Great Britain.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 56, 9 June 1916, Page 6

Great Britain.

THE PARtS CONFERENCE. fUIIIIBD Puts** AmoOTATION.I London, June 8. The Hon. Sir George H. Foster, Canadian Minister of Commerce, attends the Paris Conference as a British delegate. Official: Lord Crewe will attend '.be Paris Economic Conference inst°;id of Mr Runciman. IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS. London, June - The conference of the Imperial Council of Commerce, by an overwhelming majority, favored preierential trading within the Empire. *!;e prohibition of the naturalisation ol enemies until twenty years’ residem-e in Britain, and recommended mutual customs arrangement with the Dominions.

The trial of Rua commenced at the Auckland Supreme Court to-day which was crowded. Accused, win appeared careworn, pleaded no; guilty.—P.A. "Weather Forecast.—The indication; are for variable' and moderate breer, cs. Easterly’ moderate winds prevail mg. There is a prospect of fair to cloudy weather. The night will prod ably be very cold, with frosts inland Barometer little movement.—Bates, Wellington.

A Press Association message Iron Christchurch states: Captain Pearson of the Oponri, from Greymouth, re ports passing in Cook Strait a twin screw scow floating bottom up. Fie sumably, it is the Southern Isle, which was lost at Farewell Spit. A whvt*. tlag was fastened to a pole at the sternpost, but the wreck is not visible at night, being just awash. The position given is; Stephens Island bears East, a quarter North, magnetic, miles.

A Wellington Press Association telegram this afternoon states; outcome of a conference last night, deputation waited upon the Ministoi of Internal Affairs to-day, and urge; the necessity of passing this session legislation to abolish objectionable films. The Hon. Mr Russell, replying, said the agitation begun by the Catholic Federation already had ban an excellent result, and had largeh wiped out the efforts of a certain c ass of people to exploit the worst side oi human nature. Provided the Cabinet was prepared to grant the time to consider the matter, steps would be taken to bring a Bill before Parliament that picture-films shown m this country might be put on a footing whereby, instead of being injurious to children, they would be for then-bene-fit. Personally, he hoped such a BU. would be dealt with this session.

A copv of the annual report of St. Uunstan’s Hostel for blinded soldiers and sailors (London), has been received at this office. A start was made at the hostel (placed at the disposal of the committee by Mr Otto Kahn, an American) with 14 blinded soldiers on March 26, 1915. This number has steadily grown, and there are now at St. Dunstau’s or in the annexes, a total of 140 non-commissioned officers and men, among whom are include five Australians, two New Zealanders, and seven Canadians. Ten officersnre also receiving instruction at St. Dunstan's. Fifty-one men have passed out from tho Hostel, having learned one or more of the following occupations : Boot repairing, mat making, net making, basket niaking, joinery, poultry farming, and, market gardening, while one officer bars qualified as a masseur. Several men who occupier secretarial positions before they joined the army are learning Braille shorthand. The Remington Typewriter Co. have built special typewriters for those men and men who have lost one hand. The important work of teach' ing the blinded men is under the supervision of Mr H. Martin, uho was for some years superintendent of the Swiss College school for the blind. -A large settled sum will be needed for this work if is is to prove permanently useful, as those men have given very much for the Country, it is the duty of the people to take every moans in their power to ensure that they are placed in a position successfully to fight their stern battle ■against so terrible a handicap as the loss of sight. Subscriptions and donations should be addressed to the secictary. St. Dunstan’s. Regent’s Park, London, N.W.