BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS. –

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1926, Page 2

BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS. -

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] MR COOK’S PLAN. LONDON, June 25. A plea for an armistice in the coal dispute M-as made by Mr Cook at Coventry. He suggested that the Government uithdraw the Hours’ Bill and agree to reopen the pits immediately on the April terms. Then an arrangement could be made u-ith the -workmen’s representatives whereby a settlement could immediately be reached u-hicli n-ould give tbe miners justice and secure, finality uithout compulsory arbitration. Let the Government hold out the hand of friendship by making a. definite and clear attempt at a peaceful settlement, then he and liis colleagues would give every assistance provided the miners were guaranteed economic security.

A SMART JOURNEY. LONDON, June 26. The motor ship Port TTobart arrrived at Liverpool from New Zealand after a record passage of 34 days. 'She carries 126,000 cases of apples. FEDERAL LOANS. LONDON, June 26. Financial circles attribute the compartively small subscription to the Commonwealth loan to its high price, making it unattractive except for investment purposes. The general opinion is that if issued at £99 it would probably have been heavily oversubscribed. BANKRUPT ACTOR. LONDON, June 26. “T usually carry two'thousand pounds in cash in my pockets. I suppose it’s rather careless,” said Oscar Aselic, the noted actor, when asked at his creditors’ meeting at Bristol if he was always careless with money. He estimated his assets at twenty thousand sterling. This was . mostly due, said Mr Asdic, in fees from his Australian and American theatrical productions. ROYAL VISIT. Madrid, June 20. Their Majesties, King Alfonso and Queen Victoria, of Spain, linve departed for Paris, on route to England, where King Alfonso will receive anhonorary degree at Oxford University. They had ail enthusiastic send-off.

BAN ON BOBBED IT AIR. ROME, June 26. Bobbed and shingled liiiir will bo banned at the Italian Court functions during the coming season. The Queen possesses luxuriant black hair, and sho is opposed to the modern coiffeurcs. PARTS, .Tune 26. Bared knees ‘.arc barred for women athletes, according to a decision of the French Women's Sporting Federation. A special committee of the Federation, aghast at the abbreviated . “shorts” and the absence of sleeves at a recent sports gathering, lias decided that in future sleeves must relich to one quarter of the length of the arm. and that the shorts shall reach four inches below the knee, which is lower than the average Parisian frock. The shorts must also ho chirk in colour. A POLITICAL MURDER. BAGHDAD. June 25. The wife of the French commander at Palmyra has been murdered. She was motoring between her home and Palmyra, when the car had a puncture. The native escort then shot the chaffeur and the woman, who was found dead. It is reported that a French, camel corps has captured the murderers.

CAILLAUX STARTS. PARIS, June 26. An early indication of the New Finance Minister, M. Cailfaux’s intentions to seek new brooms is given in a draft decree, replacing M. Robineau ns Governor of the Banqne Da France by M. Moreau, who is at present the Director of the Banque d’Algeria,