BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1926, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

(Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] PRISON REFORMS. GAOL BIRDS MORE EDUCATED BUT SOFTER. LONDON, .March 12. The Prisons report shows that there arc 11.<119 inmates in the prisons, this being 2.197 fewer than the previous year. Their maintenance cost L1,034,001). The regime has been transformed through the introduction of more humane treatment, interesting work, helpful training, attractive concerts and lectures, less rigid rules and permitting conversation. Already good results have been obtained. It is noteworthy that the gaolbirds are belter educated than formerly, hut softer and more inclined to whine. The Governor of Dartmoor Prison says (hat nouresthciiia and nervous breakdowns, which were formerly rare, are now fashionable and there arc iroquent requests for aspirin, sleeping draughts and nerve tonics. The Governor of Cardiff Prison says that unemployment is producing a heavy crop of young prisoners. The Governor id Brixton Prison declares the authorities must, sooner or later, in the interests of society, faco the problem ol the segregation of sexual perverts.

WHY A MONARCHIST TWISTED. BERLIN. March 12. Herr Illicit/, Democratic Minister of the Interior, who once was a noted Monarchist, answering challenges ill the Reichstag about his changed policy. said he was once close to the Kaiser. “ but when the Kaiser was demanding that millions should sacrifice their lives in defence of the monarchy ‘he. fled to Holland at the first moment in history when he was called upon to stand for the nionarchial idea, then all ties were severed and the monarchy is dead." LONG DISTANCE RADIO. LONDON. .Man'll lit. The Shannon radio station has succeeded in talking to Mexico City. The input of power to the transmitter at the Shannon station was only fifteen walls, compared with two hundred

thousand watts used by the Rugby station recently while communicating with New York. NEWSPAPERS AND RADIO. LONDON. March 13. The Empire Press Union discussed a cablegram urging the special protection of the interests of the Dominions’ press with reference to wireless broadcasting. especially as to the news for which the cable societies paid large sums. Afr Darbyshire voiced a fear that the news bulletins from Rugby and the Foreign Office wore threatening the interests of the press. The matter was referred to a special committee. In the latter case, it was stated that news belonging to the various affiliations was being “milked " and distributed broadcast.

JAP WARS If TPS FIRED ON. PEKING, March 13. While two of tho four Japanese destroyers from Tangku were attempting to proceed up tile river, they were fired on by the Tabu forts with machine guns and field batteries. Iwo ratings were wounded, also a Japanese military officer who was temporarily aboard, and n Japanese pilot. The destroyers decided to abanon their attempt and they returned to Tangku. At present it is not clear whether they returned the torts’ lire. The Japanese Consul-General at Tientsin is lodging a strong protest. TOKIO, March 13. Commenting on the tiring on the Japanese destroyers, a Japanese Toieign Office spokesman said that the matter was regarded seriously, hut the Government were awaiting further details before deciding what action is to he taken, but it is probable that nothing but a vigorous protest, will be made aslie thought the bring was most likely due to a misunderstanding. WHEN IS A MAN DRUNK? LONDON, March 12. "When is a man drunk?” This is a question that has been responsible for considerable scientific thought, in view of the motor regulations regarding drunkenness. , The Police Surgeon m Sheffield advances a startling criticism ot the day-tests, such as that of smelling the breath, toeing the fine, standing still with the eyes closed, all ot which he claims are unsatisfactory. "There are live signs that considerably iilllueneo me.” be says, "nameh a flushed face, sweating, dilated pupils, congested eves, and rapid pulse. These, however, do not convey certainty Manv a man who is involved in an accident will sober quickly when taken to the police station. The only infallible test appears to he the water test, in connection with which most valuable experiments have been conducted in discovering the quantity ot drink in tho system.” KITCHENER’S END. LONDON, March 12.

A demand that the "Mysterious circumstances” surrounding the death of Lord Kitchener should be cleared up bv the publication of ttie report of the Court of Inquiry, «as signed l,v ”300 people after the screening of "The Tragedy of the H.M.S. Hampshire,” at which there were present all the Ageuts-Gcneral for the Australian States. CANADIAN FRUIT CONSPIRACY. VANCOUVER. March 13.

The jury hearing the Government’s charge of conspiracy against eleven individuals and forty-two produce dealers of Western Canada on Saturday night convicted four individuals and four companies were sentenced to pay a lino of 25,000 dollars each. The other defendants were acquitted in one of the most sensational criminal trials in the history of Canada.

A PATHETIC DINNER. LONDON, March 12. V dinner party perhaps unique throughout the world took place at the Peoples Palace in Mile F.nd Road, when General Booth (lined with 1000 down and outs from homes throughout London. Waitreses as trim and dainty as any in the West End served roast beef, potatoes, vegetables and plum pudding, such as the majority of tho guests had not tasted for years. The party was not: without its pathetic side. Almost every human emotion was exhibited on the faces of the luckless thousand. There were old ruen, who were older still because of their despair, and young men who had forgotten how to smile. The majority realised, for the first time in ■ years, the pleasantness of a meal served with seeinlines.s and decency. Many of the men fumbled awkwardly with Their paper serviettes, and more than one tear was wiped from an eye. After tho first course, there were nnerrv murmurs of conversation, and towards tho end many found occasion for smiles and laughter. EMPIRE RIFLE SHOOTING. LONDON, March 13. Tho National Hi tie Association nniiiouiicds the result ,of the 'Empire Rifle shooting for tho King’s Trophy and the Imperial Challenges Shield:—South Africa won with an average of 7G per lirer, Britain 72, Australia 70. New Zealand was fourth with G 7 and Canada 03. 'Flics Royal Australian Naval itcservi'j, Hobart, won the Imperial Shield. India, won the Junior Imperial Shield, Western Canada tho College Cadets Corps. Calgary tho Karl of Jellicoe’s sword and Beaumont IlotisO Heronsgate, Hertfordshire, the Earl Haig’s sword. ,

SUCCESSFUL AIRMAN. LONDON, March it. Cobham was escorted to the landing place hv a fleet of planes and greeted by a huge and enthusiastic crowd. He was carried shoulder high to where his wife was waiting, and subsequently with his wife visited Buckingham Palace where he delivered a message to the King from the Governor-Gen-eral of South Africa. His Majesty congratulated Cobham on the success of the pioneer ilight. Cobham flew 021 miles from Pisa, stopping only at Lyons, lie boat the mail steamer Windsor Castle, which left Capetown the same day, by two days. RUGBY FOOTBALL. LONDON. March 11. At Rugby Northampton heat the London New Zealanders’ Club by -10 to nil. FAILING INFLUENCE. LONDON, March 11. The London “Times” Dublin correspondent says everybody assumes that the Republican Party, as a political, influence, has ceased to exist. E. do Valera will probably return to teaching. He retains the Chancellorship of the National Univcrsftv.