BRTTISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1927, Page 2

BRTTISH & FOREIGN NEWS

(Til- TELEGRAPH—I‘EIt PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

MUSIC HALL AVAR. LONDON, March 18

A music hall war on B.D.C. has definitely started, one after another of the big stars declining contracts, chiefly owing to the antagonism of managers of large circuits who declare that broadcasting is seriously interfering with business. They admit it cannot be stopped, but candidly say they hope in the meantime to do all harm possible. It is pointed out that one night’s broadcast is heard by three millions in England, rendering the turn stale after one * performance. The suggested remedy is that the company develop its own stars and permanent contracts.

SIR A. COBHAM’S OPINION. LONDON, March 18. . “I’ve returned front the United State with a. million ideas for the advancement of civil aviation,” declared Sir A. Cobliam, when interviewed upon his arrival, “hut everything I’ve seen has not altered my firm conviction that the great future of flying lies in the development of the flying boat. This will be tlie train of to-morrow, and great veins of communication will soon be the waterways and rivers, whereon Hying boats from the air can land.” 4 Sir A. Cobham will shortly lecture on a tour through England.

WOMEN SMOKERS INCREASE. LONDON, March 19,

With a tobacco tax looming on the • Budget horizon, wide prominence is being given to the phenomenal growth of women smokers. It is estimated seventy-five per cent ol the increase in the tobacco sales is due to this cause.

The smoking habit among women incidentally came under severe castigation by the leaders of the Somerset Women’s Institute, at its annual Conference. where it was described as “ a nasty, filthy habit, symptomatic of the self-indulgence and the lack ot selfrestraint'which is characteristic of the present day.”

LITTLE BIPLANE. LONDON. March 19.

As near a silver flying fish as could he imagined, best describes the little “Avioncirrus” biplane in which Bert Hinkler shortly sets out .on one of the most daring flights' ever undertaken, to Australia The machine, fresh from the hands of the assemblers and painters, arrived at Croydon late this afternoon after flying 75 miles from Southampton in barely 45 minutes. The machine which is exactly the shape of a fish is composed of glistening duralumin and it shines like a mirror in the setting sun.

This machine is the latest effort to create a model within reach of the

average man. y Hinkler will attempt to fly to Australia. unaccompanied. He will l>e his own mechanic and navigator. He will make further severe tests of the machine next week and then the final preparations for an early departure. MINERS’ INTERNATIONAL. BERLIN. March 18. The Austrian, Czech, Dutch, German and Polish members of the Miners’, International Committee have issued a manifesto, protesting against the Secretary of the British Afiners’ Federation, Mr A. F. Cook’s attack on the Afiners’ International, during ibis recent Moscow visit, and requesting the British Afiners’ Federation to prevent a recurrence of such an attack. RUG BY RULES. LONDON, March IS. The International Rugby Board has decided to bold an Imperial Conference in London at intervals of at least three years, to consider amendments to the rules and other matters, at which N<"’Zealand. New Souli Wales and South Africa shall have two representatives, preferably men residing in the Dornmions, whose Union shall pay the delegates’ expenses. Resolutions were also passed that no alterations he made in the rules except of a minor character for the next three years, during which it is recommended that all matches be played under the International Board laws.