CHRISTMAS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1930, Page 6

CHRISTMAS

BEFOGGED LONDON. TRAFFIC STILL HELD . UP. [United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] LONDON, Dec. 22. The dense fog continues to envelop Central London and the southern suburbs. iSeven deaths are reported in street accidents. Rioacl traffic is severely affected, and in some parts the omnibus and car services have been discontinued, while only reduced suburban services are run on tlie railways. Croydon Aerodrome is out of service, but the incoming air linersare able to land at Lympne. XMAS IN U.S.A. CRIMES AND EXTORTIONS. NEW YORK, Dec. 23. The holiday season lias been ushered in with six gang shootings and a fine crop of assorted murders, stick-ups and burglaries. The racketeers also began a . levy on the Christmas tree business. They modestly demand 10 cents per tree for tlie privilege of permitting the retailers to unload. the shipments without molestation. The consequence is that the retail prices have soared. LONG-TERM CONVICTS. GIVEN XMAS VACATION. NEW YORK, Dec. 23. Alabama’s prison gates are opened for more than 300 convicts, who are going home for the Christmas. Fifteen days’ parole have been given to men who mostly were convicted of murder or manslaughter, and who already have served 25 year's, and whose conduct has been meritorious. This is the third year that the long-term convicts have been so rewarded. Only five have failed to return. No check is kept on their movements from today until January sth. AGAINST CHRISTMAS. SOVIET’S CAMPAIGN. RIBA, Dec. 22. Three hundred anti-God Brigades have had six weeks’ training, in the form of shock troops, in an antiXmas campaign in the neighbourhood of Leningrad, where there have, been specially elaborate preparations. The anti-Christmas campaign begian at the week-end at Moscow, Leningrad, Kharkoff and other centres, culminating in the ofd style Christmas on January 7th. The activities at Moscow include fifteen anti-God brigades. The Education Commissariat have undertaken the supreme direction of the efforts, particularly of burlesques in the schools, clubs, theatres, ('?rcusep, cinemas, factories, street professions, ice carnivals, which, M. Lunarcharsky, lecturing at a Pan-Soviet Anti-Religious Congress, declared to be amongst the best methods of antireligious propoganda.