MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1925, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

IDSTEALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. CATHOLIC REFUGEES EYICTED. LONDON, February 8. Two hundred Catholic refugees who were chased from their homes in Belfast during the anti-Catholic reign of terror three years ago took possession of a block of homes in May _ Street where they have since lived under disgraceful conditions through paying exorbitant rents. Eight families, comprising JO persons, have now been evicted, sixty armed police attending to assist the bailiffs to carry out the evictions.

A MINISTER’S CAPRICE. CAPETOWN, February 8. Mr Tielman Rons, the Nationalist Minister of Justice, has launched a bombshell by releasing about otto thousand short term prisoners. The gaol oflit-itils were taken completely by surprise. The -Minister professes that his object is to give the offenders another chance, but in some quarters it is regarded as a political move. The Press comments on the undesirability of a Minister, who is new to office, emptying the prisons merely tit his own caprice. ETNA ERUPTION FILMED. ROME, February 8. (las masked aviators successfully (timed the eruption of Etna. They also intend filming Stromboli. AFGHAN REBELLION SQUASHED. DELHI, February 8. There was a remarkable scene, reminiscent of similar functions in medieval times at Kabul when the Amir welcomed back the royalist army who was victorious over the Southern rebels. In front of the parade were placed a number of influential prietss who led the rebellion and they were subject to general abuse. The Amir addressed the Zotnoi in extravagant terms of praise and then descended the throne and embraced and kissed each soldier.

Addressing the prisoners the Amir said: “ I pray that those traitors just as they have been put to shame and disgrace in this world will he put to shame and disgrace in the next.’ An Afghan newspaper reporter adds that the latter part of the King’s speech was so impressive that nobody in the audience could ■ vet rain from weeping and on this account the shorthand writer could not take the notes. FOREIGNERS TO RUN SOVIET TRAINS. [“The Times” Service.] LONDON, February 8. The “Times” Riga correspondent says that is is reported that (lie International Sleeping Car Coy has successfully negotiated .with the Soviet Government for non-change railway communication between Riga and \ ladivostock via Moscow, ft is intended to run the first trains in March.

The agreement stipulates that the company's own personnel shall conduct the whole route.

RUSSIAN AUTHORS. LONDON, February 8. "A new Soviet decree allows literary, musical and dramatic authors to retain the copyright of their works for a maximum of twenty-five years aftei their Jir.st appearance, lint the Government reserves the right to compulsorily acquire any desirable work, payment for which will ho officially fixed.

SOCIALISTS’ REMARKABLE BILL. COPENHAGEN. Feb. 8. The Socialist Government lias introduced remarkable provisions in a new bill amending the Criminal Code Act. The hill increases the penalties for fraud, illicit specula!inn. drunkenness and offences against women, children, and animals. The bill abolishes capital punishment and reduces the penalties for crimes against the State while matrimonial infidelity, unnalutal "deuces and illegal operations, cease to be criminal offences. It also provides, under special circumstances exempluui from penalties if a person kills another suffering from an incurable disease at the sufferer's request, or aids and abets suicide under similar circumstances.

XOT MM KO AT .JAPAN. LONDON- Feb. 8. Tn Lis s|leocli i\l Livori.mil. tin; lion Ij. ('. M. S. Ain cry f Colon in ! Seerclii’r.v). referred to Uio Singapore Base, saving : —“At Singapore »v stand on n sen lime tliiii carries nil Lli<* shipping of tLo Far Fast, and *L-;irly. it, is a direct influence on the peaceful security of the Empire Hint, wo slimiltl lie in position to {'iiaial that shipping. Ff we do so our notion is not aimed ;u ~IIV other power: least of all at our old and faithful ally, towards whom today, our goodwill and friendship are as strong as ever they were. Y \ [.ft: OF Till'. BASK. LONDON, Feh. S. The “Dailv Express” naval erilie. commenting on the Singapore Conlerenee to lie held on ’-’lst. Feh.. argues that as. at present, there is no conceivable danger in the Atlantic, it.will lie strategically valuable, either as a station for the Atlantic licet m waters between Hong Kong. Sydney. I nucomalee, or. alternatively, to send them thither on a long training cruise. This would impress Oriental opinion and show the Australian public I H character of the ships lor which docking facilities are required in Australia The expert concludes that the hi tisli Imperial eastern fleet is unquestionably a necessity of the luture, and its formation and success depend on factors with which the Home autho - ties and taxpayers are only pait > • oerned. hut it will ultimately he the joint concern of the various units of the Empire.

SENSATIONAL STATEM ENTS DEPRECATED. LONDON. Feb. 0. Canon Alexander, {.reaching at St. Paul’s deprecated the sensational sta.cments as to the Cathedral, and said that the people were now arouse to a sense that all was not well with M. Paul’s. This was right, but there was no need for panic. A great deal >•> been done to strengthen the Mru<t during the last twelve years. He • dod: ‘Our present advisers, who know facts tell us the building will soon heeoine" dangerous if adequate remedies are not applied, but at present -hue is perfect safety, and all that human skill and science can suggest is wing done to keep the golden cross up-hftwl over the city. '