MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1926, Page 4

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.)

ITALY AND ROLMANIA

HOME, Sept. 10. The Premier Signor Mussolini anti j\l. A vere.se ut, (Roumanian Premier) have signed an Italo-Roumanian treaty of friendship. COAL. COMPROMISE PROPOSED. LONDON, Sept. 17. Following on a Cabinet meeting. A.L Baldwin summoned the miners’ officials to a conference at Downing street tomorrow. The Premier will also .see the President of the Mine Owners Association. The “ Morning Post” says: understood that the Cabinet has endorsed the Coal Committee’s endeavo: i to get the disputants to accept the dis tried settlements that will lie ratified by a national agreement.” The “ Daily Telegraph ” says* ”'£he Cabinet’s first aim is an immediate resumption of work while the details < a settlement i.s being worked out.” An official “ Labour Gazette ” shows that the coal dispute is responsible for the loss of 87,000.000 day’s work up to August 31st. TO MAKE DEATH EASIER. LONDON, September 16. “The Lancet,” in an article advocating greater attention to the dying hour and to make death easier and less painful, points out that there has never licen' a systematic investigation as to the events attendent upon dying. It says:—“Though there have been numerous descriptions of the deathbeds of celebrated people, and there is an immense literature devoted to means of postponing death, there has been no scientific investigation of the manner of death as resulting from different diseases, the percentage of those who died in pain, and those passing painlessly, and the difference between deaths of young and old. all these are points needing investigation. With such knowledge, the treatment of patients at the dying hour might fie made more humane- and delicate, until finally physical death would cease to he dreaded since all would know that pain would ho eliminated, and death made easy, gentle and placid. Medical men generally agree that the present dread of death is by no means justified.”

GOODWILL GESTURE. CAPETOWN, September 18

In a farewell message. Premier Hortzog states in order to*contribute towards peace and goodwill, the Government has decided the Flag Bill, when passed by Parliament will not come into operation unless it is ascertained by a referendum of voters if such i.s the will of the people. The Premier makes it clear, however, the choice will he between a Government Flag Rill and no- South African (lag at all, which means the Union .lack will he excluded from the referendum, as the Government virtually banned the Union -lack.' although it. is prepared to accept a Crown.

FTGHTING IN CHINA. PEKING, September 17. The Reds arc reported to have clashed with Weipuff and Smiclmaiifang’s troops without definite results, though a slight Red advance is reported. Ynngsen. pernetrator of the \Yansbien out rage, is reported to have telegraphed to Pekin and that he is prepared to resist a second British naval expedition to the last in self defence. The situation generally is unchanged. Wuchang continues besieged and i.s repeatedly bombed bv the Red planes. Scores of the inhabitants have been killed and the rest are starving, food having been commandeered for the troops. Several fires have broken out in the. city as a result of the sliding. Ce-mmuiiieatiuus are severed. IV;ire negotiations also failed. Conditions a,round Hankow are nanseating. Countless corpses of North erners are floating in the river.

THE GENEVA SEAT. [.OXDON, Sept. 16

The “Times” Dublin < e.rrcspondcnt says:—“The Irish Free State’s defeat at Geneva was not surprising. Apparently .Mr Fit/.rrer.tld was acting on his own responsibility.

Tim Irish •‘Times” commenting on the League's decision said:—“The claim is rejected. .Mr Fitzgerald will have gratticusly invited a. .snub' in the eyes of the world if BriHiiii is forced into -touting for promises to other claimants to vote against the Free State. The blame lies with the inopportune nature of the claim. Nevertheless, howls will be raised against the British treachery. The incident causes misgiving regarding the Free State’s part in the Imperial Conference.”

BRITISH LABOUR PARTY. LONDON. Sept. 17. The agenda for the Labour Party conference at Margate on October 11th shows that the Communist issue, which it has supposed to have killed last year, will arise again, as several branches intend to have to condemn the heresy hunt which resulted in the disaffiliation of several branches for not casting out the Communists. Other motions will demand that when the next Labour Government is formed, the Ministers shall he chosen, not by the Prime Minister, but by the committee of the Executive. It will also ho proposed that ih next Labour Government shall be " under the direction and in control of the National Labour Party.” Another proposal demands that no Freemason shall he eligible fur any < lice in the party, on the ground tiled “ The craft is wholly incompatible with Socialistic aspirations.” GOOD NEWS. LONDON. Sept. 17. At the wool sales there was a good selection of all classes. The opening prices were fully maintained. RADIO RIGHTS. NEW YORK. Sept. Id. Tex Rickard is engaged in a big fight with the leading newspapers regarding the radio rights of the Dcinpsey-Tun-ney light. He has sold the broadcasting privileges just the same as the cinema rights, and he is now engaged in issuing injunctions against the newspapers and telegraph associations, which propose to broadcast the match, blow by blow, tbrough the Eastern States and Canada. READY FOR SERVICE. LONDON, Sept. 17. H.M.S. Renown left Portsmouth today to join the Battle Cruiser Squadron after a refit extending over three years and costing £98.00'.). Extensive alterations have been made as a result of Jutland experiences. She is now second only to the Hood as the most powerful, and most up-to-date battle cruiser afloat. She will participate in Scottish waters and then in the display in connection with the Dominion Premiers visit in October. Thereafter, she returns to Portsmouth to he prepared for the Duke and Duchess of York’s tour.