BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1926, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

(Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] CA PIT AL PUN I SHALL NT ABOLISHED. LONDON, March 23. The Belgrade correspondent of the “ Times ” states the Government of .1 ugo-Sla via has abolished capital punishment, except under martial law.

LIKE IN RUSSIA DIFFICULT. LONDON, March 23

The Riga correspondent of the

“Times” states life in Leningrad is becoming more difficult. The housing problem is acute, resulting in the revival of compulsory billeting. Unemployment is increasing at the rate of ten thousand per month and is now 83.000. The conditions in other industrial centres arc equally grave.

VICTORIA’S NEW GOVERNOR. LONDON, March 23. The King has approved of the appointment of Lord Somers as Governor of Victoria. ENGINEERS’ BALLOT. LONDON. March 23. The ballot of the Amalgamated Engineering Union resulted: 70.60/5 for and 31,123 against joining the proposed now industrial alliance of miners. railwaymen, and transport workers. The National Union of Railw.uvmen had previously decided not to join.

IN THE COMMONS. MR L1.0Y.1) GEORGE’S COMMENT. LONDON, March 23. Sir A. Chamberlain wore a stern exrcssion on entering the crowded, expectant. Commons. He did not relax in response to Ministerialists cheers. Mr Lloyd George initiated a debate by moving a reduction of the Foreign. Office- vote to call attention to the proceedings at Geneva and the action of the British representative there. He regretted Sir A. Chamberlain had not seen fit to take the floor first, as he did alter Locarno, and explain how Locarno was checked at Geneva, lie declared Locarno powers were responsible for the Geneva failure. Tho peace of the world hung on the action which the Commons took, and directed the Government to take in the Inline. The event at Geneva had undoubtedly antagonised the l ailed Stales to tin* League. Sweden who took :: right courageous course at Geneva represented the public opinion of Britain also, yet the Swcdisn delegate l nden v.as treated as a. stubborn, irrecimcil--iable pro-German though he hud done more to save the League than any other one man.

LONDON, March 23. Mr Lloyd George's motion was re jected by 32/5 to 1315.

WOMEN AND CRICKET. LONDON. March 21

The “Evening Standard,” commenting on many of the clubs’ rclusals to provide facilities for girts to piav cricket, says that it is odd women’s cricket should be thought ridiculous in these leggy days of women’s prowess, as cricket was the first game ever seriously played at a girls’ school, and, further, it was a girl, handicapped by a crinoline, who first invented over-: arm bowling.-

lAI I’Ll! IA I, COXFEI{EX( f

WILL NOT HE DELAYED.

[*‘ The 'l'imes ” Service.]

(Received this day at 11.0 a.m.)

LONDON, March 23

The “ Times’s ” political correspondent says the Government does not intend to delay the Imperial Conference, despite the suggestions that tho Geneva breakdown might necessitate- postponement. On the contrary, the events at Geneva have rendered the conference meeting in the autumn tho more desirable, because, whether the September meeting of the Assembly admits Germany or otherwise, the Assembly’s proceedings can be discussed; moreover, the Dominions’ representatives will have an opportunity of attending both the Assembly and the I mpenai Conference.

THREE SISTERS’ TRAGEDY

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST

LONDON, Alarcli 23

The strangest of evidence was heard at the inquest on Mrs Nixon, aged 80, who was found dead in lier house, which was occupied by three daughters, who were subsequently certified insane.

Neighbours attested to hearing noises, which suggested the daughters were screaming anil quarrelling. A constable gave evidence that one of the daughters declared: “Mother is not dead. God is looking after her.” Another said: “She was never ill. Good took her and told us to leave her alone.”

A doctor expressed the opinion that the woman had probably died in the chair to which the corpse was found fastened’ by a belt. The daughters were firmly convinced that the youngest sister was a prophetess, who had heard God’s voice. The others obeyed her implicitly. Tile youngest girl told him that a bird, whistling in a tree was God’s way of telling her what to

Witness found all three daughters in a completely ecstatic condition. A verdict was returned that there was insufficient evidence to show the cause of her death.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS. LONDON, March 23. The "Daily Chronicle” says: “In the quiet village of Ripple, Kent, is an insignificant grass-covered mound surmounted by a few withered leafless twigs. This sadly neglected spot is no other than the grave ol the Earl of Yprcs (Lord French), the Commander of the Contemptibles.”

The “Chronicle” points out that hundreds visit the churchyard weekly, vet they are unable to find the grave without the aid of the sexton. The paper recalls Earl French’s funeral was attended by great crowds of civilians and military representatives, but now a lew feet of turf sinking at the end is the only indication of the resting place of one of England’s greatest warriors.

CHINESE FIGHTING. PEKIN, March 23

The retreat of Kuaminehuii on all fronts is due. partly, to the shortage of ammunition and supplies, these not having arrived as expected. Additional Kuoniinchun troops have reached Fengti and Fungchow where prolonged rearguard actions are expected. There are considerable Kuoniinchun concentrations on the Hankow Pass, northwest of Peking and Kuominchun is in the Jeolil region, which is north-east of fjekiii, and is falling hack on Narikow. The Nankow region is extremely mountainous, while the Nankow Pass is a long and narrow defile. If Kuoniinchun abandons Pekin and retires thither, it will be extremely difficult to dislodge him, while he will always be in a position to make raids from Nankow against Pekin.

PRICE OF A HEAD. PEKING, March 23. The -Shanghai “Evening News” states the military governor of Shantung lias, offered a million dollars reward for Fengyuchsifui’s head.