BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1927, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

[BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] ALBANIA MOBILISING. LONDON, March 29. The “Daily News” Belgrade correspondent telegraphs from Scutari that the Albania Government lias ordered the mobilisation of all troops under thirty-six. Troops, particularly artillery, commanded by Italian officers are arriving daily and Italians are supervising tlic erection of frontier fortifications. COAIBINI.VL LONDON, Alarch 29. Whiteleys and Selfridges, universal providers, announce they are amalgamating. BETTING TAX. , LONDON, Mnrch 29. Hon. W. Churchill replying to it! deputation of bookmakers intimated was going to ask Parliament to the betting tax a fair trial durity fiat racing season. If the weaswc' "NTs found to be injuring racing lie woi%d w reconsider the incidence oi the tax. The AI mister said lie was giving • a great deal of thought- to the totalisator adding that opinion in favour of the totalisator had been gathering strength since last year. BRITAIN’S FINANCES. RUGBY. March 23. The financial year ends on Thursday, and until then the amount of the deficit, as between national revenue ami expenditure, arising from last year’s strikes, will not be known. It is probable, however, that- it- will he smaller than was at fust anticipated. The newspapers suggest that it will he between £15.000,000 and £20,000.000. This amount,is automatically added to the floating debt. ELECTION VOTING. LONDON. March 30.

It is reported that the Government is now considering the application ot the alternative vote principle in threecornered election contests. The “Daily Herald” says it admits that the introduction of the alternative vote might postpone the advent of the Labour Party to power, hut it would be a question of postponement only. The “ Daily Chronicle ” and the “Daily News” see in the latest results a revival of Liberalism, which Air Lloyd George says “ has rounded its Cape Horn.” Already prominent Liberals are talking about the Liberals being the dominant party in the next Parliament. Sir Herbert Samuel, Chairman of Liberal Organising Committee, who has been working his hardest in the interests of the party’s unity, expresses the opinion that the next General Election in Britain may see a. landslide like that of 190(5, which suddenly brought sweeping Liberal sue l cesses.

ARAfY DEATH PENALTY. LONDON, Alarch 29. in the House of Commons a Labour proposal was put forward to abolish Hie death penalty in the Army for all offences, except for treachery. The motion was rejected by 259 votes to 131. Mr Tliurtle said: “There is nothing more horrible in war than to sec a blindfold man shot hv his comrades, because his nerve has tailed! AY hat is called cowardice is generally a ease of cracking under the tremendous nerve strain. It is utterly unjust to take life for weakness.” ALLEGED SELF-M UTILATION. LONDON. March 29. The “ Daily Alail’.s ” Y'ienna correspondent states : The engineer Maiek’s, amputated leg lias been discovered in' preserved chemicals. .March (whom the Anglo-Daunhian Llevd Co. refused to pay his insurance of .£BO.OOO against disablement, on the alleged ground that lie intentionally 1%-d the Veg amputated) reprodueedvfle alleged attack upon himself, squatting on the floor of the Court, lie took an axe and demonstrated how the blow fell. He persisted that he only felt frightful agony, stating he screamed, and then fainted. Evidence was given which disclosed that the incident occurred the morning after Marek had paid the first instalment of two hundred sterling on his annual premium against accident, and his wife presented the claim the following morning. Marek professed a passionate love for his wife. The prosecution is seeking to prove that he mutilated himself to provide His wife with wealth, which he intended to share with her after his recov-

PRAYER BOOK CONTROVERSY. ] LONDON. Ala roll 30. The Convocations of Canterbury and York adopted resolutions forwarding t the Prayer Book measure to the Xa--1 tional Assembly. The Convocation of Canterbury passed a resolution by 21 votes to 4. while the Convocation ot i York was unanimous, and the Lower House passed it by an overwhelming majority. KAISER’S PLANS TO RETURN. BERLIN, Alarch 30. : The ex-Kaiser has sent a message i L that he lias not the slightest intention i of applying to the German Republican Government for permission to return to Germany. Such a step, he says, is beneath his dignity. MOORS CAPTURE AIRMEN. MADRID. Alarch 30. It is officially announced that Aforoeean tribesmen captured two Spanish airmen, who were forced to land while engaged on a bombing exp-edition. AFRICAN FINANCE. CAPETOAYN, March 30 The Minister of Frame in introducing the Budget, said the increase of revenue over the estimate was £1,700,000 sterling. Allowing there would he a surplus of £1.150,000 which would he applied to a reduction of the debt. Customs revenue alone exceeded the estimate by over £BOO.OOO. which was attributed partly to the excellent season and partly to the enormous production of alluvial diamonds, the proceeds from which are lafgeTy spent on high-rated, imported articles motor cars and petrol. The Afinister estimated the revenue for the coming year of 27; millions which he exjtoctod would he sufficient to meet requirements. PACIFIC cable mu., LONDON. March 30. In the Commons Afr Am cry moved the second reading of the ’ Pacific Cable Board Bill (cabled on March 16). He said a satisfactory agreement permitted the partner governments to reap the fruits of long efforts and sacrifices to distribute some of the profits among partners, but he emphasised that the idea was service to the Empire business people, not profits. Air Sydney AYebb gave labours blessing. remarking that if he had introduced the Bill it would have been called a gross piece of socialism. Air Kirkwood and Afr Alaxton assailed the salary of £IOOO for the chairman. Air Amery said the salary must be such as would command an active able chairman. The Bill was head a second time. HOCKEY TOUR. LONDON. Alarch 30. The English women’s hockey team who leave for Australia on Anril wore beaten by the Rost of England by 9 to 2.