GENERAL CABLES

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1928, Page 3

GENERAL CABLES

) (Australian & N./, Cable Association.) TIIUSTIFICATTON LONDON', Feb. 10. The “ Spectator,” in an editorial bended ” Independence of Hritisli Press,” alludes to the aimomicement of the creation of a chain of Hothermero provincial evening newspapers, and sa.vs “ the trustification of the Hritisli press is one of the serious problems democracy has to face. As journalism has to he conducted on commercial lines, it is difficult to see how the tendemy to combination is to he avoided, but we confess to a feeling of something akin to dismay when we compare the ownership of the press to-day with thirty years ago. The Hritisli press is now largely owned by three trusts. Syndicated news is distributed en masse, and is never quite the same as the honest opinions of a working pro-prietor-editor or independent editor who earnestly seeks to he society's watchdog. In a few years we may witness the formation of one great newspaper trust. Surely a special obligation rests upon the remaining independent journals to safeguard their independence.” The article pays a graceful tribute to the llurnham family’s tradition of dignified, enterprising and independent journalism.

-MEETING BY HA OK). LONDON, Feb. if,. Using a trans-Atlantic- wireless telephone and twelve Imiidred miles ol land lines, the British Institution of Electrical Engineers and the American institute held a joint meeting in Loudon and New York. The Britishers transmitted from Hamby and received at Cupar, Scotland, while the Americans used Lone island and Moulton, Maine. Loud speakers amplified the incoming messages. Firstly greetings were exchanged. and then the American President, Mr Bancroft (thorardi, requested

the llritish President, Mr Page, A.S. head of tiie senior institution, to tak tlie chair. Mr Page, in a speech o acknowledgement, invited Mr Gherard to address the joint meeting. A mi in her of speeches at both ends followed General Carter (American) movei a resolution of satisfaction that wire less had enabled the holding of a, join! meeting. Sir Oliver Lodge seconded Iron London, and the Chairman put the motion, which was carried by acclamation The American speeches and applause were heard with perfect ease in London, and also by a large audience in a hall adjoining the 'meeting room, whither the messages were relayed. Sir Oliver Lodge said the results were excellent. They were not worried by atmospherics. SOCCER. LONDON, Feb. 16. The international! army tria ngiilar tournament between, Britain. France and Belgium has begun. In the first match the British Army beat the Belgian Army o—2. ' FREEDOM OF SPEECH. LONDON, Feb. 17. Sir IV. Joynsou Hicks has issued a statement that there is evidence that in recent years there has been an organised attempt by irresponsihles t interfere seriously with the right of free speech at meetings of political opponents. In consequence of this, he ulvises chief constables that- they should be ready to entertain applications from responsible persons of all •ccognised political parties, for the poire to he present inside as well ns mtside meeting places, without charge o the promoters, if the chief constables are satisfied that there Is rea;on to fear disorder.

< EDITH C'AVELL FILM.. i LONDON.-Fell. 1.0. Sir .Jnynson Hicks, in answer to r|iic.stions in the Commons, said that • lie was of mi opportunity to corI root misapprehensions relating to the Cave 11 film. “ The Dawn.” All statutory powers controlling the character of films were vested in the local licensing authorities, who relied in all exceptional cases upon an unofficial body known as the British Hoard of *l' dm Censors. It would obviously he improper for the Government to interfere with the local authorities’ discretion, except to see where public policy was concerned, to the extent affecting international relations, when it should intimate its views before the licensing authority reached a decision. 'I his was the only action the Government had taken regarding “The Dawn.”

TOT ft FOll BRITAIN. LONDON, Feb. If!. The Jockey Club’s National Hunt memorandum circulated among Commoners, explains that a central authority will he established under the Jockey Club National Hunt Committee to raise the necessary funds to erect and operate totalisntors in the various courses, and all moneys paid in will be controlled by the authority of the stewards. They intend that racecourse owners shall make a charge on bookmakers for the right of betting on their grounds, which moneys will he paid to the central authority in the same way as totalisator moneys. 'I be percentage of all bets will be deducted by that authority, and the balance paid to winning backers to which a percentage will be added to payments by bookmaker* and the whole will be used for paying the . betting duty. Government expenses and interest on the capital for the totalisntors. The balance will lie used for the benefit of breeding

horses, increase in stake moneys, improvement of race tracks, and a proportion for charitable purposes, but will not he used to increase the profits of privately-owned racecourses. The particular type of machine to he installed will depend upon the circumstance of each course. ARCOS CLOSING DOWN. CONSTANTINOPLE, Feb. IG. Arcos, ostensibly for economic reasons, is dosing down shortly, relinquishing its business to the Russian Trade Delegation. STEAMER DISASTER. [“ Sydney Sun ” Cables.] (Received this day at 8 a.m.l TOKTO, Feb. 17. Following an explosion aboard the Britsh tanker Chuk.v, she sank off Boshu Peninsula. Captain Hemes and fourteen others were drowned. Twentyfive survivors clung to the wreckage from Wednesday night till Friday morning, and were then rescued in an exhausted condition by Japanese fishermen. The Chuky was en route to Tokio with a cargo of 72.000 cases of kerosene. flight to'north pole. ROME. Feb. 16. The programme of Nobile’s Polar expedition is fixed as follows: The aiiship Italy will leave Rome in Aprd. bound for Kings Ray, Spitsbergen, via Venice, Prague, and Stettin. Ihe Nobile will use Kings Bay as a base, and hopes to make at least ten excursions over the Polar regions, and to effect a landing at the North Pole and to establish the Italian flag. The expedition is limited to Italians. Pressing requests from three Russian and two Norwegian scientists weft- ro-