GENERAL CABLES

Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1928, Page 2

GENERAL CABLES

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) ESPIONAGE TRIAL. RIGA, July 23. The military trial of twenty-eight Latvians, accused of espionage on liehalf'of Russia, lias ended. Four of them were sentenced to death, four to hard labour for life and nine others to from live to fifteen years’ hard Jabour. > BIRTH CONTROL. MUSSOLINI’S STAND. LONDON, July 24. The Milan correspondent of “The Times ” says that Signor Mussolini is disappointed because the birth rate continues to fall in, North Italy, despite a tax on bachelors and prizes for large families. Signor Mussolini has sent an article to the press opposing the theory that in the matter of births improved quality compensates for diminished quantity'. Signor Mussolini wants quantity. He says: “Without quantity, there is no quality. Without number, there is no power. Fifty thousand men can equip ten regiments of armoured cars, and one hundred thousand can equip twenty regiments.” * signor Mussolini adds: “ Babylon, Egypt, Thebes, and ancient Rome fell because their birfli rate fell. A reduction in tlieir numbers does not mean more vital children, either physically or mentally. The first-born is always tlie weakest. It is also ridiculous to say r tliat machines will ever replace men. The population nmst .be increased, for peace as well as for war.”

PREFERENCE WANTED. LONDON, July 24

“The Times” says: “What-the Labour Transference Board has in nund is that we should practice at .home to tlie fullest extent the policy' which we desire the Dominions also to adopt. When all that can be done at homo is done, there are the added possibilities of migration overseas. There is no intention of dumping the; uneniplovables in the Dominions, but Britain desires to make it easy' for vigorous, adventurous, and self-reliant migrants to try their fortunes in tlie younger ' lands of the .Empire. The preference which the Dominions are ready to give the Motherland in the matters of trade might also be shown more markedly' in the matters of migration.” /

WHOLESALE IMMIGRATION.

LONDON, July 24. "v. The “Daily Telegraph” says: “The Workers’ Transference Board were 60s an arduous and thankless task. ' Their proposals do not seem to promise much immediate fruit. Overseas migration offers a natural solution for the young men, but it is checked by r the high passage rates," also by* the excessively' stringent medical examinations, and by tlie restrictions regarding the callings which the migrants may adopt. It is principally the Labour Parties of the Dominions which are responsible for a jealous contraction of tlie avenues of entry to those members. Mr Ramsay MacDonald recently' said that the British Labour Party had-changed its attitude on migration, hut, alas, it finds itself up against some of its own worst faults intensified by the Labour Parties in the Dominions. Wo hope that the report will not escape the notice of Dominion salesmen.”

THE RED ARMY'. LONDON. July 24. A Riga despatch states that as the result of a Special Defence AVeek, a workers’ organisation, called “The Society for Aviation and Chemical Warfare,” has presented the Red Army with twenty more aeroplanes. Tlie Society’s appeal declared: “Since the impudent ultimatum of the British capitalists in 1923, the Reel Army has thus received more than one hundred aeroplanes. This is the best reply to Chamberlain.”

WRECK OF KETCH. SUVA, July 24. Tlie auxiliary ketch, Jan, is reported to have been wrecked in the Lau Group. The Fiji Government yacht, Pioneer, has been chartered to proceed to salvage the Jail.

TOC II FUND. Australian Press Assn.—United Service LONDON, July 24. The Prince of Wales fund for endowment of Toe H is now £53,000 including one hundred guineas each by the Australasia and Union Banks in recognition of Toe H’s assistance to young men ovofseaing.

SOVIET SHIPBUILDING. v (United Service.) (Received this dav at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, July 24. '1 he “ Evening News ” announces the Soviet Government is launching a gigantic ship building programme of 171 cargo and passenger vessels of all types and is seeking to place orders on credits abroad, including Britain and Germany, because red workers are too slow and costly. The Soviet’s own construction costs 150 per cent higher than’ other Europeans.

ELLEN TERRY’S FUNERAL. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 24. In compliance with Dame Ellen Terry’s wish the funeral service in the little parish church at Small Hvthe Pompless, was the simplest. Everyone wore workaday clothes. The coffin was covered with a golden pall fashioned hv her daughter Edith Craig, from her mother’s stage gown. Similarly at the requiem 'service' at All Saints, West End, the womenfolk wore their brightest summer frocks.

A DENIAL. . LONDON. July 24. A Rome report denies the death of Afariano. JAPANESE POSTS. TOKYO, July 24. Afatsudniro and Debuclii, cabled on 7th July, are officially announced as appointed as Ambassadors at London and Washington, Shigeru Yosliida, formerly secretary at London, replacing Debuclii.

A REMARKABLE DEVICE. (Received this dav nt .10.15 a.m.) LONDON, July 24. A remarkable device, the Reid aptitude apparatus, costing almost a thousand sterling has been shipped to Melbourne on order to the R.A.A.F. It is reputed to l>e well-night, infallible in testing the suitability of candidates for military and civil flying; also the maintenance of fitness after being in the service. It is a simple mehanism like a cockpit with gears.