GENERAL CABLES.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1927, Page 2

GENERAL CABLES.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.; TEVIBER FAMINE COMING. LONDON, Sept. 5. At the Science Congress, Sir Peter Cluterbuck said that the British Empire and the United States were almost defenceless against a coming world famine in soft woods, which some authorities expected in twenty-five years time. Ho said that France and Germany, on the contrary had developed m strong forests, in their realisation that timber was next in importance to food and clothing. Sir P. Clutterhuck said that, despite the planting of conifers in Australia and Now Zealand, they were unlikely to have any exportable surplus. He pointed out that Canada was exhausting her supplies. A resolution was carried urging the formation of an Empire Forestry Association, to bo financially supported.

CONFISCATED AT ODESSA. WARSAW, Sept. 5. The Odessa. Court confiscated the steamer Costi (cabled on September 2nd. under her old name of the Inkerman). The crew had mutinied and brouglit-to the vessel, which formerly was owned by “White” who sold her to a Greek. The'Court’s decision was on the grounds that she was Russian property. The Court declined to allow the captain to communicate with Cairo, and further ordered the vessel’s Egyptian owners to pay £I2OO costs in satisfaction of which the Court will probably seize the cargo.

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT. LONDON, September 5. At the Trades Union Congress at Edinburgh, the final' session wound up in disorder, consequent on a statement from ATr Teter Chambers, of Scotland, wiio is nominated bv the A liners’ Federation, criticising tho Blanesburgli Committee’s report regarding the amendment of unemployment benefits. Air Chambers alleged that the signature of the report by the Labour delegates, Miss Bondfield, Mr Frank Hodges, and Air J. Holmes, had sent girls on to the streets. The cries of dissension wore so loud that Air Chambers could not get a hearing, and he left the rostrum excitedly waving papers. Miss Alnrgaret Bondfield vehemently replied, pointing out' that it was purely ail insurance scheme, and that she had acted in the best interest of the unemployed. Nevertheless, the Congress carried a rcsulution. hv 1,836.000 votes to 1,119,000, characterising the Blanesburgh report as despicable, and asking the T.U. Congress to guard against such people representing the workers in future on important issues.

N ON-POUT IC AL UNIONS. LONDON, September 5. At the Trades Union Congress at ■LAiinburgli. Air Pollitt, the 'Boilermakers’ delegate, criticised the General Council’s failure to give attention to the activities of non-political Unions, such a's the Seamen’s Union, which were, lie said, the greatest menace to the movement, while time was wasted attacking the Russians. Air Sexton, AI.P., said that Air Havelock AVilson’s record was brilliant, but his action in supporting nonpolitical Unions, in an endeavour to destroy the Alitiers’ Federation, had earned the detestation of the delegates. The delegates at the T.U. Congress claim to represent 4,163,994 Trade Union members, which is two hundred thousand below the nmber of 192 S It is believed however, the loss in membership is much greater. At Edinburgh, the Trades Union Congress, after discussing .or Havelock Wilson’s attitude resolved that the Council of the Congress - should report thereon immediately.

PSYCHIC PHENOMENA. LONDON, Sept. 5. Sir Oliver Lodge, at the Science Congress, pleaded that the Congress should not longer ignore psychic research. Dr. T. Mitchell said that it was undeniable that telepathic explanations of the alleged communication with 'the dead involved assumptions almost as hard to- accept as those involved in the hypothesis of spirit communications. Dr Mitchell suggested that after death some part of the mind continues to exist—at least for some time.—providing a source of super-nor-mal ry acquired knowledge. DENTAL MENACE. BERLIN, Sept. 5. According to the Congress of German Dentists, the patients of dentists throughout tlio world are suffering from slow poisoning, this being due to cheap composition being used in stopping teeth. Professor Fleiscmnnn says that there is no danger in the expensive compositions containing platinum and gold, but the commonest composition, containing copper, is likely to admit mercury, flius poisoning the system. The Congress decided not to use cheap composition, pending the discovery of protective measures. CLYDESIDE TRAGEDY. LONDON, September 6. The Grenadier, which is one of the best known pleasure steamers on the Clyde, was burnt at its berth at Oban. The crew had a harrowing experience in escaping. Three were incinerated, including a retired captain (Captain McArthur.) who was having a busliman’s holiday.