BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1927, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

[llY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

ABOLISHING LEGISLATIVECOUNCIL. HALIFAX, Feb, 2 “Convinced they are acting on the will of the people my Government is determined to abolish the Legislative Council,” Lieut. Governor Tory stated when he read the speech from the Throne at the opening of the second session of the 38th.. assembly of tlio> Nova Scotia Legislature. A measure* was presented last, session of the Le*\ gislaturc amending the constitution v of the province with a view to the ultimate abolition of Legislative Council and it will be re-introduced.

POWER- FOR BROADCASTING. LONDON, Feb. 2. Tl, e “Daily Express” draws attention to the front page feature article concerning the lamentable absence of powerful British broadcasting stations, givng Dominions news of happenings in the Mother Country. It asks; “Why is it not possible for for instance, to hear the King and Mr, Baldwin speak. Tho much heralded Daventry exhausts its power in Europe. It is absurd to think that Australia’s reaching out into the world are capable of picking up. Russia and Arnevica, while Mother England is silent. It would easily be possible to increase the country’s powers and then relay through Australian stations.” The “Daily Express” devotes an editorial to the subject stating it is had enough to see Australia and Africa over-run l>y American motor oars and pictures. By intensive methods Americans have ' .succeeded in heating us there, hut into! Empire communication is of infinitely \ greater importance, and simply must not fall into foreign hands.

QUEENSLAND’S COVER NOR. LONDON, Feb. 2. Goodwin’s appointment as Governor

of Queensland is officially announced

MARINE PHENOMENON. GREAT AREA OF PUMICE. SUVA, Feh. 2. While enroute from Auckland, the Tofua passed a pumice field about a hundred miles south of Fiji-REAR-ADMIRAL HARPER. V LONDON, Feb. 2. Rear-Admiral John E. I’. Harper, an ex-New Zealander, has retired. Rear-Admiral John Hvirper was born in Cnristehurch in 1874. and educated at Christ’s College. He entered the Navy in ISSB, becoming a lieutenant in 1896, and attained tho rank of Rear-Admiral in 1924. He served in Natal during the South African War, and in the Somali Expedition in 19001901. He commanded the Royal YachtVictoria and Albert in 1911-14, and j was Naval A.D.C. to the King, 192324. He compiled a special report on/ the Battle of Jutland.

SUZANNE’S EARNINGS. PARIS, Feb. 2

“A nasty shock awaits the temperamental Suzanne,” says a French’taxation officer, “a.s she comes under the law subjecting French citizens to income tax wherever their .( salary is earned. Her earnings, amounting to twenty thousand sterling, ijf America, will bo taxed £8,400 in France. She has already paid £2,500 tax in America.” ‘ y

MERRETT TRIAL. LONDON. Feb. 3

At the trial at Edinburg of John Merrett, the New Zealander, on tli* charge of shooting Ins mother, Doctor Holcomlie gave evidence that the deceased, All's ATerrett, after her admission to the infirmary said: “I was sit-\ ting writing letters. John was standing beside me.” I said: ‘Go away! Do not annoy me!” Next I heard an explosion. I do not remember any more.”

Dr Holcombe admitted that he did not write her statement down.

Air Aiteheson (defending counsel): “Are we at the mercy of your recollections ten months after the event?” Dr Holcombe: “Yes.” ROBBERIES ON EXPRESS. PARIS, . Feb. 2. As a seauel to a long series of mysterious robberies from the .“Luxury , Express” to Riviera, the police have/ arrested a guard named Gobellot and ‘ an assistant named Moury. The latter had in his possession jewellery worth half a million francs. It is stated' that the accused vdinit that they and an iacconiplice made about ten thousand sterling from their thefts. FRANCE AND GERArAXY. PARIS, Feb. 3. The German Foreign Minister, Herr Stresemann, has addressed a note to tho French Government denying the rumours that the new members of the Genii in Cabinet ha ye disagreed regarding the confirmation of the disarmament and war material settlements.. . On tho contrary, he says, the decision * was sanctioned unanimously. A second noto affirms that the Berlin section of the AVehrwolf Organisation has been dissolved, and that furtheir military activities have been prohibited.

French diplomatic circles are greatly pleased by these unexpected notes, which ‘are regarded as a further proof that the Locarno spirit still prevails in Germany and that a real effort at agreement Is being made by both Berlin and Paris. BRITISH AVIATION COLLISION. MALTA, Feb. 2. A Fairev aeroplane collided with a Flycatcher plane. Both fell into the sea. v -» The Flycatcher sank immediately, and Lieut. J. A r . Afill.s was drowned. A destroyer rescued the three occupants of the Fairev machine. BRITISH AVINE TAX TO GO UP. LONDON, Feb. 3. The Daily Chronicle’s political corresoondent understands that Air Churchill (Chancellor of the Exchequer) in his budget contemplates a considerable increase in the duties on imported foreign wines and thus Empire wines will thereby be given still greater preference tlian at present.

PACIFIC RELATIONS INSTITUTE. HONOLULU. Feb. 2.The Institute of Pacific Relations' announces that Air Rockfellow. Junr. , has donated ten thousand dollars for the expenses of the Institutes Conference in July next. Professor Condliffe. of New Zealand, is arriving short, h- to join the Institute’s permanent ' staff. GREEK POLITICS. ATHENS. Feb. 3. The Greek Parliament by 133 votes to 92 has passed * Bill for the creation of a Senate. A curious fact is that the project is supported by the Republicans and is opposed by the Royalists. STUDY OF EAIPIRE'S LAWS. LONDON, Feb. 2. Lord Birkenhead is appointing a Preliminary Committee under the clmirmanship of Lord Justice Atkin to consider the provision of facilities t in London for the study of the laws of the Empire.