CABLE NEWS IN BRIEF

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24815, 4 March 1946, Page 5

CABLE NEWS IN BRIEF

Meat Shipment Arrives.— The liner Athlone Castle has arrived in Southampton with the largest consignment of New Zealand meat since the war, totalling 87,000 carcasses of lamb and mutton, and 2450 cases of preserved meat.—London, March 1. Venezia Giulia Region.— Jugoslav forces in the eastern half of the disputed Venezia Giulia region have been heavily augmented, states a report from the United States Army and Navy commanders in the Mediterranean theatres, Lieutenant-General R. E. Lee and Rear-Admiral Jules James, after an inspection of the area. The Rome correspondent of the Associated Press says the British, American, Russian, and French commission, expected in Trieste soon, will make recommendations for fixing a permanent boundary. The American commanders’ report expressed satisfaction with the results of the British-American occupation of the western half of Venezia Giulia. “We saw nothing to justify the lamented report of strife and disorder, in spite of great political interest, that is only to be expected on the eve of the settlement of so important a territorial question,” the report said. —London, March 2.

Trials of Japanese.— The trials of Japanese accused of war crimes before the international tribunal at Tokyo will last at least a year, said Mr Borgerhoff Mulder, who will represent Holland at the trials. He will leave for Tokyo to-morrow. —The Hague, March 1. General Motors Wage Dispute.—-The United Automobile Workers’ Union has proposed that the dispute with General Motors be submitted to’ an arbitrator named by President Truman. Union leaders said that if the corporation accepted arbitration they would recommend the men to return to work under the terms of the corporation’s latest proposals pending a report by the arbitrator, whose decision would be binding on both parties. The corporation’s offer included an increase of 18| cents in the hourly wage rate. The union has been insisting on the standards recommended by Mr Truman’s fact-finding board, including a wage increase of 19& cents. —New York. March 2.

World Council of Churches.—The provisional committee of the World Council of Churches has issued a warning that execution and vengeance against our enemies will only bring disaster to the world. The committee was established at the recent Geneva conference. Its message condemns former enemies being deprived of the necessities of life, mass expulsions, and attempts to wreak vengeance in any other manner. “The world stands between life and death, and men are going the way of death. We pray to God the United Nations will choose the way of life.”—London, March 1.

Evacuation From Levant.— British and French military missions have begun serious consultations on the evacuation of troops from the Levant. The Lebanese delegations to the United Nations have arrived in Paris. A French Foreign Office spokesman announced that French troops would begin evacuation before the end of March. —Paris, March 1. Government Advertising Refused.— The directors of the London publishing firm of Benn Brothers, Ltd., have declined to accept further Government advertising for their 15 trade and technical journals. They say that while the war lasted it was considered necessary to accommodate Government announcements, but. with the paper shortage still as serious as ever, it was no longer possible to allow Government departments to occupy advertising space so badly wanted by business concerns struggling to win back their position in the markets.—London. March 1.

British Heavy-weight to Fight in U.S. —The British Empire heavy-weight boxing champion, Bruce Woodcock, is coming to the United States in May. His first appearance will be at Madison Square Garden on May 13, against the Detroit heavy-weight, Lee Oama.— New York, March 1. Norwegian Woman Condemned.— Pretty Maggi Anderson, aged 25, was sentenced to death for espionage and for informing during the German occupation. She is the first woman sentenced to death in Norway’s history, but a judge and jury unanimously recommended mercy. Anderson was at first an underground worker, but was caught by the Germans and released on consenting to turn informer.—Oslo, March 1.

Scientific Conferences.— Measures to achieve a greater degree of collaboration in practical scientific problems throughout the Empire are among the matters which will be discussed at important conferences in June and July, first at the Empire scientific conference under the auspices of the Royal Society, which the King will open on June 17, at the Commonwealth scientific officials conference to be held from July 7 to 20, and at the Imperial agricultural review conference postponed from 1941. Scientists from most parts of the Empire will attend.—London, March 2. Indian Navy Mutiny.— A Southern Command Headquarters communique states that the guards mounted on Royal Indian Navy ships after the unconditional surrender of the mutineers are being withdrawn to-day. Guards of Royal Indian Navy shore establishments are being reduced s and, in some cases, withdrawn. All troops sent to deal with the recent rioting, except four infantry pickets, have now been withdrawn from Bombay city.—Bombay, March 1.

Constitution of 1.L.0. — The United Kingdom draft proposals for the amendment of the constitution of the International Labour Office-has been issued as a White Paper. The United Kingdom proposes that membership of the United Nations should entitle any State to membership of the 1.L.0., upon formal acceptance of the office’s constitution, and also that no member of the 1.L.0. should be allowed to withdraw without two years’ notice, and without fulfilling all the financial obligations of membership.—London, March 2.

National Planning of Shipping.— The president (Mr J. P. Maclay) told the annual meeting of the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom that the continuation of private enterprise should not exclude the possibility or desirability of national planning by the shipowner, or in consultation with the Government. “I think it is imperative for our industries to work in constant co-operation with the Government. We should be able freely to discuss problems between ourselves and the Government without constant fear.” Industry needed to watch that the international co-operative schemes were not merely a means of enabling other nations to try to obtain a larger share of British trade.—London, March 2. German Bankers Arrested.—The Americans have arrested 34 highranking bankers in Germany, including the so-called “phantom’’ industrialist, Frederick Flick, manyfold millionaire and director Of the Bank of Dresden, reports the Frankfurt correspondent of the Associated Press. Investigators are seeking evidence for the indictment of these men that they benefited from the spoils of Nazi aggression.—New York, March. 2. Greek Elections.—An EAM delegation called on the Greek Prime Minister (Mr Sofoulis) and demanded the postponement of the Greek General Election for two months. They threatened that the party would boycott the elections if they were held on March 31.—Athens, March X