GENERAL CABLES

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1928, Page 2

GENERAL CABLES

(United Press Association!—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) STRESFMANN’S CONDITION. BERLIN, May 16. Herr Stresemann had a comparatively quiet night and is improving.

GERMAN STATESMAN. LONDON, May 17. Dr Stresemann the German Foreign Minister’s critical illness is regarded as a serious 'blow, not only to the British diplomacy, but also to international diplomacy, as, on the whole, it is expected that it will be several months before lie resumes office, his illness being a serious form of kidney disease. Dr Stresemann is inidoulitedlv Germany’s loading statesman today. Indeed it is recognised throughout Europe that lie is one of the most outstanding figures in European affairs, bis knowledge of which is far above tbnt of Anyone else in German politics. His friendship with Sir Austin Chamberlain, coupled with his work at Locarno, is one of the most striking features of Post-war diplomacy. This is only typical of Dr Streseniann’s relations with Britain throughout. Certainly Britain sees in him a real friend to the British Empire.

URGENT REQUEST. PRAGUE, May IG. The Czechoslovakian sugar industry issued a memorandum to the Government for an urgent grant of £1.100,000 from public funds divisable between the industry and the beet growers to meet losses resulting from changes in the British duiles. The Government intimated it was considering measures to meet the danger threatening theindustry.

ANGLO-IRAQ TREATY. BAGHDAD, May 1G

Despite long propaganda before the election against the Anglo-Iraq treaty the Government lias secured an overwhelming majority. The -Government party secured seventy seats, the Opposition ten and the Independents eight.

ECONOMIC COMMISSION. GENEVA, May 16. Mr Layton editor of the “Economist,” in a very able address before the Economic Commission, began by frankly declaring himself a free trader. lie directed the attention of the Conference to what he termed the very striking, bold report of the Australian Tariff Board, 1927, 'especially to the passages stating there was a misehlevious tendency to abuse the protective system, the result of which was seen in an increase in the cost of prices, cost of living and wages; There was a tendency on the part of industry to shelter itself slotlifully behind customs banders and that producers of raw agricultural materials were now asking for an increased protection resulting in a lower output and survival of obsolete methods of Cultivation. Layton commended tlip report to the earnest .consideration of the Conference, emphasising it was compiled by the body responsible for one of the highest tariffs in the world.

POLITICAL. LONDON, May IG. In the Lords, Lord Astor moved for the appointment- of a vSelect Committee to consider testamentary law, specially with a view to preventing a man cutting off his wife and family with a shilling, and leaving his estate to some other woman. The laws of Scotland and Australia prevented such injustice, yet there was a famous case in England where a man under an early will left his wife 31s weekly and the rest to charity. He left half a million. Another left thirty thousand to his wife and children but a million sterling to his mistress and illegitimate children. Lord Haldane doubted whether any judge was capable wisily of varying wills. Perhaps Bishops might undertake it or they could trust public opinion to compel men to do the right thing. • In the Commons, Lord Curzon in answer to a question said the railways benefit rate relief scheme amounted at least to four millions yearly.

'Sir Joyuson Hicks questioned in reference to a recent decision wherein whist drives with money prizes in the interest of charity was held illegal, pointed out that whist drives for money prizes were held illegal away back in 1912. Mr Maxton: “Are you aware owing to its restrictions on recreations, that the Government is known as the Killjoy Government and you as a' Ivilljoyjix.” Sir Joyuson Hicks: “I cannot override the decision of a court, though f do not object to whist drives.” He said lie could not at present promise legislation on the subject.

Sir S. Hoarc in answer to a question whether it was proposed to use the airship Rlol in flights to India, and the Dominions under the Air Ministry’s control, held the view that subsequent development ol airship transport was preferable by private enterprise.

DISASTROUS FIRE. CALCUTTA, May 10

Thirty thousand are homeless and three thousand houses were destroyed by a fire at Ellore, near ATadras. Hundreds of cattle were incinerated.

INDIAN NOTABLE. LONDON, Alay 16

The Maharajah Burdwan is shortly entering a political course Phillip Scott College, Northampton, where he is studying current polities, public. speaking, industrial politics, economics} and record modern conversation. He says he is willing to stand as a Conservative candidate.

LONDON, May 16. Obituary Sir Edmund Goose ; also Miss Compton, widow of the dramatist. Carton, cabled on Ist April. She died of grief. Sbc played chief parts in her husband’s productions. ..She was regarded as England’s most finished comedy actress. AIR TORPEDO-BOAT. LONDON. May 16. Admiralty officials witnessed an aerial ■ torpedo boat, a two-seater Blackburn-Riplon. piloted by Captain Blake, with a 509 horse power Nap-ier-Bon engine, carry out demonstrations, swooping down the river Humber at Brough at tbe rate of three miles a minute, discharging a torpedo into the waters, and climbing up again. The machine can be operated amphibiously and also used for bombing work.

CAROL’S RESIDENCE. BRUSSELS, May 17Carol has gone to the former Royal Chateau at Andardenne near Namur, which may be his permanent residence. NOBILE’S EXP I,OR ATIOXS. COPENHAGEN, A lay 17. Nobile intends to land three observers for a six Hour stay at Nicholas II Land. All are well and have now done three parts of the journey and are expected to return to-night. The next vovage will be Croekerland where Peary reported he had found land.