BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1925, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

LATEST CABLE NEWS

(liiiUTEas Teleukamh.] tariff controversy revived LONDON', February 4. Tiie tariff controversy has been revived by the publication of a Board of Trade announcement, indicating that the Government, instead of introducing a Safeguarding Industries Bill, intends to incorporate the duties required in a Finance Bill, after the Board ol Trade Committee had reported favourably, and the Treasury had concurred. ft is specifically mentioned that food and drink are excluded. r lhe “ Daily Telegraph” regards the jdan as effectively forestalling a wm-A bined attack against the liseal policy. The “ Telegraph ” that Parliamentary control is preserved and there is no excuse for anybody saying the Government intends to create a general tariff. Ihe “ Morning Post ” characterises the proposals as disappointing and inadequate, but they were made to educate the nation towards a better poley. The “Daily ClConiele ” says: “If v.e are not careful, we shall find the Board of Trade armed with powers enabling it to reverse the whole fiscal policy.” The “Daily Express ” says the opposition may accuse the Government of nnconstitutionulism, but Cabinet argues that in the Commons, instead of academic discussions, it will be able to deal with the specific duty proposed. OLDEST SKULL IN WORLD. LONDON, February J. British scientists arc deeply interested in cables received yesterday from South Atricn, announcing that a skull, believed, to be the oldest in the world, and the missing Jink between man and ape. was discovered by Professors Dart and A cting. Sir Arthur Keith said : “I know Dart who is-an Australian anatomist, well, lie is particularly interested in i;

brain. If he found a east of the brain his evidence is well founded. Professor Dart is most capable, and able, therefore lie must be taken seriously.” Professor Elliot Smith said : ‘‘.Professor Dart is unlikely to make a mistake. He was with me when the Rhodesian skull arrived.”

UPROAR IN FRENCH CHAMBER LONDON, February 4.

The “Daily Express” Paris correspondent states the Soeiaist leader, AT. Leon Bliion. made a sensational speech in the Chamber, when lie said his Party opposed the continuance of the military occupation of the Rhine as much a.s they did the occupation of the Ruhr. The Chamber was in a state of uproar when AI. Ilcrriot interposed that lie did not intend to change one word of bis statement that remaining on the Rhine was France’s last guarantee of security. AL Bluon’s speech is considered as 'revealing that a serious split is developing, and is sounding the death knell of the Ilcrriot- Government.

DISASTROUS FIRE. MOSCOW, February 4. Twenty-five persons were killed and fifteen injured by a petroleum gas firo at Baku. The flames shot up to a height of over one hundred feet and the roar thereof was beard miles away. The whole city was aglow but the oil wells were not threatened. FEAR OF JEWS. LONDON. February 4. The " Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says, with reference to the Greek Patriarch: “Apparently tho day has gone when protection of Christian minorities m Turkey was officially regarded as the primary concern of tho British Government and people. It is significant that orthodox Jews aro manifesting considerable sympathy. Evidently fears are entertained tluß ihe Grand Rabbinate may lie similarly fated.”

WHEAT PRODUCTION. LONDON, February 4. The Council of the Associated Chambers of Agriculture adopted, a resolution expressing the opinion that the Government should, without delay, inquire into the economic and strategic importance of wheat production, with a view to announcing the minimum, quantity which should be produced in Britain.

The agricultural policy committee suggested the Government’s grant of a million sterling to assist marketing colonial foodstuffs should he accompanied by proportionate assistance to !i.,iie food producers. PENNY POSTAGE. LONDON. February 3. Regarding penny postage, the Post-master-General added there is a good deal to be said for the r sc.,ration of penny and hall-penny postage. lie was at present in close touch with the. Chancellor of the Kxecheq.ier on this subject.

SOVIET.’ AND PEASANTRY. MOSCOW, February 4. With the purpose of winning over peasants, whose hostility is a serious obstacle in the path of Bolshevism, the .Soviet Government has granted an ami testy to all North Caucasian Cossoeks. formerly attached to the White annus, and also has remitted arrears of taxation and restored the franchise. All Soviet leaders have lately been lending elforts to bring the peasants into the fold.

SKTTLEM ENT REACHED. LONDON. February 4. A settlement has been reached in the Sykes will case. The judge, by consent, pTottomiced against the 1921 will subject to certain, payments, the parties agreeing not to attempt to propound the 1910 will

FRANCE AND VATICAN. PARIS, February 4. On the resumption of the foreign estimates debate the Chamber voted by 317 to 217 in favour of a ijrovision fur a soeeial mission to the Vatican r.i reoreseiit Alsace-Lorraine. The motion was drafted in a special form to overcome tie* hostility of the Socialists.