BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 June 1925, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

LATEST CABLE NEWS

[“Tire Times” Service.] ((AMBLING IN JUTE. HOW PRICES ARE INFLUENCED. CALCUTTA, June 1. Jute prices are apt to he considerably affected by a system of pure gamblingknown at the “Phiitka” market. Kormorlv prices were largely determined by the Department of Agriculture's forecast of the output, hut, as the result of a retrenchment ot the department, its lerecast is no longer considered so accurate. "Phutka” transactions rott. statute a pure gamble, because no hales of jute pass between seller and buyer. The transactions on the “Phutka” market are so voluminous that ft is believed that prices ruling on tEo “Phutka” market are exercising a tangible influence on genuine transactions where hales change hands. 1 lie ‘‘Phiitka” market is controlled by a few prominent Marwaris, but men in other walks of life, and concerned with jute, are apt to indulge in a flutter. There is no greater and vet more reckless gambler than the Indian. “Phutka means, literally, “cracker fireworks.

ITALY'S CONSTITUTION. LONDON. June Ui. The “ Daily Telegraph’s” Rome correspondent states the report of the Commission on Constitutional Reform which Mussolini appointed six months ago, proposes startling changes in tho composition of Parliament. It is proposed that the State he organised on a general corporative plan, all citizens belonging compulsorily to one, ot three State corporations—Agriculture. Industry or Learned Professions. These national corporations will he divided into subordinate provincial local corporations. the provincial directors electing national delegates. The corporations will he regulated for the lienefit of members on all economic questions and all matters of assistance in insurance, and will have large powers for improving methods ot production. Only half the Chamber will lie directly elected hv constituencies, the other half will consist of delegates from national corporations, which syndicates from inside various ( orpoi-a tions will elect. The directors must prove active on nationalist principles. Socialist principles will not bo granted charters. Tho Executive authority of State will he considerably strengthened. It is not yet decided how the new constitution wilt lie voted or established.

CABLE REDUCTION. (Received this day at 9.25 a.in % LONDON. Juno 17. Air Guinness in the House of Commons said that in view of the congestion on the Imperial cable it was a matter for grave consideration whether. until the cable facilities had been increased, or wireless provided, it w ould he justifiable to adopt the proposed press rate reduction. EXPEDITION SAILS. NEW YORK, .Tune 17. The MacMillan expedition, aboard the Peary, sailed from tho Charlestown Navy yard for Wi si-asset Main, whence it will sail for the north accompanied , fiy the schooner Random on Saturday. SIR E. SASSOON'S ESTATE. LONDON. June 17. Sir Edward Sassoon left, oil which the estate duties amount to £122.000.

SURGEON STRAIGHTENS OWN NECK. 'Received this day at, 9.15 u.m.) LONDON, June 17. The “Central News Agency” eircuhiccs a remarkable story regarding Sir Herbert Barker, the eminent bone-set-ter. who dived overtleeply at Alassio where he.was holidaying and struck his head on the bottom and came up dazed with his neck twisted and immovable. No skilled help was available, so Barker. despite the intense pain, applied the pressure of both hands and straightened his neck with an audible click. THE WEMBLEY FAILURE. LONDON, .Tune 17. The “Daily Despatch” asps: “Wliat’s wrong with Wembley? Everyone agrees that the Exhibition is better and brighter than in 1924; yet there is only half the attendance. Tho excuse in 192-1 was the rain and this year it is the sun : lint tho present heat wave alone does not account for the falling off. Other explanations suggested aro public apathy, the difficulty and cent ill reaching Wembley and the high price of admission. A Dominion official suggests that there are too many replicas of the 1921 exhibits. The Dominion’s exhibits are mainly produce and cereals. while the most interesting and educational are not exciting enough to attract modern Londoners.