BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1926, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS

[Australia <fc N.Z. Cable Association

JAPANESE POLITICS. TOKIO. Jan. 22

M. Sbidebara. Foreign Minister, addressing the reconvened Diet, stressed Japan’s liberal attitude towards Chinn and Russia. Referring to relations with the Soviet lie declared that Japan would not seek the exclusive friendship of ally nation, fie found no evidence justifying suspicion of Russia’s attitude in northern Manchuria.

Regarding America's exclusion of the Japanese, M. Sbidebara said no nsdl'ul purposes would be served by discussing it at the present; juncture. His only desire was to make plain that Japanese feeling was deep and their regret remained unchanged. It was not Japan’s policy to send emigrants tn any country which would not welcome them. /Her constant desire was to supply capital and labour to the undeveloped regions of the world : thereby promoting the welfare and prosperity not only of the emigrants and the mother country, hut of the lands where Japanese hud established permanent homes. Replying to a question upon the Cliino-Russian position. M . Shidehara said it was purely a matter between these countries and was unlikely to culminate in hostilities. Japan was vigilantly watching in view of possible development requiring future action. TDK 10, Jan. 22.

In the Lower House, M. Haimiguchi, Minister of Finance, outlined the financial programme, which aimed at fostering a more vigorous economical financial improvement. Under the proposed tariff revision the ad valorem duties will he mainly converted into specific duties. Necessaries would he exempt or subjected to lower duties. It was anticipated that under this revision the revenue would he increased by 71 millions yen the first year to nineteen millions in the third year and afterwards. The figures were prepared bv experts and the recovery of the yen showed the economic conditions wore improving. RAILWAY CRISIS. LONDON, January 21. Trouble lias again arisen in the railway world. To-day’s (•(inference o! branch delegates of the National Union of Railwaymen rejected the award ol the National AA'ages Hoard, which, after considering the companies’ claims for a reduction of wages and the men’s counter claims for increases, issued a report on September 9th last practically maintaining the status quo. It is noteworthy that the men’s leaders. the ex-. Minister. Mr .T. 11. Thomas and Afr Debbie, signed the Board’s report.

Though to-day’s conference is generally regarded as the most critical since the last big strike, it is gathered that the decision merely reflects a movement for a reopening of the negotiations. The delegates are not anxious to commit ihe union to strike action. The decision creates a delicate situation. the award being due to come into operation on February Ist. The conference meets again to-mor-row to consider the next move, though it is believed that no decision regarding strike action will lie taken until th.e union’s Executive has met. The companies endeavoured to reopen negotiations or secure a postponement of the application of the award. EXPROPRIATED GERMAN PROPERTIES (Received this day at 9.30 n.mA LONDON. Jan. 22. The Australian High Commissioner is inviting tenders for the expropriated German properties in New Guinea, the closing date being 31st. March. German tenders arc excluded. It is understood the proceeds will be credited to Germany’s repatriations account.

CANCER AUTHORITY’S DEATH LONDON. .January 22,

Obituary.— Dr Robert Hell, the noted cancer authority. His death recalls the conflict with high authorities on his cancer treatment which led to his siting the British Medical Council in 1912 for an article in their journal, entitled “Cancer, Credulity and Quackery.” He was awarded two thousand damages.

SOVIET’S COMPLAINT. PEKIN. January 22

The Soviet Ambassador, M. Knrnkhan, in a note to the Chinese Foreign Office, complains that Chinese soldiers forcibly occupied the carriages of a mail train about to start for llarhin and then ordered it to leave and took possession of the train. Karnkhan accuses the military authorities of iuteifering with the railway and encouraging acts of violence and urges that this is a violation of the agreements with China.

M. Karnkhan demands that an end he put to the outrages and order restored. thereby avoiding serious consequences which might arise. M. Kara khan adds:—“The Soviet Government holds China responsible for all damage arising out of such outrages.” MUNITION AVORKS EXPLOSION. WARSAAV. .January 22. Forty persons were killed, or seriously injured, hy an explosion in munitions works caused hy the short circuit of nil electric wire. The sparks fell in the explosives room where men and women were employed. The dresses ot thirty women were set afire, and they rushed about terror stricken, resembling living torches. Many jumped fro in the windows, breaking arms and legs. Panic followed in the rest of the building.

"SWINE OF A CHAIRMAN.”

COUNCILLOR'S STRONG

LANGUAGE

(Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, January 22

Extraordinary scenes were witnessed at a meeting of the Greenwich Borough Council where the Labourites are in a minority of one against the Municipal Reformers. Dr Morgan, Labourite, accused Air Thorne, the Mayor, of counting votes inaccurately and said: “ I am going to use deliberately provocative language lo force you to sue me. A oil swine oi chairman, if your photograph were hung up I would smash the glass.” When the Reformers moved an adjournment Dr Morgan threw an ink bottle on the floor, bespattering the clerks and another councillor smashed the water carafe. The public invaded the chamber and supported Dr Morgan till the police intervened when the meeting was disbanded.