CABLE NEWS IN BRIEF

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24985, 20 September 1946, Page 7

CABLE NEWS IN BRIEF

Italian Financial Crisis.—The Italian Prime Minister (Mr de Gasperi) appealed in the Assembly for unity among parties. He promised measurA for resolving the financial crisis—basically, stabilisation of the liraagrarian reforms, and new taxes on industry, land, and real estate. In the subsequent debate Mr Lambardo. an Action Party deputy, said Mr de Gasperi had ignored what the country had been asking for the last 15 days of the crisis—when the Government would in fact govern?—Rome September 18.

Flight to South Africa.—A Vickers Viking aircraft from the King’s Flight will leave at midnight to-night on a £ roving flight to South Africa, carryig two crews, one of which will be captained by the New Zealander, Wing Commander E. W. Tacon. D. 5.0., D.F.C. The aviation correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that the King will travel to South Africa by warship, but the flight will follow, and is likely to be used extensively during the Royal tour, which will last from February to April.—London. September .18.

Sunspots Interrupt Communications. —Sunsppts on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning seriously Interrupted radio and cable communications throughout the world. All wireless companies to-day report transmission difficulties, and the cables are also affected, catiung long delays on all newspaper traffic.—New York. September

Cargo Pillagfag at Singapore.—“ Because ot pillaging on the wharves at Singapore the shipment of Australian cargoes to that port has been delayed about .two months." said the secretary of the Australian Exporters' Federation (Mr A. J. R. Birch) to-day. “Australian exports valued at many thousands of pounds have already been pillaged this year. / To restrict thieves the Singapore officials will not allow more cargoes to be landed until the overcrowded wharves had been cleared.”—Sydney. September M.

New Breed of Russian Horse.—“ Russia has produced a 10 horse-power horse,” says Reuter’s correspondent in Moscow, who quotes the Moscow paper “Izvestia" as saying: “Horse breeders in the Vladimir Province have established a new breed of equine giants capable of doing the work of 10 ordinary horses.”—London, September 18. New South Wales Road Accident—A woman was killed and seven persons were injured when a tourist bus and a semi-trailer lorry collided on the winding Jenolan Caves road, in New South Wales.. Eleven others received cuts and bruises. The bus. which was returning to Katoomba from the Jenolan Caves, had one side torn away. The police arrested a man and charged him with manslaughter and dangerous driving.—Sydney. September 19. Australian Airlines Competition.— Ttans-Australia Airlines, which is the operating company for the Federal Government’s National Airlines Commission, has reduced the passenger fare between Melbourne and Sydney by 15 per cent. This makes the regular adult fare £5 10s fid. The company has abolished the system of passengers having to sign tickets, and is now selling them in the same manner as tram or train tickets. A rival private company, Australian National Airways, has announced that it will ignore the Civil Aviation Department’s instructions on priority. The terms of the mail contract bind it to carry priority passengers. “Apparently the fight is now on,” commented the managing director, Captain Ivan Holyman.— Sydney, September 19.

Displaced Persons in U.S. The United States Commander in Europe (Lieutenant-General J. T. McNamey) has issued a statement appealing to 400 non-Jewish displaced persons in the American zone of Germany to return to their home countries. regardless of the conditions there. Lieutenant-General McNamey said it was manifestly impossible for America to continue operating displaced persons’ camps indefinitely.—Frankfurt September 19.

Clergyman Criticises Funeral Crowd. -“Three-quarters of those who attended the funeral of the jockey Jimmy Duncan, who was killed when riding in a race at Randwick, did so from sheer curiosity,” said the Rev. Peter Williams, who conducted the funeral service. Newspaper estimates placed the attendance at 7000. Extra police were called out and at the cemetery people trampled and threw debris on the graves and created disturbances. I saw men and women crying like babies,” said Mr Williams. “Probably they had never seen Duncan in their lives, and they knew nothing of him or his career. The public glamorised fig sad occasion.”—Sydney. September High Commissioner in India.—The Dominions Office has announced that Mr Terence Shone. British Minister at Beirut, has been appointed United Kingdom High Commissioner in India, representing the British Government in all matters except those in which the Government will continue to act through the Viceroy (Lord Wavell). Mr Shone’s primary functions will be the maintenance of British and Indian economic and financial relations.— London, September 18.

British Pacific Air Service.—An Australian National Airways Skymaster landed at the Oakland municipal airport on the first familiarisation flight from Australia, and continued its journey to Vancouver.—San Francisco, September 18. China’s Economic Policy.—The Chinese Foreign Minister (Mr Wang Shinhchieh), emphasising China’s eagerness to attract foreign capital and technical skill as a means of developing her resources. said the Government would follow the open door policy of granting equal economic opportunities on a reciprocal basis to all nations without discrimination. China at present was negotiating commercial pacts with Britain and America, and was expected to make similar agreements with Russia and France.—Nanking, Sept Ifi.