BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1927, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

[by TELEGRAPH—PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DISTINGUISHED BANKRUPT. LONDON, Alareh 4. When tho case of Lord Terrington (cabled on lltli February’) was mentioned in tbe Bankruptcy Court, Lord Terrington’s counsel ridiculed the reports of bis disappearance from Carlo as untrue. Tlic official receiver * said additional medical evidence affirmed that Terrington was now in a fit state to travel. The case was adjourned pending his arrival in England, after which prolonged investigations wil be necessary. TRAGEDY OF THE AIR. PARIS, Alareh 5. The piano of tbe Atlantic flier, Borges, in a wrecked conditicilL has been discovered on the beach near* Capo J my. The fusilago of tho plane was buried in tho sand, while the engine was as hundred yards’ distant. It is surmised that the conded into the sea, as the a defect, and that when they endeavoured to land, the plane crashed. The fate of the crew (four in all) is unknown. DIAMOND RUSH. CAPETOWN, Ararch 5. The Grasfoutein diamond rush is the biggest ever known. No fewer than twenty-five thousand lined up for the start, in the presence of a similar number of spectators. The first to reach tbe area was a South African champion runner, Len Richardson, who was offered £1001) for a claim, hut refused. < Twentv thousand licenses, have been issued, constituting a record. DOPE EVIL. LONDON, Alareh 5. A report is being presented to tho League of Nations dealing with the world-smuggling of drugs. The report states that Egyptians are rapidly becoming a race of addicts to drugs in spite of the prosecution of 5,600 in- - dividuals during thee past year. r The report says the enormous ‘profits made from cocaine and heroin continues to produce new traffickers, and the arrests in Cairo average sixty per week. Egypt produces no cocaine or heroin. Therefore the whole of tho supplies are obtained from illicit sources. DIVORCE INCREASE. LONDON, Alareh 5. That England is in danger of becoming a home of secret divorce as the result of the enforced newspaper secrecy is stressed by tho rapid increase of divorce cases. At the beginning of the last year’s session, the cases numbered 452. At tbe beginning of tbeM2)27 session they numbered 488, while since it has been found necessary to issue a supplemnetary list of 282 undefended cases, which have been notified during the last two months. Furthermore, undefended cases arc now being tried at various assizes throughout the country, of which figures at present are not available, though it is known that there is a big increase.

The “Law Times” fears that the absence of the publicity will mean that the Divorce Court will lie more and more freely resorted to. —>

N.S.AV. GOVERNOR. LONDON, Alareh 4. The Colonial Office has not received ally communication from Air Lang, New South Wales Premier, in reference to recalling Sir D. de Chair (N.SAV. Governor), which had been suggested by press cables. The Colonial Office states it is convinced of the N.S.AV. Governor’s constitutional rectitude. WOOL SALES. (Received this dav at 3 a.m.) LONDON, Alareh 5. Fifty-two experimental Australian wool packs impressed Bradford merchants. ’J ho hale, containing greasy wool, was on the thin side and was considerably torn by hooks, but a heavier twelve-pounder, containing scoured wool carried perfectly. Experts are of opinion its adoption will materially Help in overcoming the fibre trouble.

MADRID, March 5. A wireless from Las Palmas says that the l Uruguayan seaplane was found on the beach at Canzado. A native report states that Borges and his three companions were unhurt, but they were seized by Aiteasen tribesmen. NEW FRENH SCHEME. \ PARIS, March 4. The French Chamber of Deputies today resumed its debate on the French ! Military Reorganisation Bill. The discussion centred on the first article establishing the principle that every citizen irrespective of age or sex, must serve in war time. The objection was raised th)it this proposal would suppress the principle of tho nun-combatants’ rights to protection under the Hague Convention and that, therefore, in future wars LLusitanias” could he sunk and women could be deported for war work, without any protest. - / Following on a long discussion, the ) ” 'article was amended to declare that every citizen must serve, either as a combatant or as a non-combatant. The debate showed that the Government recognises that in future wars no State will lx* able to pledge the safety of its civilians, and that the enemy will not distinguish between the uniform and the mufti men or women.

> ITALIAN COMMENT. 1 ROME, -March 4. The French Chamber of Deputies [ debate, cabled earlier, from Paris has . elicited strong criticism in Rome where ( un official Fascist organ alludes to it _. as “this tragic comedy being enacted~C, 1 in old democratic Europe, which, after asphyxiating every corner of the horizon with the pacifist fumes of Locarno, has now started on a mad race for armaments, Lind that is worse than any before. * The newspaper “Popolo d’ltalia” declares that the French expenditure on armaments have no parallel in German militarism even before the wiar. BRITISH AIR FORCES. LONDON, March 6 . The British Air Estimates amount to £15.550.000, being a reduction of £450.000 on last year. . Sir S. Hoare (Air Minister) in aru accompanying memorandum, attaches great importance to the development of long distance routes, such as the pend-- y/ ing flight of hydroplanes to Australia, which were essential to the effective r employment of the air in imperial defence. The estimates provide £30,000 for establishing landings and fuel bases for these experiiuentiil flights. HUGE THEFT CHARGE. PARIS. March 4. “Le Matin” says that it warrant has !*een issued against the manager of an estate agency on ,i charge of appropriating six million francs. The police went to arrest him and learned that he had embarked for Australia.

ROYAL DONATIONS. LONDON March 5. The King has sent £IOO and the Queen £SO to the mine disaster fund.