CABLE NEWS. BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Feilding Star, 30 May 1907, Page 4

CABLE NEWS. BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

« IB r Elkctrio Trlbobaph— Copyright) [per press association.] UNREST IN INDIA. London, May 29. Reuter's Simla correspondent states that the political situation is more reassuring though the extremist newspapers everywhere are bitterly hostile and seditious, and preaching sustained resistance to British rule. Agitators in the Punjab are utilising agrarian grievances to fan animosity against the Government and Europeans. ANTI-MILITARISM. Yielding to the pressure of the antimilitaridts, Mr Haldane has modified the Army Bill, excluding State school scholars under 16 from the operation of the clause empowering country associations to establish school cadet corps and rifle clubs. MUTUAL ADMIRATION. A large meeting of the Fabians, the Independent Labor Party and the Women's Labor League at Essex Hall tendered a farewell to Mr Hughes. Mr Ramsey Mac Donald, President, attributed much of the British Labor Party's suoces at the recent elections to the stimulating influence of the first Australian Labor Ministry, of which Mr Hughes was a member. Mr Hughes said the British and Australian Labor Parties were fighting exactly •the same battle except that while Australia was the corner stone of the Australian Labor policy be considered the British Party attached too much importance to the fiscal issue. THE EDUCATION CONFERENCE. Dr. Hogben has arranged for the Conference's use five exhibit photos of New Zealand school life. The Conference discussed the possibility of closer uniformity in curricula nomenclature, and methods of presenting official educational statistics. Lord Elgin, presiding at the public afternoon sitting, advocated a coordinate system of education from the elementary sohools to the University. Dr. Hogben described the secondary schools in New Zealand. Mr Carter, of Sydney, urged the formation of an Imperial Council of Education to consider all suggested schemes. Such a Council would prove a real help to the colonies and every part of the Empire, since all could apply for information. ; The technical section discussed technical education in the colonies. THE BUTTER BILL. The special committee on the Butter Bill agreed to Sir J. Strachey's amendment that only milk-blended butter should be recognised as a butter substitute, all imitations of butter to be classed as margarine. GENERAL BOTHA'S RETURN. Capetown, May 29. General Botha, replying to the municipal welcome at Capetown, said he firmly believed that the British were encouraging every endeavour to build South Africa into a strong united peoplesiinilar to the Canadians and Australians. He was unable to go further at the Conference than he did until the Transvaal fully discussed preference. The Liberal Association presented an address applauding General Botha and Sir Wilfrid Laurier for preventing the Conference from taking hasty ill-considered action regarding preference. Imperial defence, and Imperial Council. TRANSVAAL'S FINANCIAL POSITION. Pretoria, May 29. Opening the Intercolonial Council at Pretoria, Lord Selbourne said the financial position of the two colonies had materially grown worse. The Budget showed a shortage of £180,---000, while the estimates for coming year anticipated a reduction of revenue and expenditure by £700,000. THE ARMY BILL. London, May 28. With the assistance of the closure the Army Bill, providing for the establishment of a country association for the purpose of assisting in the reorganisation and administration of military forces other than regulars, was carried, an amendment providing for retention of the existing system of militia being rejected by 260 to 80. An amendment excluding Yeomanry from the control of country associations was also negatived. , JAPAN AND AMERICA. A Tokio telegram, supposed to be inspired by the Japanese Foreign Office, states that a repetition of unprovoked attack on Japanese in 'Frisco will have serious results and retaliation by Japan on Americans. New York, May 29. . The 'Frisco newspapers continue to stir up trouble, freely predicting that the time will come when America must fight Japan.