LATE MESSAGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 March 1937, Page 2

LATE MESSAGES

BLENHEIM, March 16

The confident hope that the South Island main trunk line would be completed in 1940. coinciding with New Zealand’s centenary, was expressed by the Minister of Railways (Hon. D. G. Sullivan), at a complimentary dinner in Kaikoura, last evening. Satisfaction with the future line for the purposes of commerce and the development of the territory through which it passed, was referred to by the Minister. who stressed the fact that the Public Works Department, was looking well to the future of the line, in that the type of construction was designed to assist in attaining fast, speeds. In the course of an interview, the Minister mentioned that it was the first time he had seen any major railway construction work under the present regime. He confessed to feeling a thrill of pride at seeing the pace at which modern machines and methods were forging through the big undertaking. The Minister completed his first tour of inspection of the line, with his arrival at Blenheim, this afternoon, accompanied by chief Railways officials. LONDON, March 15. The House of Lords passed the Empire Settlement Bill. RUGBY. March 15. M. Sandler and Madame Sandler have arrived at Croydon, as guests of the British Government. In addition to talks with Messrs Baldwin. Ruriciman, and Eden, M. Sandler will be received by the King. He is to visit Paris, before returning to Stockholm. « - . BRUSSELS, March 15. The momentous by-election has been fixed for April 11. The Premier (M. Van Zeeland) will be supported by the Catholics. Liberals, Socialists and Communists. the last-mentioned regarding him as representing anti-Fascist opinion. while M. Degrelle is regarded as a. follower of Hitler and Mussolini. M. Van Zeeland's election is thought to he ceriain, but the fight will be very bitter.

The figures will show whether the Rexists are making the progress they claim. DANZIG, March 15. Ry a ruse, the Nazi Party, in the Diet, rapidly secured the two-thirds majority required io enable it legally to change the Constitution. Herr Brill, leader of the Social Democratic Party, has been released, after a long period of protective arrest. Ho has resigned his seat, on the ground of health. Herr Crossman, his successor, announced his conversion to Nazism. His example was followed by iwo other new deputies. 'Pin 1 Nazis need now to get only two more seats. SUVA. March Hi. Arrived. Opawa. from London: Mariposa. from San Francisco. PARIS. March 15. History was made when Cardinal Verdier. Archbishop of Paris, broadcast a Defence Loan appeal. He said that Frenchmen knew how to make sacrifices for their country’s security. M. Ilerriot. who is a confessed agnostic. followed a similar lines. MADRID, March 15. The insurgents, after Saturday's retreat, are reforming behind their original lines, with a view to a counterattack. Meanwhile, the Loyalists are

bombing all rebel troop concentrations. 'Phe position generally is nnclranged, both sides demanding a rest after the savage exhausting interchange oi attack and coiniler-atlack. A novelty of the dcteiiee oi Madlid is a propaganda gnu. which hurls leallets, newspapers. and photographs of captured Italians into the rebel lines. Madrid is now a veritable fortress. It is short of food, but is crammed with ammunition, and is prepared to withstand to the last, the most desperate rebel attack. I GORE. March 10. In .connection with Mr. Semples allegation of “squealing’’ to the Press, tiio men on the Public Works job at Pukerau. this morning, complained lilDwiy of Mr. Semple's use of the. term "squealing." Nothing was released for the Press they said, although the mon reserved the tight to appeal to the Press in cases ot extreme hardship. During

his recent visit to Southland, the Minister passed through Pukerau. but never came near the job, and did nor. receive a deputation which called on him io outline their grievances. The deputation was received by the engineer for the Department; COPENHAGEN. March 15. A Bill has been introduced in Parliament, providing for the control of all prices, by a council, nine being nominated by the King, and the remainder by the Minister of Trade. The measure is regarded as revolutionary, but will probably become law, as there is a Labour majority in both Houses. The Bill provides .that all engaged in the regulation of the prices of production or distribution must notify the Council of the likelihood of price fluctuations.