GENERAL CABLES

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1928, Page 2

GENERAL CABLES

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association,

DISCUSSION IN LORDS. LONDON, March fi

Jn the Lords, Earl Beauchamp moved a resolution protesting against Hon. W. Churchill’s raiding the road fund to the extent of £26,400,000 in two years, resulting in the postponement or cancellation of road improvement throughout the country. .Motor vehicles licensed in Britain totalled 1.729.000, which equals one to every twenty-six people, compared with one per six in U.S.A., and one per eleven in Canada. lion. IV. Churchill’s raids damped down the municipal road schemes and cheeked the expenditure of at least thirteen millions in wages alone Tor road work. Viscount Peel, in reply, objected to the term raid, which suggested something iniquitous. A pledge could never he given that proceeds of a particulartax would permanently he devoted to a particular purpose. Without the road fund money Hon. AY. Churchill would have been forced in 1026 to increase the income tax by three pence. Just when trade was staggering form the result of a general strike, that would have been more damaging from a viewpoint of unemployment than the course adopted. The road improvements had not stopped, on the contrary the expenditure oil roads was increasing at the rate of over a million yearly. Britain’s roads were probably the best in the world. Earl Beauchamp withdrew his resolution.

PREC’EDENT R REUSED. LONDON. March G. The Alarqtiis of Lincolnshire, Lord Great Chamberlain, refused permission to exnihit the film of Hon. Ainery’s tour of the Dominions within the palace at Westminster on the ground that it would establish a precedent if a Commoner were allowed to show a travel film to fellow members. AFGHAN KING’S DEAL. BERLIN, A larch fi. A pretty little romance of real lile is given prominence in the evening papers. A poor working girl stood at a knitting machine at Leipzig Fair, her lifeless expression revealing the hopeless drudgery of daily life. A crowd of visitors stopped, and soon her machine was the centre of Amanullah’s insatiable thirst for knowledge. Through an interpreter, lie asked lor a demonstration. The girl accurately and adroitly, hut mechanically, responded, unaware that the tamiliar incitements had a far-reaching influence on her destiny. The King asked questions which she answered in a perfunctory manner, not attempting to thrust her personality into the matter, thereupon the King ordered IGO knitting machines, adding: “But this girl must come to teach the people how to use them.” The deal was sealed on the spot, the girl bursting into tears ol joy.

TREASON DU R ING. WAR. PARIS, A 1 art'll G

The Belgian. La Porre, who was accused of treason to both France and Belgum, was sentenced to life imprisonment in a fortress. He was previously sentenced to death in his absence, bv the Belgian Courts. The trial last five days. There was a constant stream of French and Belgian witnesses, who stated that La Porre obtained their confidence, when lie wished to get-through Holland to England, and then betrayed them to German occupying authorities. It was stated that many British, French and Belgians, lost their lives through La i Perrc’s treachery. COMMONWEALTH LOAN. (Received this day at 9.30 a.in). LONDON. March 7. The Gommonwealth loan closed. The underwriters expect a large proportion. DUKE'S EQUERRY. LONDON. March 7. Major Nugent, wno was on the Duke of York’s staff during his visit to Australia and New Zealand, has been gazetted as the Duke’s extra equerry. AFGHAN REEORAIS. DELHI, March 7. Ear reaching reforms in Afghanistan are beginning at the Afghan New Year. March 21st. They include the establishment of a French metric system to replace the ancient system and a college on French lines staffed by French prolessors. The French language is now compulsory in the public schools.