CABLE NEWS IN BRIEF

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24981, 16 September 1946, Page 5

CABLE NEWS IN BRIEF

French Lose Railway Engine.—The French National Railway Company has lost an engine, which left the shed at Hausbergen, on the way to Saint Dizier, in Lorraine, and has not been seen since. Railway workers have been instructed to make a thorough search.—Paris, September 14. Sugar Price Rises in U.S.—The U.S. Office of Price Administration has announced that the retail price of sugar is increased 2 cents per lb from the present average price of 7| cents per lb. The Associated Press estimates that the increase will add 200,000,000 dollars to the cost of living in 1947. Government experts say that it may be two years before world supplies of sugar are sufficient to restore America’s pre-war consumption of 1001 b yearly for each individual. At present it is 721b.—Washington, September 13. Coal Supply in Britain*—The electricity supply companies, replying to the denial by the Minister of Fuel (Mr Emanuel Shinwell) that electricity will have to be rationed in the coming winter, said: “The industry is of the opinion that serious curtailment of supply is inevitable unless additional coal is made available forthwith. The industry would be glad to be taken into Mr Shinwell’s confidence as to how. when, and where the additional coal is forthcoming.”—London, Sept. 14. Mysterious “Meteors” Over France. —People in Nancy, France, have reported seeing mysterious “meteors” flashing through the sky from south to north on Thursday night, states Reuter’s correspondent in Paris, One eyewitness said they could not possibly have been the lights of aircraft or of shooting stars. Two luminous globes linked by a line of fire followed by a phosphorescent tail, moving far more quickly than the fastest fighter aeroplane, crossed the sky.—London, Sep-

Indians in South Africa.—“lt would be most unreasonable to expect India to celebrate the Royal visit to South Africa," says the Natal Indian Congress in a letter to the Durban committee responsible for the arrangements for the tour. Proposing a postponement, the letter says that while Indians in South Africa held Their Majesties in the greatest respect, they were now passing through a critical stage of the passive resistance movement.—Durban, September 13. New Post for Sir Ben Smith.—Sir Ben Smith, formerly Minister of Food has resigned from the House of Commons following the announcement of his appointment as chairman of the West Midlands Divisional Coal Board. —London, September 13. War Criminal Executed.—Lieuten-ant-General Takashi Sakai, the conqueror of Hong Kong, was executed by a firing squad before a crowd of 2000 Chinese. A Chinese military tribunal convicted Sakai of atrocities against prisoners and civilians and of conspiring at early Japanese encroachments in North China.—Nanking. September 14.

Fires in New South Wales.—Although a cooler change is making its presence felt, fires are still threatening large areas of New South Wales. In North Sydney outbreaks of fire almost claimed a large furniture store. All brigades were called to the alert to deal with fires raging for more than a mile on each side, of the main south highway near Cronulla. Volunteers from a dance at Casino, north New South Wales, fought bush fires for several hours. Losses throughout the state include timber mills, standing timber, and farm buildings. The State Government has introduced the most drastic fire-preventing regulations in the history of New South Wales.— Sydney, September 15.

Air Marshal Weds.—Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Pierse, formerly Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, India, has married in London the former Lady Auchinleck, whose marriage to Field-Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck was dissolved in June this year.— London, September 14. Lidice to be Rebuilt.—Lidice, which has been a meadow since the Nazis razed it and executed all the males in June, 1942, became a corporation today with a capital of £lOO,OOO. The Czech Parliament has established an organisation to administer donations from many lands for the reconstruction of the town near the original site. British mine workers have been large subscribers.—Prague. September Battle of Britain Commemorated.—

Three hundred fighter aeroplanes flew over London to-day in mass formation to commemorate the Battle of [Britain. The parade consisted of 31 R.A.F. one naval air service, three United States Army, and seven Polish squadrons. Bombers of the 35th Squadron, which has just returned from a goodwill visit to America, led the fly past.—London, September 14.

Strike Threatened at Port Moresby. --Reports reaching Sydney indicate that 200 civil servants, including patrol officers, at Port Moresby are threatening to strike. They claim that Government officers have failed to rectify grievances as promised and that the men live in Belsen-like barracks while building materials are being lavishly employed on extensive renovations at Government House.—Sydney, September 15.

Refitting of Liner Queen Elizabeth*— The Queen, Princess Elizabeth, and Princess Margaret will board the liner Queen Elizabeth when she undergoes trials off Greenocj; on October 8, after refitting at Southampton.—London, September 14.