BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1927, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

(.Australian & N.Z. Cablo Associatiou.}

LONDON, January 20

A vote of confidence in the General ( ountil of Trades Union. Council and censure of the Miners’ Federation was issued privately and debated. There was a lively interlude after Mr Pugh read the report. -Many demanded to know why the Council called out the engineers and shipbuilders and the ■strike was cain.-llod for other unions and they asked why these unions were not included in the general strike order.

Mr I hoiua.s, who had a mixed reception, criticised the miners’ leaders, lie concluded by making a vigorous appeal to support the Council.

THEFT OF PKITIH

LONDON, January 2(1

Detectives are searching for Romney’s picture of an officer, believed to he stolen lor a connoisseur, from the exhibition of the late \Y. A. Coats’ collection at the Royal Society of British Artists at llaymarket. This is the third recent picture theft.

BEAM WIRELESS. LONDON. .January 20.

It will he at least a fortnight before the inauguration of the beam service is possible, firstly because time is likely to he taken for analysing results for the purpose of determining the period when a stabilised service may best he achieved; secondly, because Canadian experiments with alternate wavelengths may point the solution of iliflieulties to Australia. It is no secret that the radio service is .subject to had fading out. sometimes for the best part of twenty-four hours. Experts believe the resort to a longer wave during these times will overcome the fading. The theory is being tried out for a few days. Meanwhile it is interesting to learn that China is throughout the whole day picking up our beam letter than Australia. 'The explanation is that the outgoing waves are seeking the most direct route to travel from London, slightly north of cast, before finally dipping to Australia. While it • obviously is possible to conform to the requirements of a sevenhours day. broken time with an average of one hundred words a minute, experimenters arc now aiming to ensure a certain all hours service even if at a less speed. Tests show signals from, Melbourne reach Loudon in olictwenticth of a second.

PRAISE FOR FASCISM. LONDON. January

“ Fascism has rendered a service to the whole world,” said Ah' Churchill, when interviewed at Hume. “The fear besetting every democratic leader is the likelihood of extremists over-riding him. Italy lias shown a way of lighting subsersives hv rallying the mass of the people wishing to defend the honour and stability of civilised society, providing an antidote for Russian poison. It is absurd to suggest the Italian Government is not popular when it is supported by twenty million Fascists. England has not had to face Leninism in the same deadly form. Fascism will succeed in grappling with Communism and choking out its life by its own methods.” TAKEN ILL. PORT SAID. Jan. 19. Sir‘Xevifio Ilowse, Commonwealth Afinister for Defence, returning from his visit to England landed here and was taken to hospital suffering from pneumonia. His condition is serious. JAPANESE POLITICS. TOKYO, January 20. A vole of lack of confidence was introduced in the Lower House, which was immediately prorogued for three days. A dissolution is expected. Groups in the House of Lords are reported to have framed a resolution demanding that the Government an-

non lice- a more positive policy with regard to China, definitely asserting Japan’s intention to protect the interests of Government nationals, using force if necessary, thus elarilying the position.

The newspapers generally approve ot Shidehnrn’s position, which is interpreted to mean that whatever lorni of Government China adopts, Japan is determined to maintain and defend her own system of Government.

The Asalii Sliimhurn disapproved of the policy of following tho British lead. The paper points out the British Government have voltefaced, thereby upsetting Japan’s economic policy and argues therefrom the correctness of Shiehara’s attitude in demanding the re-opening of the Customs Conference. The “ Asalii ’’ urges the Government to net independently and adopt a. friendly, sympathetic course throughnut the treaty revision negotiations.

PREPARING FOR CHINA. LONDON. January 20. The Megantu is fitting out at Liverpool to take marines to 'China. STEAMER COLLfSTON. LONDON. January 20. The Hororata grounded at North Foreland hut was refloated next tide. She anchored in the Thames where a fog descended. Two steamers struck her and holed her above the water line. BRITISH PLANS. LONDON. Jan. 20. Tn accordance with custom. Sir Austen Chamberlain had a. conference with Mr Ramsay McDonald and Air Lloyd George sepirately, as leaders of the Opposition. and explained to them the position regarding China, especially the precautionary measures which the Government is adopting.

MUSSOLINI DROPS PROSECUTION. ROME, Jan. 20. The- Italian Government decided to drop the prosecution against Aliss Violet Gibson for firing 'at Signor AHissolini on the ground that she was not responsible for her actions. Moreover the authorities are desirous of avoiding the prosecuting of an Englishwoman, who will ho handed over to the eaio of bet* family. MARCONI'S MARRIAGE. ROME, Jan. 20. The congregation of the Sacred Rota lias annulled Signor VTareoiii s marvia go on the ground that the couple ]<ul agreed before the marriage that they could separate whenever they wished. As marriage is regarded as indissoluble by the Roman Catholic Church, such a condition makes marriage null.

It is understood Signor Marconi is engaged to marry Afary, the daughtci of Count Francesco Bezzienli, of the Papnl Guard.

RUSSIAN ELECTIONS. LONDON. January 20

The “ Daily Telegraph ” Riga correspondent states that Russia is in the throes of the elections for the Soviet’s. It is reported that the richer peasants are leading an active campaign against the Communists and that several prominent Communist propagandists have been killed in the Aloscow, Vladimir, and Tam her districts. AUSTRIAN SENSATION. LONDON. Jan. 20. The Daily At til's A'ienna correspondent states that Dr Deutsch. a former Austrian Socialist War Afinistcr. asserts that a complete equipment, including powerful 'artillery for six hundred thousand troops, is stored in concealed depots throughout Hungary and that there is also a modern factory near Hike Balaton producing book and poison gas. The statement has caused a sensation in Austria, because the Socialist accept Dr Deutsch’s view that Hungary is making plans to recover Burgenland, with th§ assistance of Italy.