MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1926, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] PACIFIC CABLE. LONDON, Feh. 22. Replying to Air P. A. Hurd, Afr Amery (Colonial Secretary) said in the House of Commons that ho had not received an official communication from Canada, concerning the Pacific Cable dispute, hut he hoped there would he it satisfactory settlement. Air Hurd asked: “In view of the enormous importance of having imperial high power wireless, will you urgo the Briti.sh .representatives Hi the Board to ro-operate with Canada in urging that provision for wireless, in preference to the laying of a second cable ?” Air Amery replied: “Tlto.se considerations were reviewed by tine Cablo Board Ixdore it decided to lay the second cable.” TRADE CREDITS. LONDON, Fob. 23. The Holin' 1 of Commons sitting extended until the early hours of the morning, when a resolution was carried approving of an extension of the duration of the Trade Facilities Act, under which trade credits totalling sixty-three million sterling have been given to the end of 1923. The total available trade credits has now been increased to seventy-five millions, but ,IU. Hon R. AlcNeiil, on Behalf of the Government said they hoped soon to lw able to dispense with this unusual le-

gislation. The Labourites strongly advocated the grants of trade?, credit to- Russia, which the Government opposes. DOAIINIONS (STATUS. LEGALLY NOT NATIONS. LONDON. Feb. 22. Brigadier-General John Hartman Aforgan delivered the first of four Rhodes Lectures on the subject of “The Dominions and Foreign Policy” at. the University College. The attendance included tiie Foreign Ambassadors, the Dominion High. Commissioners and the Agents General. The lecturer opened by condemning what he termed much loose talk that was heard after tlie war about the Dominions’ new national status. The phrase, he said, was legitimate enough as a political term, fait it was entirely out o' place itt the sphere ot international law. "Legally,” General Mor-

"an said, ‘‘tin.* Dominions are not nations. Despite all tlie exemptions ot' the Dominions from treaties, tile moment that the Kino; declares war, every British subject throughout the Empire. is at war, though; the Dominions have discretion to declare, what part they will play therein. He commended as being a most practical and valuable suggestion towards an improvement in the Dominion’s position in relation to foregn affairs, the Australian Premier. Mr Bruce’s declaration that he (Bruce) did not desire any now departure in diplomacy of nil Imperial Council, but a gradual development of machinery for consultation. General Morgan strongly advocated the Dominions being represented in London by political Ministers who constantly were, verbally in touch with tho British Cabinet. Mr Amery (Dominion Secretary) prosiilei I. He agreed as to the importance, of colloquial intercourse as suggested l>v the lecturer, lie said that the problems of the Empire could generally he solved at a round-table conference of Ihe Dominions and the British Ministrv. lull he declared that the Eoreigu policy could not wait for occasional meetings or Imperial Conferences. The decisions on foreign policy must bo taken promptly, from day to day. HAM IH'jiff DEMONSTRATION. LONDON. Feb. 23. ‘ The Times’s” Hamburg correspondent reports that a mass demonstration there by the Republican organisation known as the ‘‘Reich’s Banner, which originally was designed, to counteract the Monarch,ist Societies, was attended by a large number of German and Austrian delegates. The speakers urged that the existence of small arti- : fil ial European States constituted a r”* coatinnaiicc of danger similar to that in 101 1. The speakers also declared that speeches like that of Signor Mussolini showed the necessity tor Austro-Ger-man unity. EGYPTIAN POLITICS. LONDON, Feb. 22. The Cairo correspondent: of “The Times” states that King Fuad has issued u decree fixing the Egyptian election, which will finish on the 17th, of May. The new Parliament opens on Mav 27th. Ziwaf Pasha, the Premier states that lie is speeding up the elections. After the speech from the Throne, he will immediately resign, thus enabling King Fuad to choose the heads of a new Government in aenrdance with the results ol the elections. GIRLS ROBBED OF HAIR. LONDON, Feb.. 22. A youth named William AY right, when charged with the cutting ot plaits of hair from two schoolgirls, in the Fast End of London on Saturday afternoon, admitted that he was one of four men. who were doing the same throughout London. He stated they sold the hair to Chinese, getting as . much as to per bundle. AYright was previously sentenced to six months’ imprisonmtnt for the same offence. The Bench has ordered a remand for ' a medical examination.