CABLE NEWS IN BRIEF

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25091, 24 January 1947, Page 7

CABLE NEWS IN BRIEF

Viscount Bruce’s Title.—Viscount Bruce, the former High Commissioner for Australia in London, has decided to take the title of Viscount Bruce of Melbourne. In a cable message to the Lord Mayor of Melbourne (Cr. Connelly), Viscount Bruce said: “Desire to take tile title of Bruce of Melbourne, the birthplace of my wife and myself if yoti and your citizens are agreeable.” Cr. Connelly replied: “I am deeply conscious of the compliment to Melbourne offered by you. and I assure you of our wholehearted appreciation here.”—London. January 22.

Nearly 20,000 Deserters.—Nearly 20,000 deserters from the British forces are hiding in the United Kingdom and abroad, said the Minister of Defence (Mr A. V. Alexander) in the House of Commons. They had no civilian standing, and that in many cases was leading to an underground existence. No amnesty would be allowed, but if the men surrendered voluntarily before March 31 that and. other mitigating circumstances would be taken into account.—London, January 22. Marine Convicted on Rape Charge. —A United States naval court-martial

in Peiping convicted a marine corporal, William Pierson, on a charge of raping a Chinese girl, aged 19, on Christmas Eve. Sentence will not be announced until approved by a higher authority. The incident started a series of anti-American demonstrations in various Chinese cities.— Peiping, January 22.

De Gaulle Refuses Decoration.— General de Gaulle has refused to accept the Medaille Militaire which the French Government is awarding to Mr Churchill, Mr Stalin, and posthumously to Mr Roosevelt. General de Gaulle said that the acts for which the medal would be given him were accomplished when he represented the State, and it was inconceivable that a State or government should decorate itself.—Paris, January 22.

Indian Naval Mutiny.—The flag officer named in the inquiry commission report into the Royal Indian Navy mutiny in 1946, was incorrectly identified by the Associated Press on January 20 as Vice-Admiral J. H. Godfrey. Later investigation revealed that while Vice-Admiral Godfrey flew to Bombay on February 20, 1946, the day before the mutineers exchanged fire with the British military, he was not the Bombay flag officer at the time.—New Delhi, January 22.

Sydney Dockyards Dispute.—A resumption of work at Sydney ship repair and building establishments now hinges bn a meeting of employees to be held to-morrow. Since 62 employers closed their yards on November 27, 200,000 tons of shipping await urgent repairs and conversion. When the employers decided to end the lockout last Monday, the response was disappointing.—Sydney, January 23.

Al Capone Ont of Danger.—A doctor said that “Scarface” Al Capone was now entirely out of danger, barring complications.—Miami, January 23.

Cars for Germans. —The Allied Control Commission in Germany is selling German businessmen a mass-produced people’s car for 4000 marks, which is nominally £ 100, but actually represents 800 cigarettes or 81b of tobacco, says the “Evening Standard’s” correspondent in Hamburg. The British serviceman pays £l6O. A German factory is now producing 1000 of these cars a month.— London, January 22. Dutch Liner in Trouble.—The Dutch liner Tasman, which has been working Australian ports for some months, in spite of the ban by the watersiders, struck tfouble when attempting her usual practice of leaving Melbourne for Sydney without a tug. A rope fouled her rudder and propellers, and, after 24 hours work, divers are still uftable to release the ship.—Melbourne, January 23. Higher Pay for N.S.W. Police^—Discontent in the New South Wale> police force is expected to vanish as a result of the announcement of a new award which gives constables a rise of £5O a year and probationary constables £l6. The recent basic wage rise of 7s a week will be added to the new rates. The new rates, exclusive of the basic increases, range from £335 for a first-year constable to £506 for sergeants, first-class, with more than five years’ service. The new award was made by agreement after private conferences.—Sydney, January 23. , ~,