BRITISH AFFAIRS

Southland Times, Issue 18843, 8 June 1920, Page 5

BRITISH AFFAIRS

THE COLONIAL OFFICE. ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES NOT DECIDED. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Router’s Telegrams.) LONDON, June 5.

Replying to questions Mr Lloyd George said it. had not been decided to transfer the Dominions Department of the Colonial Office to the Lord President of the Council. In regard to the question whether it was proposed to transfer to the Colonial Office the responsibilities of the Foreign Office in regard to Palestine, Egypt and the Sudan, and the responsibilities of the India Office :n regard to Mesopotamia, Central Arabia and Aden, tlie Premier said no decision had boon taken in regard to the administration of mandatory territories under the Turkish Treaty. COAL SUPPLIES AND PRICES. RELAXATION OF CONTROL. (Reuter’s Telegrams.) LONDON, June 5. Official: Rationing of household coal will cease on June 7, while pit head prices will he controlled as hitherto. Control of wholesale and retail prices will cease, but measures will be taken to prevent profiteering by dealers, ami householders are urged to -retire reserve stocks during the summer. Control for export and bunkering continues. HOUSING CONGRESS. TOWN PLANNING PROPOSAL REJECTED. (Reuter’s Telegrams.) LONDON. June 5. At the Housing Congress, Mr S. Hurst Seager, of New Zealand, moved a motion in favour of properly equipped children's playgrounds within a quarter of a mile of every home, and properly organised shopping centres within easy distance of all residential [daces. This was defeated by 7S to 70 votes. AN INTERESTING EXPERIMENT. APPLICATION OF GUILD PRINCTPLES, (Reuter's Telegrams.; LONDON, June 5. An attempt to cope with the serious housing problem resulted in an interesting experiment in London and Manchester in the application of the guild system to socialism, which it is believed is destined to revolutionise industrial control. Under this system a trade union ticket Is a certificate of membership of the guild, which is destined to mobilise the necessary- labour and eventually to undertake all branches of building, supplying skilled architects and engineers and carrying on all necessary and desirable public and private work. The labour of the guildman will soon be a marketable commodity, but the guildman will be on the strength for life. It is anticipated that the guild will be able to increase the purchasing power of its members, and there may be scientific organisation of production. Discussions have been proceeding with the Ministry of Health with reference to the percentage cost allowable for management. This has now- been settled on the basis of six per cent, in addition to a remuneration of £4l) per house payable bv the local authority.

THE RAILWAY AWARD. EVER'nil 1N (1 OHTAIN AB I.E OBTAINED. LONDON, Juno 5. Mr J. 11. Thomas, speaking at Battersea, said the railway wages award would disappoint many, but everything obtainable had been obtained. He believed the railway men’s claim fur a 20s increase had been a profound mistake. MESOPOTAMIAN OIL. COMPANIES’ PROPOSALS TO BE REJECTED. LONDON, June 5. The Sunday Express states that the Government has decided to reject the Royal Dutch and Shell combines' proposals regarding the Mesopotamian oilhekls:. A DESPERADO SHOT. SENSATIONAL END OF CRIMINAL CAREER. LONDON, June 6. (Received June 7. 15..30 p.m.) Private Toplis, who murdered a chauffeur at Andover on April 24, and escaped in the chauffeur's motor car, was rounded up and shot in a Cumberland village yesterday after six weeks' hue and cry, during which, Toplis made several attempts to hold up motorists. He al.-o shot a policeman and a fanner in the Banffshire highlands.

A Cumberland policeman challenged Toplis who whipped out a revolver, manacled the policeman, and esca|K?d teiuixirarily. A party of online collected and surrounded him. Toplis made a last stand, firing until he was shot dead.