TOO POPULAR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 29, 14 November 1949, Page 5

TOO POPULAR

BRITISH TABLE TENNIS PLAYERS

CZECHS STOP TOUR

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright), PRAGUE,'Nov. 12.

The Czechoslovak tour by a British table tennis team which has drawn big crowds, who cheered the British competitors? was. stopped last night by the Czech National Sports Organisation. ProBritish demonstrations staged at a time when the entire nation is expected to celebrate special days of Soviet-Czech friendship were reliably stated as a reason for the cancellation of the tour. -

The British team is now back in Prague and has been invited to stay as guests instead of competitors. The cancellation of the tour followed a series of wins by trie British side and criticism of the Czech Sports Organisation, for failing to arrange,, better opposition. Czechoslovakia’s recent trade agreement with Britain must be regarded as proof that correct co-operation was possible between countries with different political and economic systems, said the Minister of Trade (Mr Antonin Gregor). “The agreement denies all calumnies about the exclusive Eastern orientation of Czechoslovak trade,” he added.

Frontiers Sealed

Czechoslovakia, has sealed her western borders against all travel, including diplomatic and commercial from early evening till morning. Western diplomats were notified,of the’ ban by letter, but no reason for it was given nor were they told how. long the ban would remain in force. Foreign travel by Czech nationals has been practically banned since November 1. , The Communist Minister of Internal Trade (Mr Frantisek Krajcir) announced the extension of the nationalisation of private industry and said that 30,000 workers whose jobs would consequently be eliminated would be transferred to other jobs—probably factories and mines.

More than 78 per cent, of Czechoslovakia’s wholesale business had been nationalised by the end of last June, a Communist member of Parliament, Mr Josef Jura, told the workers. Future wage payments would be based on the individual producer’s merits and bonus systems would be instituted. He denounced absenteeism as a crime. -

Only civil marriages will be legally recognised in Czechoslovakia under the new family law effective j from January 1, although, criurch ceremonies could follow the authorised civil ceremony, said the Minister of the Interior (Mr Vaclav Nosek) to-day. He said the new laAv would make divorce more difficult and abolish-the system of separation of married people. It would alter the family status, do away with a special powefe and share responsibility and property equally between both parties. 'i <•