BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1926, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS

[Eeuter Telegrams.] EQUAL FRANCHISE WANTED. LONDON, February 1. Pointing out that Britain lags behind the Dominions and other countries as regards equal franchise, a group of prominent women educationalists and others, including Lady Rhondda, AVintringham, ex-Commoner, in a letter urgently appeals to the Government to annihilate, without delay, the existing distinctions between men and women voters. They complain that Mr Baldwin’s 102-1 election pledge has not been fulfilled, adding that in the meantime, five million women are still classed, for the purposes of citizenship. with children, lunatics and criminals. LION TAMER’S MISTAKE. (Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) HER LIN. February 1. Thinking he had simultaneously mesmerised a lion, a crocodile, and a snake, a lion tamer, Tai'hame, bowed to a theatre .audience at Breslatt. when the snake viciously buried its fangs in bis hand. His cries aroused the lion, which attacked Torliamc and ripped his arm, the tamer being seriously injured. ROBBED HAIR JAZZ HRS BARRED. BERLIN, Februar" Bavarian peasants carried a rexolu'■"ii that they do not want bobbed haired tourist iazzors in their Alpine resorts, being determined to duck them at the village pump. The decision has alarmed < 1 '■ and travel bureaus, 'flic officials point out this may seriously jeopardise- t lie tourist trade.

RABBIT SKIN PRICES. NEW YORK, Feb. 3. The auction prices of sixty-two tons of Australasian rabbit skins averaged ton per cent above the prices of last October. The sale ranged as follows; New Zealand furriers’ first winter skins 220 cents per pound, racks DO cents; Australian, first 108 cents, batters, greasy, sixty-five cents. A COLONIAL LOAN. LONDON Feb. 1. The Financial Times says:—“lt is understood that a new Colonial loan is in course of preparation and is likely to appear at an early date.’’ SPORT AND CHRISTIAN PR fNCIPLES. (Received this day at 10.20 a.m.) LONDON, February 4. “ The idea of sporting prizes is pernicious. causing the spirit of commercialism to creep insidiously in,” declared Commander Coots, Superintendent of the Duke of York’s summer camp. Continuing the Commander said :—“ Cricket, football and other games, ns at present conducted in the public schools, do not make a Christian type of character. Athletes to-day aim at record making, not caring whether they will by fair or foul means. It is easier for a Imv to go astray when educated at a hoarding school than when under his parents’ supervision. We should reform sports and make them the training ground for Christian principles.” PITTSBURGH COAL DISASTER. NEW YORK. Feh. 5. A Pittsburgh message states that after the explosion in the coal mine near there on Wednesday l(i miners were unaccounted f r, but. the re*-iue workers have now abandoned hope that any are alive and in order to smother the lire which has been raging for hours thev have sealed oil' the entry where the victims are entombed. Two miners escaped and the bodies ul three have been recovered. Twenty-two men have been trapped and arc believed to be lost in the burning coal mine of the terminal Coal Company at Pittsburg. All are officials and the foreman of the mine who were making an inspection after TOO miners had been called to the surface. Sparks from a head lamp are believed to have ignited the first, of several gas pockets. FOUNDRY EX PLOSION. NEW' YORK. February L A message from New Britain, C onliccticut, states live men are reported dead and nearly forty injured as the result of an explosion which demolished a foundry on Thursday. ASSOCfAT ION FOOTBALL. LONDON, February 4. In the cup replay Millwall heat Bury 2-0.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. (Received this day ft 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 4. In tlic Commons, Mr Baldwin said the Government were communicating with the Dominions and India with a view to fixing the most suitable date for Imperial Conference concerning which he hoped to make an announcement shortly. Asked if the conference would include the Economic Conference simultaneously, Mr Raid win replied, “Obviously.” Mr Ward Milne suggested inviting the Dominions to express an opinion on. the best methods to increase reciprocal trading within the Empire and what measures fo further Imperial preference they consider necessary to effect this desirable improvement of trade and thus assist emigration from Britain wit'liin the Empire, he asked what steps the Government intended to take to put into operation the reeommendations of the Imperial Economic Committee. Mr Baldwin replying, doubted if Mr Milne's suggestion was at present best calculated to advance the development of trade within the Empire. He expressed the opinion that the matter could he more usefully discussed at the Imperial Conference. He pointed out that notice bad already been given of the introduction of a Merchandise Marks Bill, which was one of the recommendations of the Imperial Economic Committee. The Premier hoped to make a statement later regarding the remaining recommendations. SINGAPORE BASE.

(Received this day at 11.25 n.mA LONDON, Fob. 4. Mr Bridgman; speaking at the Constitutional Club, said the Government was perfectly right in continuing tlie construction of Singapore base. Australia was also right in contributing. When the base was completed, it would ensure tbs defence of far eastern waters, and also ensure, economy in naval exenditure. He would be glad to fine! the other dominions contributing to the cost of construction. Britain was also right in builing a. (leet of up-to-date cruisers, in which she had fallen behind foreign nations. Cruisers were essential to defend the enormous expanse of Empire trade on which Britain’s existence depends. Britain was not leading in the race for armaments. It would he a deception to tell the people that Britain could depend on obsolete ships damaged in war-time and unable to compete with foreign ships. If tlw world were totally disarmed it would be different. Efficiency was essential while other navies existed. He denied that the Admiralty consisted of extravagant fighting men. The present programme ensured economy. without undue risks,