BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1926, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

(Australia & N.Z. Cable Association

COAL CONFERENCE.

LONDON, April V.

The national delegate conference ol miners privately discussed, in London to-day, Iho proposals of tho coal owners arising from the coal report. The executive recommended the rejection of the proposals and a linn stand against district arguments or .reductions of wages and extensions of hours. It also recommended a demand for a national wage agreement, and national minimum, percentage. Tho contereneo did not reach a definite decision and allot her delegate conlhrencn is being called to arrive at a final decision. 'lho executive succeeded in carrying a moderate policy, and avoided fur tho moment a decision which would have the effect of rejecting the mvnors proposals outright, and treatiug a deadlock. It is possible the miners’ leaders will confer with the Government before the meeting of owners. Tho miners executive acting on Ibo advice of the industrial committee for the Trades Union Congress that negotiations should Ik* continued so that the greater points of difference between the parties may be reduced to tbe smallest dimensions, invited tho owners to meet them immediately to continue negotiations. PLANES COLLIDE. LONDON, April 10. Hon low Aerodrome, in Bedfordshire, Ims just been the scene of tbe worst Air force disaster since tbe War. A giant Vickcrs-Vimy plane, piloted by Flying Officer Lacey, who returned from leave to-day. and carrying three mechanics, was engaged in parachute practice. This plane was landing, when an Avro machine, piloted hv Flying Officer Scott, took off. The machines collided at, an altitude,-of a few hundred feet, and both of them plunged to the ground. There they burst into flames.

'The five occupants were all burnt to death.

The Fire Brigade controlled the (lames in thirty minutes, but only the twisted metal remains.

The five bodies were unrecognisable,

STRAUSS OX JAZZ. : LONDON, April 10. 1 “I’m not a nigger, so 7 cannot write jazz.” declared Richard Strauss, tho composer, who has arrived here from Vienna to conduct the orchestra for the screen presentation of bi.s opera “Tho Hose Kavalier” (which created a great sensation when produced first in 1!)Il at Dresden, in Germany). Strauss (who is tho most discussed musician of the day) added: “Whether jazz is better than other music, I will, not say. .Jax/, is beyond my understanding. There will be no saxophone* in 1113' orchestra, if I know it.” Strauss claimed Die right to <hatigci his previous, opinion that barrel organ, music is good enough for the til ms. He now holds that there will be a big, future in tho welding of good music and films. LEGITIMACY CASE. LONDON, April 10. A sequel to tbe famous Russell ease is promised for the next. law term, when Gcoffry Russell, the baby boy on whom the case centred, will apply, through bis guardian, to have Ids claim established as the legitimate sou of Mr Russell, who is tho heir io Lord Amptbili (ox-Govornor of Madras). After two .years’ litigation involving £‘•10.000, the Bussells are still legally man and wife. The child Geoffrey was never a. partner to the action, but it is understood that the coming action is being brought to establish tho baby’s claim, for all time. DUBLIN ARRESTS. LONDON, April 9. Count Plunkett’s house, in Dublin was raided b.v tho Free State Military j and the Count’s sons dark and j Georgy were detained, pending an investigating as to a recent armed as- j sault. LATER. Messrs Jack and George Plunkett [ have been released. t CHINESE COUP. 'PEKING, April 10. \ Sparse news is available regarding a sudden coup detail that has resulted in the resignation of President Ttiaitcliijui, and the release of ex-President 'Lsaokuii. This was the outcome of discontent among tho members of the Kuominchun (otherwise tbe Council of Ministers) with tho position of affairs.

'The coup was carried out by General Luchungliu. acting under the command of AVu Pei Fu, in the greatest- secrecy. The gates were closed lato at night, telephones were cut ,nnd for several hours President Tuiuiehijui’s headquarters wore surrounded. Otherwise there was no sign that important event wore happening. . i . It transires that President Tuancmjui entered the French Legation prior to the coup. Wu Pei Fu acted under the instructions of the Council ol Ministers, who requested him to proceed to Peking to restore the political situation. PRINCE CAROL. RECONCI IJ AT lON EXPECTED. 'Received this day at 8 a.m.) VIENNA, April 11. Prince Carol crossed the Hungarian frontier in the direction of Bucharest to complete tho reconciliation expected. IMPERIAL DEFENCE. A FEASIBLE SCHEME. liteceived this (lay at 8 *.mj LONDON, April in. Already there are indications that a more satisfactory basis ol Imperial Defence will he one of the most outstanding subjects of the Imperial Conference. ft is understood that Sir A\ . Milne’s recent visit to Australia House was connected therewith. Tho question was discussed in detail. Major-General Sykes in the “ Army Quarterly Review” says that Locarno has again shown the weakness of tho Imperial foreign policy and defence. The Locarno hope cannot he realised without a. concerted Imperial mandate in foreign policy and definite steps towards disarmament. The General urges a strong Imperial defence scheme as the soundest policy in British interests as a basis for a reduction of armaments and the best betterment of war. 'I hero must be a systematic and continuous review instead of a spasmodic rcterence to the Dominions. General Sykes suggests the creation of a supreme delcncc staff under the presidency of the Prime Aiiriister. charged with the consolidation and the combination of the three arms of Imperial defence, insuring touch with the Dominions and security with a minimum force at the lowest cost, and ulti- ’ niately taking over the. staff and ad- : miuistrative duties forming the back- - hone of the Defence Council of the 1 Ministry of Defence. i CHINESE ASSASSINATION PLOT. TOKTO, April 11. A report from Dairn discloses a plot i to assassinate Chang-Tsolin, in which - the Soviet agents are involved. r The plotters were discovered imr porting bombs inside clocks. f Chang lias ordered the deportation I of t-lie Soviet Vice-Consul at Mukden a and a number of Soviet propagandists d along the eastern railways. Chines e-Russian friction in Alftns churia is increasing, e GERMAN ADMIRAL DEAD. LONDON, April 11. i- Obituary: —The German admiral, y Martin, who was in command at the Dardanelles during tho Great War,