BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1926, Page 2

BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] SPANISH KING. PARIS, June 28. The newspaper “Figaro,” asked King Alfonso, of Spain, whether Spain was withdrawing from the League of Nations. King Alfonso replied:—-’" "’j “A'ou may be sure, if the present state of feeling regarding the non-permanent members of the League Council remains unchanged, and if we do not obtain legitimate satisfaction, that wo will be unable to take the same interest as wo have hitherto done in the' League of Nations. Meantime, we are appealing for the necessary concilia--tion.”

BRITISH BETTING. LONDON, June 23. Mr A\’. Churchill (Chancellor of the Exeehcquer) replying to a deputation from the Sports Defence Committee, intimated that he was willing to reduce the hotting tax, that that he intended to differentiate between the starting price hacker at home and the course backer. It is understood tnaf Air Churchill proposes a tax of 31 per cent, instead of the present tax of five per cent., believing that three and a-half per cent, would bring in tlie six millions that ho required.

RUSSIAN AFFAIRS. LONDON, June 29. The “Daily Mail’s” Riga, correspondent says: “Saturday was the day- of the Red pickaxe. The police were calling on every family in Moscow, and compelling contributions to the British miners, inaugurating in Russia, a wide campaign, which is expected to yield six hundred thousand sterling. J

THE RED FLEET. LONDON, June 29. “The Times’s” Riga correspondent reports that -AT. Lunacharsky, addressing the Red Fleet, at Kronstadt, said: “Your’s is a glorious mission, celips- 4 ing that of any other fleet, are destined, with the Red -Vj-mv, not only to stem Bourgeois aft ac ks, hut to participate in the battles of . the world We must i„N crease our prompt ions.” 1 BNG INJURE VS ATTITUDE. LONDON, June 29. to Mr Cook’s threat to withdraw the safety men from tho mines. Mr Shirkie (Secretary of tho Federation of Colliery Enginemen) says that his Federation was tired of this threat. Air Coolc knew well that the matter was in. the hands of the Federation of Enginemen, who had decided on their policy prior to the stoppage, and who had now no thought of reconsidering tho arrangements they had made with the Coal Owners’ Associations. MENACE OF LONGER. HOURS. LONDON, June 28. ' In the House of Commons, tile Labourites strongly opposed tliie Eight Hour Bill, alleging that one of the results would be" an increase in the working hours in the coal mines .abroad. Sir John Simon (Liberal) also opposed the Bill. He urged the Government to legislate boldly on the lines of the Royal Commission’s report. The debate was adojurned until to? morrow.