BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1926, Page 2

BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

[Australia &• N.Z. Cable Association.]

A BLUE BOOK. LONDON, June 13. . The report, drawn up in January 1923 by the Committee on the amalgamation of services common to the navy, army and air force, has been issued as a Blue Book. The committee was appointed for the purpose of making definite proposals for amalgamating as far as possible the common services such as intelligence, supply, transport, education, medical officers and chaplains. The report says: “We are of the opinion that the amalgamation of the common services would only be practicable if it formed part of the comprehensive scheme for reorganisation, providing for the establishment of the Ministry to control different forces, ill which the identity of the navy, army and air force would |>o merged. So far as we are awate, such a revolutionary idea as merging - has never been contemplated.” I’lie .s report urges a closer co-operation between the three Departments on all matters of common interest, but generally it declares the amalgamation of services above mentioned is not advisable in the present circumstances.

RUSSIAN GOVEBNMENTS. LONDON, June 12. The “Times’s” Riga correspondent states the Third International declaring the failure of the British coal strike to be a severe blow to the revolutionary movement, ordered workers to continue the maximum financial support for which a compulsory reduction from wages is to he made. It lias also drawn up -a., list of immediate tasks in connection with the strike foi British Communists, including the enlistment of unemployed, the publication of a Communist daily paper, placarding walls with news bulletins and to stimulate Communism in all British industries including shipping and newspapers. The "Pravada” declares Britain’s hlnckheart has already ceased beating and the British Empire is sinking as surely as did the liner Titanic. DRAMATIC COURT SCENE. LONDON, June 14. The “Daily Express’s” Paris correspondent says: “A Belgian spy who betrayed a number of Frenchmen and Belgians to the Germans was recognised dramatically in a Paris court. ‘That is the wretch!’ cried out Georges, :i French Customs Officer, when one Laperre, a Belgian accountant. came into the dock on a charge of swindling.” “He betrayed six of us. I.et mo get at him. I’ll strangle him,” said Georges. The Police prevented Georges.

Laperre, who burst into tears, said: “I confess!-But the Germans promised me my life if I agreed to spy. I had been doing espoinage work for Britain, but .1 was betrayed by a woman spy, and was, sentenced to death.”

The Belgian authorities announced that Paperro was sentenced to ’ death in default in 1921, for denouncing Frenchmen and Belgians, of whom ten were shot.

RIOTS AT PRAGUE. PRAGUE, June 13. Unprecedented scenes marked the application of the closure after a' thirty-hours sitting of the Chamber of Deputies in connection with the Corn Bill. The Communists wrecked the furniture, and fought the police, who used their revolvers in filic streets., Seventy people wore injured, of whom sixty-one were police.

NEW ZEALAND APPLES. LONDON, Juno 13.' The “Daily Mail,” referring to the sales of Australian and New Zealand apples, says Although the Australian and New Zealand fruit season is now at.its height, tile greedy retailers are making profits from eighty to 150 per cent. Thousands of cases of apples arrived in London last week. They are being sold wholesale at from 6s to 10s for a forty pound case, but these same apples are costing the housewives sixpence to tenpence per pound.

One leading agent declared that though these apples are cheaper than ever, the public are not benefiting. There is a real chance of giving a fine fillip to Empire trade, but the retailers prefer big profits and it small turnover, rather than a fair profit on larger sales, thereby the golden opportunity. LEAGUE SPLIT. ROME, June 13. The official Fascist press has seized upon the Spanish-Brazilian attitude to the League of Nations Council at Geneva, as an opportunity for a renewed discussion on the break-up of file League. “Lr Tribuna ” says: “The League of Nations will either go to pieces much sooner than lias been expected, or it will finislh up by bringing about the next world war.”

GREEK BRIGANDS. < ATHENS, June 13. Brigands Attacked a motor ear and carried off :£40,003 lielonging to the National Bank. They killed three gendarmes, a- clerk and two servants. BRITISH POLITICS. LONDON, June 13. On Tuesday, the debate in the House of Commons on the coal situation, the trouble will be discussed from all angles, with a view to a possible .solution. It is expected in political circles that the Cabinet will ask Parliament to icI>eal the Seven Hours Act for a time. This would make it possible for miners to resume work at certain individual collieries after making local bargains on the basis of a longer day, pending a general settlement. The. present law ordains that a longer day than seven hours may not be worked on more than sixty days in the year. The question of a .secret ballot on the coal fields on the continuance of the strike is also under Cabinet discussion. The Bill to repeal the Seven Hours Day is certain to arouse strenuous position.. EX-SULTAN OF TURKEY. { > COFFIN SEIZED BY CREDITORS." ROME, June 13. The “Daily Express’s” San Remo correspondent says.- A rich coffin, containing the remains of the former Turkish Sultan, Fehmed, has -been seized for debt by the undertakers, ,vho refuse to give it up till the charges are paid. Other creditors are also besieging the late Sultan’s villa, which thev demand should he sold.