GENERAL CABLES.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1928, Page 3

GENERAL CABLES.

(By Telegraph—-Per Press Association. MAFIA TRIAL. ROME, Jan. 11. The Alalia, a notorious Sicilian secret society, has at last been brought to judgment. The jury's verdict after a three mouths’ trial of 154 members, found all hut seven guilty. The prosecutor asked that 7 accused should be sentenced to penal servitude for life, eight others to thirty years, and the remainder to between live and twentyfive years. Efforts to suppress the Alalia have been recorded as far hack as 187-1, from when it terrorised Sicily and elsewhere by murder, robbery and smuggling. LEAGUE OF NATIONS. PARIS, Jan. 12. Gallardo, the Argentine Foreign Minister, interviewed by “ Le Petit Parisian ” says lie hopes the Argentine will re-enter the League, enabling it to participate in the Assembly at Geneva in September.

CUTTING OUT SUGAR, LONDON, Jan. 11. Confectioners are the latest victims of women’s craze for slimness, says the annual report of the Alnnehester Chamber of Commerce. The imports of refined sugar and candy dropped six million hundredweight within the year representing a fall of thirty-five per dent. Experts says whereas a man used to give a box of chocolates to a girl, he now gives a box of cigarettes. Doctors, .however, deprecate cutting sugar from the dietary of women and state it would be wiser to secure slimness by cutting out pastry and potatoes.

LORD CLAN USE’S SUDDEN DEATH. LONDON, Jan. VI. Despite bis doctor’s warning not to attend public ceremonies owing to a weak heart, Lord C'lanusk, .Ixird Lieutenant of Breconshire, arrived at Brecon to open tho war memorial hospital, in which lie was greatly interested. He began his speech:—‘l thank God for sparing me to see this day.” when he collapsed. He was carried into a hospital and died in eight minutes. After the removal of Lord Glanusk, his heir, Major Bailey said he was sure his father would desire the ceremony to proceed and accordingly handed over the deeds of the site to the chairman of the hospital. The Bishop said a Dedication prayer when Lord Obninsk's death was immediately announced. CHURCH UNION. LONDON, Jan. 11. Henry Fowler, secretary of the Protestant Alliance, expressed the opinion that the Pope’s pronouncement dissolves Anglo-Catholics dream of a reunion ef the Anglican Church with Rome. Attempt at reunion must always result in a loss to Anglicans, because Rome’s dogma is rigid. AngloCatholics who alone cherish the illusion of reunion would go to Rome and Evangelicals Would turn non-Con-formists.

MISSING CAPTAIN. LONDON, Jan. 11. A police search for Captain Cant, tabled yesterday, continues unnvailingly. Scotland Yard circulated his description, and passengers lists of steamers since 29th November have been inspected. It is assumed lie is still in Britain. His disappearance followed tlie receipt of a message from New Zealand to which Cant did not reply. A further message, a month later, invited hint to re Iv *o the first cable, to which '' 1 : ccipients in Dublin replied that '-ant had gone to Liverpool a month ta.iier. CANCER CONVENTION. ' LONDON, Jan. 11. The International Cancer Research Convention is being held in London in July. The organisers of the British Empire cancer campaign tear it is too late for Australia and New Zealand to bo represented though it is most desirable. It is issuing invitations in a fortnight.

INDUSTRIAL APPEAL. LONDON, Jan. 11. Appeals for industrial co-operation signed by directors anil employers, Labour leaders and trade unionists, were issued through the Industrial fellowship in connection with observance of an industrial Sunday on 29th April, Iml as Canterbury points out, a separate message is specially appropriate in view of to-morrow’s conference. He says: “.May God guide the deliberations to a wise conclusion and give His blessing to the observance of the Sunday. The employers’ appeal says no real peace in industry or progress essential to prosperity, is possible except along lines of Christian fellowship. The signatories of the employers’ appeal, include Sir Arthur Balfour, Lord Cecil. Clielwood, Sir Robert Hadfiehl, Sir Peter Hylands, Sir Josinh Stamp, and Sir Edwin Stockton. The employees signatories include'- Margaret Bonillield, dynes, Arthur Henderson. Will Thorne, Stephen Walsh, Philip Snowden, Ramsay MacDonald, Sidney Webb, several T.U.C. officials and the General Secretary of the Trade Unions.

CABLE AND WIRELESS. LONDON, Jan. 11. Although not consulted by either the Eastern or -Marconi's with reference t(. the proposed arrangement (cabled or. 10th January) the Pacific Cable Board welcomes co-operation as a means of averting cut rates and is hopeful that Eastern and Marconi will present a joint recommendation whereupon at tin wireless conference on Kith January. The Pacific, with three Government s unlimited resources, considers it would be best able to meet cut-throat com petition, which, nevertlieles, it wholeheartedly deprecates. The Pacific’.' Christmas week traffic was the geratesl in the history of the cable.

CHURCH UNION. LONDON, January 1-’. The joint executive of the Wesleyan United Methodist and Primitive Methodist Church adopted by sixty seven votes to one, the general principles of new proposals for union, including proceeding with an Enabling Bill at the 1928 conference.