BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 June 1926, Page 5

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

(Australian and N.Z. Cab’* Awociatiuß.) (By Cable —Press Assn. —Copyright)

RAILWAY SMASH.

PARIS, June 21.

When travelling ut a speed of fifty miles an hour, the Bordeaux express left the rails at Tours, and two carriages overturned. One carriage broke its couplings, and toppled -over an embankment. The following coach then crashed into the luggage van, and telescoped it. Six were rilled and thirty-six were injured.

ITALIAN BUDGET. ROME, June 21.

The success of the Fascist regime is shown by the Italian National Budget, which lias a credit balance of 811 million lire, whereas there was a deficit of 164 million lire at the end of May 1925'. Part of the Budget balance is earmarked for economic. reconstruction and military defence.

CHINESE AGREEMENT.

SHANGHAI, June 21.

A Japanese semi-official report from Tiantain states that delegates from Wu Pei Fu and Chang-tsolin held final pourparlers, and decided that Yen’s Cabinet should announce its resignation on June. 22, and that the two war lords should enter Pekin on June 24 and decide the. personnel of the future Cabinet after an interview there. It is expected that eaph will noininaffe half of the Cabinet., , LIQUOR DUTIES. >. LONDON, June 20. The, “Financial. , News”,-.- expresses the opinion that oh the expiration of the Spanish and Portuguese-treaties shortly, the British Government will reduce the heavyduties./on.. hoinemade spirits, and increase the duty on port and other highly spirituous wines, thus increasing.,the consumption of whisky. The minimum age oi whisky will shortly be increased from three to five years. ■ ATTACK ON AMERICANS' PEKIN, June:2l. The British Consul at Chengtu, reported that (Miss Manly, -.an American, was dragged by. a .Chinese from her rickshaw in an attempt to strangle her, but' she was rescued by the bystanders and the assailant was arrested. As a result of the Consul’s .representations, the authorities issued a proclamation to the effect that’ any Chinese molesting foreigners would be arrested and shot. ~r

INTRUDER AT PALACE. LONDON, June i: 2o.

The “Daily Express” disclose? the fact that at two o’clock on Saturaay morning, a policeman patrolling the grounds at Buckingham Palace saw a prowler in the path leading, to the King’s apartments. .■ He did not answer the policeman’s challenge. He was captured and proved to be a sailor. He could not explain how he entered the grounds, or why. Their Majesties, however, are at present at Windsor Castle, whither an urgent report has been sent to the King, .who will decide if there is to be a prosecution.

WEST HAM, GUARDIANS. LONDON, June 21.

Following the West Ham Board of Poor Law- Guardians’, refusal to abate their, scale i of'.relief-for the unemployed, amounting to ■ 55/- per week for a man, his wife,; f-and I ,.family of six children, Sir Neville Chamberlain states the “Daily i Mail” has issued an. ultimatum: to . the; Guardians, refusing any further loans,- and threatening to ,supersede* the; Guardians when the existing funds are exhausted. It is pointed out (says the “Daily; t Mail”) /tfidt the: Guardians are bankrupt, and . that they owe the Ministry of Health £1,970,000, besides [having a 1 bank ' <dverdrUft of £390,000.

SHIPBUILDING PROFITEERS. LONDON, . June 20.

The Shipbuilding Committee. published a report severely criticising the price rings for. charging from , one to two hundred ,per cent, above, pre-war prices -for lead,' paint/ upholstery, ropes, electrical cables,: castings, and sanitary outfits, while > at the *same time selling to foreigners at a cheaper rate than to the British.' shipbuilders. The Board of Trade has now promised to make an investigation, with a view to securing 'relief. The Committee adds that greater elasticity of organisation and the loyal observance of the forty-seven hour week will enable the greater portion of ‘ the ship-repairing now going on on the Continent to be retained in Britain. ;