GENERAL CABLES

Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1928, Page 2

GENERAL CABLES

'Australian & N.Z. Cable Association. CARGO PILLAGING. LONDON. Alarch 13. The Anglo-Australian Shipowners’ •sub-committee on pillaging, states that there lias been a distinct improvement since the sub-committee’s report of 23rd August. One largo company reported that its theft losses had greatly reduced since more stringent measures were adopted, although other firms have not yet analysed the position. It is understood that there lias been an all-round improvement. The committee emphasises that this does not mean that any relaxation ol vigilance is perniissable. They also urge heavier punishments on conviction. One of the committee's most difficult problems is that a section of the public do not regard Ihefts from steamers or wharves as a serious matter. ~ . . The figures just received of pillaging in New" Zealand are as follows:—In ISH4 17.1 d pence per thousand tons of "cargo; in 1925. 15.79 pence; in If,UR 11.90 pence. BRITISH FORCE LANDED. BASRA. Aranil 14. The British sloop “Lupin” lias arrived at Koweit and has landed foe hundred marines. EXPRESS WRECKED. DELHI, ALit'ch 14. Twenty-five were killed and many seriously injured in a collision between an express and a slow train at Kalutnra C’eylon. The trains collided at a curve when the express was travelling at speed, the carriages were telescoped. NEW GYROSCOPIC DEVICE. LONDON. Afarch 13. AH S. G. Brown, inventor of thegyroscopic" compass, has perfected a gun direction compass of the gyroscopic device, enabling the accuratedirection of gunfire at an invisibletarget. which "ill have a far-reach-ing effect on battle tactics. It is pointed out a navigation compass like the magnetic compass must depart from the meridian before the direction force is effective, and therefore", it is constantly leaving and returning to the meridian. The amplitude of such a movement is relatively small, hut sufficient to prevent hitting invisible targets. The trials are claimed to have solved the problem of hitting a target at ten miles, and are exceeding, the experts most optimistic hopes. ITALY ’ S STJBM A RINES. ROAIE. Afarch 14. With the completion of the present naval building programme at the end of 1.931, Italy will have forty-five modern submarines, as well as a number of older typos, said Admiral Siria ,ina. Under Secretary for Marine, when speaking in tlie Chamber of Deputies. It is pointed out that this compares favourably with the fifty-five submarines of all kinds in the British navy. NICAR AG UAN ELECTIONS. AIANAGUA. March 13. Bv a vote of 22 to IG, the Nicaraguan House of Representative defeated the AreCov Bill providing for United States supervision of tins October Presidential elections. FROZEN MEAT DUTY. BERLIN, Afarch 14. In debating a Bill in the Reichstag to reduce the quota on frozen meat permitted to enter duty free, the Socialists demanded the total abolition of the import duty on frozen meat. The Democrats declared that they could support tlie Bill only if the import duties were lowered. Representatives of the agricultural interests demanded the abolition of the quota Bill, which was referred to the Trade and Commerce Committee. A MERGER. LONDON. Alarcli 1 I. It is stated in well informed quarters that a merger between Alarconis and Eastern Cable Company is imminent. AIR FATALITY. LONDON. Alarcli 14. Snicked in wake of a huge bomber with whic h it collided, a disabled Bristol fighter crashed seven hundred feet at Alonstoii Aerodrome. The occupants. Flying Officer Aluniford Afatliews and Lieutenant Scott were killed. Tlie bomber alighted safely despite both propellers being broken. LONDON, March 14. There was a brilliant '.spectacle at the Stute banquet at Buckingham Palace. where the 'Windsor gold plate was displayed. The Queen was wearing the Kohlnoor Diamond with the Order of Almoriala which King Amamillah conferred on her during the afternoon. The King made a short speech of welcome. King Amanullali replied in Persian. EQUAL FRANCHISE BILL. L“ The Times ” Service.] (Received this day at 8.30 a.mA LONDON, March 14. “The Times” in a leader dealing with the Equal Franchise Bill now issued gives the electorate as approximately 12,250,000 men mid 14.->OO.OOO women. It says “Experience shows women do not rank themselves tinder the sex banner hut support parties in proportions similar to the whole electorate however increased.. The electorate must increase the already appreciable xlouhts and difficulties. It is most questionable whether representation of people would he enlarged or restricted by the enlargement of the franchise or whether a representative Government would not l>e imperilled. Democracy knows its own mistakes. An electorate of twentyfive millions requires a high degree of discernment to prevent errors and learn from them that democracy has hardly begun the struggle- with and will perhaps suffer for the latest consequences of the development.”