MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 March 1926, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] THE NEW TAXES. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) PARIS, March 27. The Chamber of Finance Committee agreed that new taxation yielding estimated revenue of 1,380,000,000 francs, including a profits tax from the conveyance of real property, an increased tax on the sale of business and doubling the turnover tax on firms whose figures exceed one million francs. It is understood that the Finance Minister M. Peret. is willing to accept a compromise on the proposal to make up the remaining deficit of over onoj milliard of francs by a general turnover tax exclusively confined to wholesalers and middlemen. DISAGREED WITH .MUSSOLINI. ROME, .March 27. Senator Gontarini, tho Foreign Minister, has resigned. It is rumoured that he disagreed with Mussolini’s foreign policy. OWNERS’ GIFT. LONDON, .March 28.

The owner of Jack Horner is presenting the trainer and jockey each with £I,OOO sterling. NEW MOTOR. SHIP. LONDON. March 28. The ” Sunday Express” states Swan Ilunter, of Waliscnd, have secured an order from, the Shaw Seville Company for a 20,000 tonner motor-ship 000 feet long. SPIRITUALISTS AT LAW. LONDON, March 28. The Spiritualists crowded the Cluwicery Court in which Air Justice Eve heard a motion raising the novel point of a copyright of a spirit communication. Miss Cummins, daughter of tin: Court Physician, described as an automatic medium sought to restrain Bligh Bond, a physic- worker of world-wide reputation, from publishing a chronicle of Cleophas. Both claimed the authorship of the script which purported to ho a. continuation of the Acts of 11«?. Apostles. Aliss Cummins claims that she pro duced the. chronicle in a trance while Bond asserts that lii.s hand rested on Alis.s Cummins, tlierefonc the chronicle was the result of his physic co-opera-

tion. Counsel explained the first article was an interesting addition to the story of Ananias Sapphira. Mr Justice Eve asked whether the automatic writing was in English or Creek and he was informed that the chapter concerning Ananias was in Miss Cummins’ hand-writing. The case was adjourned.

CHINESE BOYCOTT. HONC-KONG. March 28. Tine Governor addressing the Chamber of Commerce, announced that the Canton Government was now prepared to appoint three members to negotiate with three Hong-Kong officials for the settlement of the boycott. The Governor has agreed to the proposal and hoped the negotiations would lead to an honourable and lasting settlement. He added that it seemed the sane and commoii.sen.se Cantonese people wore at last debating down Communism and establishing law and order. He regarded tho outlook as more hopeful than at any time since June. RUSSIA ABOLISHES .MONASTERIES. (Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) LONDON. March 23. The Riga, correspondent of the “Times*’ says the ,self-styled Holy Synod of Moscow, representing Hie red branch of the Russian Orthodox Church, defkled. apparently under the Soviet’s instructions, to abolish monasticism, declaring that it had outlived its purpose .and did not reflect modern ideas; therefore, tho monks must repudiate their vows and adopt a useful livelihood. It points out that since 1923 many monasteries have continued obscurely, keeping within the. law by organising as working communities. The Soviet has seized St. Izaaos Cathedral at Leningrad, because of night rowdyism, while the external bronze ornamentations have been stolen, hut it is believed the Soviet itself despoiled tho Cathedral as a pretext for its seizure.

A NEW MESSIAH. LONDON, March 28. According to a Delhi report, certain followers of Aga- Khan, one of the most romantic figures on the English turf, as well as the greatest religious and political force cast of Suez, have proclaimed him as a new Messiah. The newspapers point nut that the enormous spiritual power of this great Moslem who is a. direct descendant of Mohammed and tho acknowledged leader oF seventy million Afohammedans. would have an incalculable effect in India, if the vast millions of low caste Hindus could ho induced to accept him as tho incarnation of Vishn • oiv? of tho supremo Oriental deities.

CROSS COUNTRY RACE. BRUSSELS, March 28. The. International cross-country championship of eight miles resulted : France, Scotland, Ireland, Wales. Belgium. An Englishman, Harper, arrived first taking 44 min. 17 2-ssees. CHINA’S CIVIL WAIL . PEKING, March 2S. The civil war has reached an important stage at Mukden. Generals Linlichlin and Clmng Kong Chang, who only loosely acknowledged Clianglso--1 in.’s authority have recaptured Tientsin from Kuominchuu and are now advancing along the railway to Peking, while Changtsolin’s cavalry are advancing to Poking from the cast and AYupoifu having completely cleared Honan province of Kuominchun forces, is • vaneing on the capital along PekingHankow railway. Meanwhile AYupeitu'.s rear is threatened owing to tho red coup d’etat recently at Changsha. Hankow reports troops from Changtsha are moving against Hochow on the Honan border and that this is regarded as Vupeifu’s headquarters, as a. preliminary to a general red expedition against Hanghow. VATICAN’S DENTAL. ROAIE. March 28. “Observators Romano.” the \ atican organ denies the V atican inspired Brazil’s opposition to Germany’s admission to the League Council. It declares the Vatican has never been asked to join the League and has been careful not to impede the League’s work. GERMAN BUDGET. BERLIN. March 28. The Reichstag read the Budget a third time, including a reduction of the turnover tax to zero decimal seien-tv-five, and repeal of the tax on wines. This is the first time since 1911 t.iat the Budget has passed within the proper time. The Supreme Court especinl]v instituted for the protection of the Republic was abolished.

FKRNCir BRUSH IN SYRIA. BEIRUT, March 28. A convoy of tanks a French column proceeding from Bednava to Niva, encountered a powerful body of rebels and fired on them, killing thirtv,