NEWS BY CABLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 4029, 2 June 1931, Page 47

NEWS BY CABLE.

BRITAIN’S UNEMPLOYED. LONDON, May 27. The unemployed total has fallen 25,573 •to 2,506,937, the lowest for the year. ITALIAN LOAN. ROME, May 25. The Italian internal loan of £43,500,000 was fully subrcribed the day before closing, obviating the need of foreign borrowing. HIGH SPEED SHORTHAND. LONDON, May 25. Demonstrating high speed shorthand at the Teachers’ Conference, Miss E. Smith, of London, reached 320 words .per niinute. SOVIET BUTTER. RIGA, May 27. Owing to the butter production in Russia by May 20 reaching only 35 per cent, of the amount expected in May, the Soviet authorities are agitating for •a renewed butter campaign. CAROL OF RUMANIA. LONDON, May 29. The Daily Telegraph’s correspondent at Rome says: “ Matters have reached a crisis in the Rumanian Royal Family Queen Helen has been ordered to leave the country in 24 hours without her son. IMPERIAL FRUIT SHOW. LONDON, May 29. Lord' Bledisloe (Governor-General of New Zealand) is presenting to the Imperial Fruit’ Show a silver challenge cup valued at 60 guineas for the best exhibit of New Zealand apples at the spring: show on June 2. “OLD KATE.” v • LONDON, May 28. “ Old Kate,” described as the bestknown figure on the English racecourse next to Lord Lonsdale and. Steve Donoghue, has died, aged 88. She was the most famous of race card sellers. She saw 61 Derbies. The King and Queen knew her well. THE KINGS HEALTH. RUGBY, May 29. The King was cut’riding in Rotten Row before breakfast to-day. . Before his serious illness the King rode regularly, in the Row during the summer, but this is the first time he has ridden in public, since his illness. /Although there was a number of people watching the riders, few recognised his Majesty. . AUSTRALIAN WINE. OTTAWA, May 26. A deputation of grape-growers told the Minister of Agriculture in Ontario (Mr T. L. Kennedy) that a lowering of the Canadian tariff on Australian wine, supported by a bonus, would do irreparable harm to the Ontario grape growing industry. The deputation urged the Minister to lay the matter before the Federal authorities. PLANS FOR REVOLT. CAPETOWN, May 26. There was a sensation at Lourenco Marquez (Portuguese East Africa) in connection with the arrest of prominent men, mostly deportees from Portugal, alleged to be concerned in a revolutionary movement. They include a barrister and a doctor. Some of them were arrested en route for Inhambane, where, it is alleged, they intended to recruit a native regiment to march on the capital. COMMUNIST PLOT. BUCHAREST, May 26. The Rumanian police, in the course of a round up of Communists in Bessarabia, Bucharest, and Galatz, discovered plans for widespread terrorism, including the burning of churches on June 1. Similar demonstrations were planned In Yugoslavia, Poland, Greece, Bulgaria, and Czechoslovakia. Espionage agents were arrested and seditious literature seized.

. ’, A BOORISH MAYOR. PARIS, May 27. A welcome dinner party to the American Mayors was the scene of a (surprising incident. The Mayor of Los Angeles, who is a fierce prohibitionist, when he found champagne served for the toast of the President of the Republic, left the room. He now declares that his gesture was not made against France but against his fellow Mayors’ derogation of a national duty by drinking intoxicants. THE WILKINS EXPEDITION. NEW YORK, May 30. A message from New London, Connecticut, states that Sir Hubert Wilkins is completing his preparations for an early departure for the North Pole. The fuelling of the submarine will be completed not later than Sunday at. noon, and a deep dive is planned before the craft starts across the Atlantic. Sir Hubert is anxious to reach Spitsbergen by July 15, and to complete the journey to the pole during the Arctic summer.

FROZEN MEAT. LONDON, May 26. The Institute of London Underwriters, in consequence of the heavy losses on produce in freezing works ashore destroyed in the New Zealand earthquake, has inserted a clause in the ordinary marine frozen meat insurance policies specifically exempting from cover “ loss or damage ashore caused directly or in-' directly by earthquake, volcanic eruption, and fire resulting therefrom.” These risks thus have to be covered by specific policies and a separate premium. QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY. RUGBY, May-26. Queen Mary to-day celebrated her sixty-fourth birthday at Sandringham, where . she received presents from the members of the Royal Family, including grandchildren, and many messages of greeting from all parts of the world. A royal salute of 21 guns was fired at Hyde Park, and flags were flown from all public buildings, and all warships in Home ports were dressed overall. The Court will return to Buckingham Palace to-morrow.

BODY IN THE THAMES. LONDON, May 29. At the inquest on a New Zealander Graham Stewart Craig, aged 33, a stockbroker, who formerly lived in Sydney, and whose body was found in the Thames, an official of the Bank of New Zealand gave evidence that Craig was a client Of the bank. He was independent, and had a credit balance. He was apparently eccentric. His chief hobby was political economy, and he was decidedly pessimistic regarding financial matters. An open verdict was returned. HARBOURAGE DECLINED. LONDON, May 25. The English Masonic Grand Lodge has declined a refuge to Italian Freemasons suppressed by Signor Mussolini who are seeking a harbourage in England. The Italians have already informed the English Grand Master that they do not intend, though settling temporarily in London, to disregard the tradition of nationality governing Freemasonry or English territorial rights. English headquarters replied. protesting against the Italian settlement as a violation of Masonic jurisdiction. RETURNING MIGRANTS. LONDON, May 27. Britain’s population problems are aggravated by the fact that she has become the Empire’s immigration headquarters. The returns for the first quarter of 1931 show that 2671 British migrants came to England from Australia and 1203 went to Australia, while 2301 British passengers went to Australia and 3800 came to England. A total of 1363 British migrants went to Canada and 2660 returned to Britain, while 628 went to New Zealand and 534 returned to Britain.

THE BRITISH NAVY. LONDON, May 26. Almost on the eve of striking his flag and ending his active career in the navy Admiral Sir Roger Keyes, addressing a conference of head teachers at Portsmouth, said that everyone agreed that war was hideous and should not recur but to make paper facts unbacked by force was like trusting to laws without the police. Our Empire communications were as vital as the air w r e breathed, yet some people hailed every reduction of the navy as a step towards perpetual peace. What blind folly it was! AUSTRIAN BANK CRASH. VIENNA, May 27. The second big Austrian bank crash has been revealed by one of the'directors of the Auspitz Lieben Company named Schuller, shooting himself. The chairman, Stefan von Auspitz, was prevented from throwing himself into the Danube canal. The bank’s liabilities are unofficially stated to be nearly £1,000,000. The creditors include English banks. All the clients are wealthy, and it is therefore hoped that the bank will be given time and will be able to liquidate its debts. GENUINE GAINSBOROUGH.

LONDON, May 29. It is reported that a genuine Gainsborough was bought in the village of St. Paul, near Nice, for 250 shillings by Mrs Gwynn-Griffiths, who is described as an Australian writer, and is married to Mr George Baker, of Chicago. The Parisian expert Andrus attributes the picture to Gainsborough. The subject is a beautiful woman without a hat. It is suggested that it might be an early portrait of Lady Hamilton. The picture has been i-’ the possession of the shopkeeper’s family for many years. It was brought from England. ' NEW FIVE YEAR PLAN. LONDON, May 27. The Riga correspondent of The Times says that the Soviet’s State Planning commission has decided on the immediate preparation of a new Five Year Plan. M. Kuibysheyff, who is the commission’s chairman, said the previous method of entrusting the plans to a few hundred specialists must be abandoned. The

working masses must henceforth play a dominant part in Soviet Russia. Planning by non-specialists was said to be impracticable, but such scepticism must be resolutely discarded. Every factory worker would be given an opportunity to demonstrate his planning ability.

WHEAT CONFERENCE. RUGBY, May 25. The chief conclusion reached by the international conference of 11 wheat exporting countries, which has been meeting in London, was that where it is pos sible a reduction in the area devoted to wheat should be undertaken. Press comment shows some disappointment at the small results of the meeting, but it is generally agreed that very little could be expected and that the contacts established and the views exchanged will lead to results later. SYDNEY, May 27. The State Government has decided to take a poll of wheatgrowers on the question of the establishment of a compulsory wheat pool. A simple majority will determine the result of the ballot. INDUSTRIES CO-OPERATE. RUGBY, May 27. An important step towards the complete co-operation of the fruit and produce growing, canning and can manufacturing industries was made when Viscount Cobham opened a new canmaking factory at Worcester. Until recent years the English canning industry did little to foster fruit growing. Five years ago British fruit, vegetables, and cream were scarcely obtainable. The can industry now employs 11,000 men, and 40 firms are engaged in canning. Although the main aim is to share in supplying the English market for which £187,000,000 worth of canned goods is imported annually it was found that there was a considerable demand abroad for certain English fruit in cans, notably strawberries.

THE FISCAL QUESTION. RUGBY, May 28. There is every prospect that a keen political controversy will take place on the fiscal question during the next few months. A convention of Liberal Party delegates will be held in London tomorrow to consider plans for a compaign throughout the country in favour of -Freetrade. It is stated that before the end of the year 10,000 meetings will be addressed by Liberals on this subject in various parts of the country. The Conservatives have also planned an intensive campaign. The leader of the party (Mr Baldwin) will address four meetings in June, while Mr Neville Chamberlain, Sir Austen Chamberlain, Lord Hailsham, Sir Arthur Steel Maitland, Mr Winston Churchill, and several other prominent members have arranged to take part. POPE'S ENCLYCLICAL. LONDON, May 27. British Labourites are still concerned at the Pope’s saying that no good Roman Catholic can be a true Socialist. The Prime Minister (Mr MacDonald), at Lossiemouth, said that he was waiting to hear some pronouncement from British Roman Catholics about what the saying really means. Father Woodlock, the Jesuit controversalist, writing in the Evening Standard, stresses the significance of the word “ true,” which, he argues, here means one who is materialistic in his conception of society, ignoring or opposing Christian teaching. The Pope equally condemned the capitalistic conception of society in so far as it is materialistic. The British Labour Party had not hitherto adopted materialism or anticlericalism as its programme. The encyclical blesses all political parties working for the good of mankind, defending the dignity of the individual and the inalienable rights of the family against the aggression of Communism or any other form of “ true Socialism.”

OVER NIAGARA FALLS NEW YORK, May 30. A message from Niagara Falls states that William Hill, while attempting to go through Niagara Rapids and whirlpool to-day in a barrel, became entangled in the whirlpool, and was rescued by the valiant efforts of his son, William The barrel was fast filling with water, and attempts by firemen to cast Hill a rope failed. An aeroplane sought to place a rope near the barrel, but it also failed. Then the son tied a rope around his body and struggled through the whirling waters until he grasped the barrel as thousands cheered. He attached a rope to the barrel, which was slowly dragged to the Canadian shore, the father inside, and the son holding on grimly. Hill, sen., said he believed that an other hour would have meant death, as eight gallons of water were already in the barrel. Hill, who was battered and bruised, expressed regret that he was unable to reach his objective, Queenstown dock, below the whirlpool, as he had done twice before, once in 1919 and last year, in a barrel in three hours. THE PRINCE OF WALES. RUGBY, May 27. The Prince of Wales flew froifi London to Southampton this morning to bid bon voyage to the Empress of Britain, which left on her maiden trip to Quebec and Montreal. Afterwards the Prince inspected and made a brief flight in a short Kent flying boat, which, after being launched at Rochester, flew to Southampton. The Prince took the pilot’s

seat at the dual control .with Major Brackley, and, passing over the outgoing liner, dipped in salute. The new, flying boat, which is a biplane, is one of three built for Imperial, Airways for operation on their Mediterranean route. They are the largest passenger-carrying flying boats yet placed in service on any route. Each is equipped with four engines with a total of 2300 horse-power, and has accommodation for 18 passengers and special luggage holds for a ton and a-half of mail.

The Prince, after fulfilling engagements at Southampton, flew back to London and to-night was present at the dinner of the Wireless for the Blind Fund of which he is president.

M. BRIAND. PARIS, May 26. The Echo de Paris reliably understands that M. Briand has agreed to retain the Foreign Affairs portfolio. May 27. Yielding to the pressure of friends M. Briand has withdrawn his resignation. A stormy debate occurred in the Chamber. M. Franklin Bouillon, M. Briand’s implacable opponent, in moving the immediate replacement of the Foreign Minister owing to his failures at Geneva and his inability to combat the Austro-German Union, also objected to Mr Henderson’s presidentship of the Disarmament Conference, stating that he would have preferred Dr Eduard Benes (the Czechoslovakian Foreign Minister). He added that M. Briand, through the support of members of the Left, was now virtually the leader of the Opposition. M. Briand vigorously replied and said that Dr Benes did not want to preside at the Disarmament Conference. The motion was lost by 318 votes to 261.

SUNKEN GOLD. LONDON, May 26. After six hours’ search in the misty waters of the North Sea the Daily Mail solved the mystery concerning the destination of the Reclaimer a few minutes after the Reclaimer had located the sunken Turbantia, for which she had been searching for about a week. Mr A. Lindsay, representing the salvagers, declared that diving would begin immediately. When the hulk has been examined it will be broken by means of gelignite fired electrically. A message received on May 15 stated:—The salvage ship Reclaimer has been secretly fitted out, and is sailing from Sunderland to search for over £1,000.000 worth of gold aboard the Dutch steamer Turbantia, which was torpedoed in the North Sea in 1916. The Turbantia carried gold bullion and securities to the value of millions of pounds, intended to bolster up German credit in South America. Her departure and mission were kept so secret that a German submarine torpedoed her off the Belgian coast. The gold was hidden in hundreds of cheeses. Only one man on the Reclaimer knows the exact position, which he will not disclose until the divers are ready to descend. GERMAN MINISTERS. RUGBY, May 29. The arrangements for the visit to England of Dr Bruening (German Chancellor) and Dr Curtius (Minister of Foreign Affairs) have now been approved. They will arrive off Ryde in the Hamburg on June 5, and will be conveyed y H.M.S. Winchester to Southampton, where there will be a civic reception. They will later be the guests at a dinner at the Foreign Office given by the Prime Minister. During their sojourn they will stay at the Carlton Hotel, which they are due to leave on Saturday morning for Chequers, where they will be the guests of the Prime Minister until after luncheon on Sunday. On Monday at noon they will be received by his Majesty, following which they will be the guests of the Anglo-German Society’s luncheon In the afternoon there will be a recep tion at the Institute of International Affairs, and dinner in the evening, fol lowed by a reception at the German Embassy, which will complete their public engagements. They will leave after luncheon on Tuesday for Southampton, where the Winchester will be in attendance to carry them to the liner Europa, bv which they return to Germany.

ECONOMIC CRISIS. LONDON, May 27. “ The greatest effort should now be made to secure rational control of the purchasing power of money,” said Professor G.ustav Cassel, when addressing the Institute of Bankers. “No further time should be wasted,” he said, “ in listening to false prophets whose resistance to the efforts to gain control of the monetary system has helped to cause, intensify, and prolong a most disastrous economic catastrophe. It is time the leading central banks agreed to end the depression by declaring their intention henceforth to supply the world so abundantly with means of payment that a further fall in prices is impossible.” As long as the central banks refused responsibility for the purchasing power of their money humanity would be in the same situation as passengers on a liner of which the captain had lost control. The United States monetary policy was chiefly responsible for the crisis. The fall of American prices had reacted on all the old gold standard countries. The only possible remedy was a systematic reduction in the cen-

tral banks’ requirements of gold reserves. LURE OF SWEEPSTAKES. DANZIG, May 26. Australians and New Zealanders drew approximately half the horses in the Broom’s Derby sweepstake. The names are not available, as the numbers only were cabled from the dominions.' The prizes total £30,745, including three first prizes of £3903 each. LONDON, May 30. The Dublin sweep subscription totalled £2,789,696, of which £1,900,544 will be distributed as prize money, including 19 firsts, seconds, and thirds, each of £30,000 £15,000 and £lO,OOO respectively. The procedure adopted at the drawing was as follows:—A horse’s name was drawn, and then 19 tickets were allotted thereto. Ihe second horse was then drawn and another 19 tickets were allotted to it, and so on. The draw was completed, with the 1700 ticket holders coming from throughout the world. A Wanganui Herald syndicate has drawn Lightning Star in the Calcutta sweep draw at the Turf Club. The total amount subscribed is nearly £600,000. - WANDERING IN DESERT. LONDON, May 25. A party of starving Bedouins beside the skeleton of a camel, the bones of which they had picked so clean that vultures perching on its skull could find no flesh on it, was the sight confronting Mr M. P. Clayton, their rescuer from imminent death. Mr Clayton, who is head of the desert survey, has been recommended for the Meritorious Service Medal for this perilous rescue. These and other Bedouins were driven from the Kufra oasis aft»r the Italian troops captured it in January. ’ Mr Clayton, unaw-are of this, started out to recover a broken-down car at the Owenat oasis. A group of perishing Bedouins crouching beside it told Mr Clayton that other bands were lost in the waterless Libyan desert. Mr Clayton scoured the wastes for hundreds of miles daily in cars, defying the risk of a breakdown. He found three widely scattered parties and conveyed them* to safety after learning that he was too late to rescue many of their women and children, whose bones wer- strewn on the desert sands. The party when rescued numbered 19. It was originally 42. They were compelled to abandon their weaker companions. having eaten all the pack animals except two starving camels. It was this party which had deprived the vultures of their meal. They were half mad, and their feet were raw and bleeding after tramping from Kufra to Dakhla, a fortnight’s camel journey.

TRAGEDY IN KENT. LONDON, May 30. The police found the bodies of Mrs Maud Lewis and her daughter, Freda, aged 20, who had not been seen for several days, buried in the garden at their home in Belvedere, Kent. The husband, who is an education officer and highly respected in the district, has not been seen for several days. The police are looking for him. Neighbours say that the family appeared to live happily. The police broke up a concrete floor an inch thick which was recently constructed near a fishpond at the back of the house, which neighbours noticed on Thursday night was covered with a tarpaulin. At a depth of four feet the bodies of the women were found, clad in pyjamas, and swathed in carpets and sheets, and beside them was” the body of the family dog. The hole was covered with corrugated iron, over which the concrete was placed. It is understood that a preliminary examination did not reveal marks of violence or mutilation. Mr Evans, director of education for the Kent County Council, who is the senior of Lewis, says he received- a letter from Lewis this week saying that as the result of an accident Mrs and Miss Lewis were dead, and he must not be surprised to learn that he (Lewis) had followed them. Mr Evans has sent the letter to the authorities. Lewis is about 60 years of age. His wife and daughter were prominent social workers. Sir Bernard Spilsbury, who conducted a post mortem on the bodies of Mrs and Miss Lewis, is understood to confirm the suspicion that the victims were poisoned.