriedly fitted out to carry Mid and Southern European migrants to Australia. This evidently is part of a new migratory movement, though the company insists that it agencies have hooked migrants as individuals, and all that has happened is that the stream of Continental migrants is Is-iiig diverted from the United States, and is turning to Australia as the only empty country left. The Company unwittingly included a Bulgur, hut he will he put ashore somewhere in the Mediterranean. as it has since been discovered that ex-enemy subjects may not land in Australia.

The Ccpliee embarked between six and seven hundred .Tugo-Slavs and n few Italians at Ragusa, hut no Czechs hooked. The narrator adds: ‘'The permanent appearance of the fittings aboard the Cephec induced me to make inquiries. I am told that other vessels are similarly equipped, hut they will not leave on the regular run in the future. Instead migrants will he taken to Marseilles. 'l'he first and second class passengers aboard the Ccpliee arc troubled regarding the prospects of quarantine when the ship reaches Australia. Inquiries in London show the only information in Australian circles is that a year ago the Messageries Maritime* Company obtained information from Australia House respecting the conditions under which migrants could he taken to Australia. Nothing seems to he known concerning the issue of passports or if the migrants have been medically examined.

FOOD PRICES. LONDON. Dee. 12. Sir E. Geddos questioned Mr R. .1. Thompson, an officer of the Ministry of Agriculture, who is giving evidence in reference to the Covent Gardens “illegal practice” of paying farmers daily average prices, instead of actual realisation on each parcel of produce. Mr Thompson admitted that, though the Linlithgow report condemned the system. the Ministry of Agriculture had not taken any action, holding that it was for the farmers to do so. Commissioner Hylands suggested the Meat Trust was controlling both the cold storage and the wholesale and retail distribution, and it might rig the market, as these are not required to make an official record of the quantities in storage. Mr Thompson agreed that if such a return were required, ii would he most valuable. ESTHONIAX UNREST. REV AT/. Dee. 10. The Esthoniau Government decided to outlaw all individuals identifying themselves with the platform of the Third International, as the Communist rebels are causing the Government great anxiety, owing to the fears of a Russian invasion.

General Kuro shot many soldier." in Narva for refusing tn obey orders, and has issued a proclamatiwn that lie will not hesitate to shoot one in every ton of the p- ipiilation if Narva does not assume a normal aspect. The Eslhonians have also trapped a large party of Communist rebels, under Russian leadership, and have sent them to Reval for cnurtmartinl. ROUSH RESOURCES. WARSAW. Dee. Kb Roland has agreed to consolidate its war debt of four and a-halt millions owing to Britain on the same terms as the latter obtained in settling her debts to the United States. This agreement does not entail guarantees on State property. It is announced that British limTneinl groups are acquiring important interests among other things, in hanks, and sugar refineries, and in the exploration of the Slate Inrests. British linns are also negotiating with regard to the capitalisation of the nil and textile industries, and the enlist ruction ol railroads in Roland.

ITALIAN ATTITUDE, fltfcceived this day at a.m.) DOME, December 11. During the Senate debate on the Foreign OHice estimates, Mussolini rerel’erring to the debts and reparations said it was neither human or just to grant facilities to Germany and not to the Allies. Ho hinted at the possibility of Italy asking for an increase of the ten per cent allowed her at the Spa Conference on German reparatoius. Regarding the Geneva Protocol he expressed the opinion that it should ho studied very carefully because of its delicate character and the undertaking involved. TRLSII LIQUOR BILL. I.OIDOX. Dec. 11. The Dai I F.ireann has rejected, by a majority of one, the Irish Senate’s amendment to the Liquor Bill, closing hotels on St. Patrick’s Day. SIR T-lARI SINGH’S CASK. LONDON. Dec. 11. “The Daily Herald" says“ According to correspondents who have ju ß t come from India, the reason the f.overnment tried to hide Singh s identity is perfectly dear to anyone familiar with the situation in Kashmir. I ratal' Singh, the ruler, is an aged man. lie has not a high opinion of his nephew, and has been anxious to admit a son who would become heir to his estates and throne. This, the Delhi Government was anxious to prevent, hut it lias found the old Maharajah to he by no means pliable, and it tears he may nominate a sue. essnr of a temper like his own. instead of'tl.e wealthy young oentler.ian who prefers the civilisation of F.itrone to his native hills, and win. would thus he easier to manage ITalah Singh refuses to allow the railway to lie extended to liis capital.” The Indian correspondent of the “Daily Chronicde” says that llari Singh is an enlightened prince, and encourages Kashmir to adopt European ideas of transport, education and sanitation.

FRENCH BANK RATE UR. LONDON, Dee. 12. A Paris message reports that the Bank of France has raised the discount rate to seven per cent. FOREIGN SECRETARY’S MESSAGE. .Received this day at 9.15 a.m.) LONDON. Dec. 11. Reuter’s Rome correspondent says that prior to leaving Rome. Mr Austen Chamberlain (British Foreign Seeretarv) gave a message to Reuter s sper-i-d itirrespoiideiit. saying that he was profound!v moved at his gracious reception hv high personages, and the cordial welcome by Premier Mussolini and his Government, and also the great kindness to him on every hand. IDs svmnalhv with Italy has been strengthened. a lid his respect for the League of Nations and his confidence in its future increased. His conversations with Rimmr Mussolini and M. llerriott had been conducted in the sumt of the league. Tliev attempted no e.uh made solution of the great problems which only time, patience and goodwill could solve, hut- sought to de clop the points of the agreement and remove the difficulties so that the three nations might retain in peace time the close friendship and perfect «»‘leistanding which united them in the war.

BIG LONDON ROBBERY. (Received this day nt 9.25 a.m.) LONDON. Dee. 12. There was one of the most extensile robberies for many years last night. Thieves raided the Post Office m north-west London and carried off practically the whole mail comprising fifteen bags, in two motor vans. The police found four bags nt Rotherthite, empty.