BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1926, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

•j [Australian & N.Z. Cable Association. FRANC WEAK. LONDON, April 15. The French franc marked a new lou record, closing very weakly at 111. " VAST FOREST FIRES. TOKIO, April 15. ( j Forest fires which started on April lltii., are now sprawling to all the ’’ hill* around Kobe, including the famoils resort of Rokkosan. More than . a thousand fire, fighters are mobilised, “ two hundred of whom have keen re--0 moved through injuries. :1 THE TIGRIS FLOOD. BAGHDAD, April 15. ~ The Tigris river breach has been re s paired. Baghdad is no longer cons sidcrcd in danger. N.Z. FILMS. s LONDON. April 15. ' Sir James Allen is hroadcitotiug New J Zealand films miming the provincial cinemas. The first group of fifty-four applicants are undertaking tour presentations daily, of twenty minutes each, for three or four days. It is estimated that the attendances during , that period will be one hundred thou- , sand. New Zealand’s expenditure . thereon will he negligible, lieeau.se the • cinemas are not charging for them. When new films arrive, Sir James Allen proposes invading the metropolitan cinemas. COM MO NS S F.N S A TION. LONDON, April 15. There was a recrudescence of uproar in the House of Commons, which culminated in Mr J. H. Thomas announcing ‘his intention to move a vote of censure on the Speaker. The Government put the closure on a Labourite motion, opposing the Government’s proposal to transfer a surplus of £1 .IOOjtMK) from the services insurance fund to the Treasury. In this connection the Opposition displayed much feeling. Mr Thomas heatedly accused the Government of .scandalous behaviour. An excited discussion on points of procedure ensued, after which Air Thomas solemnly stated that be proposed to take, the necessary steps to ask the ■ House to express its opinion of the Speaker's “partial, biassed conduct” Thereat ter the matter temporarily dropped. WRITING “LIFE OF CHRIST.” LONDON, April Uj. The “Morning Post” states: '"‘Lord ' Beaverlirook is writing a life of ' Christ, this news has aroused com- | ment, the majority of the public, for- I getting that Beaverlirook is a son of the Ala.ii.se. J-Jis new line seeks to- 1 explain and illustrate the life of Christ 1 by the aid of up-to-date instances j drawn from living men, and of local , colour glen tied in Palestine.” j BURNS, PHILIP SURPLUS. , SUVA, April 10. c At the annual meeting of the South ■ Sea Company of Burns, Philip and Co ‘ a surplus was announced of £68,831. * A diviend of Is Id per share was do- , dared and £IO,OOO was added to the j reserve and .£'8,831 carried forward, 1 \ THE AORANGI. SUVA, April 1(1. t The Aorangi has arrived here from 1 Auckland, She sails at 8.30 this.evening for Vancouver. 1 AIOTORS ON DESERT. ROME. April 1(1.

•Signor Mussolini has left Tripoli for Rome, the Italian Fleet accompanying

Some of tho episodes of the trip have been most theatrical. The Premier's motor caravan raced over the. Insert for three hours, thus reaching the town of lloms.

Signor Mussolini took the wheel, and lie led the cavalcade. His speed often touched fifty miles an hour.

The guns of the citadel at Homs saluted the Premier on his arrival, the refrain being taken up by the desert drums and the bagpipes of the Arabs, and by the cries of the Dervishes.

Green posters heralded Signor Mussolini as tho new Caesar of Modern Rome.

An Arab Chief presented the Premier with a black charger. When he did so. Signor Mussolini said: “ It is a most acceptable gift. I love the horse, which symbolises force and speed.” Signor Mussolini visited the ruins of Lepus Magnus, prior to a most rapid return to Tripoli. The native tribesmen, everywhere were saluting Signor Mussolini with their arms upraised. ) THE GREEK ARMY. [“Sydney Sun” Cables.] (Received this day at 9.0 a.m.) LONDON, April 16. The “Westminster Gazette’s” diplomatic correspondent reveals that M. Pangalos recently requested the French military mission in Greece to inspect the Greek Army with regard to fitness for war on a big scale. The mission reported that the army was fit so far as training was concerned, hut it was not efficiently equipped. Greece then negotiated in France and elsewhere for rifles, tanks and other equipment on long credit, but could not obtain longer credit than two years. Greece then turned to Italy, who agreed to supply material .giving lour years’ credit. A large number of rifles have already been delivered.

NOVEL ADYT. STUNT. (Received this day at 9.0 a.m.) LONDON, April 17. Arrangements have boon made lor the Australian cricketers attending the reception at Australia House on .Monday to participate in an amusing fruit advertising scheme. They will be lined up and photographed, each munching an Australian apple. Apart from, tho publicity obtained through the photograph appearing in the press the picture will afterwards be distributed among thirty thousand retailers throughout the country with the caption: “An Ausralian Apple a DayTakes tlie Ashes Away.”