CABLE BREVITIES Egypt States Policy On The Sudan

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 November 1947, Page 7

CABLE BREVITIES Egypt States Policy On The Sudan

The Egyptian Government would continue to press its demands for unity of the Nile Valley and the evacuation of British troops from Egypt and the Sudan, said King Farouk, opening the twenty-third session of the Egyptian Parliament. “If Britain finally decides to accept Egypt’s demands, the two countries' could, within the framework of the United Nations, consolidate their relations on a basis of equality and sovereignty.” King Farouk said that Egypt considered that any solution of the Palestine problem which did not recognise the Arabs’ right to independence" and unity would be doomed to failure and would gravely threaten Middle East security—Cairo, November 12.

Occupation of Germany Replying to questions in the House of Commons, the Foreign Secretary (Mr Ernest Bevin) said that so far as could .be foreseen, the need to occupy Germany for at least five years still existed. A proportion of the present staff of the Control Commission had agreements covering employment for about five years, and the question of offering agreements for a longer period was being considered. —London, November 13.

New Regime In Siam A Foreign Office spokesman said that the leader of the coup in Siam, Field-Marshal Songgram, had informed the British Minister in Bangkok that the new Siafnese Government would honour its international obligations,, which include the supplying of rice io India and southeast Asia. The spokesman said that Britain’s attitude to the new Government was still being- discussed.— London, November 12.

Former Italian Colonies The Ethiopian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs (Mr" Aklilou Abte" Wold) told the Foreign Ministers’ Commission that Ethiopia demanded the return of the former Italian coloonies of Eritrea and Somaliland because Italy had been there only since 1885, while Eritrea'was the cradle of Ethiopian civilisation and linguistically, culturally, and spiritually united with'Ethiopia. Ethiopian foreign commerce at present was obliged, to pay transit dues to the surrounding territories which blocked her from the sea. Ethiopia could not tolerate such a situation.—London, Nov. 12.

Princess Attends Ball Silent strikers and pickets of the Savoy Hotel staff last night watched Princess Elizabeth arrive at. the hotel for a flower ball in aid of the College for the Training of the Disabled. The pickets, who earlier in the evening had been parading before the Savoy entrahce at intervals of 30 vards, were cleared by augmented police to the other side of the street. The Princess passed placards which they were carrying. Volunteer girls from the hotel flower shoo and cashiers helped to wait on the guests. Dancing went on, unaffected by the strike:—London, November 12.

Food Parcels for Britain With the object of supplying the names of persons in need to persons in the Dominions and other overseas countries who desire to send food parcels to Britain, the British Women’s Voluntary Services Organisation 18 months, ago established a personal parcels service which has had considerable success. Under this scheme the organisation, personally investigates individual cases in all its areas and compiles a list of persons who need assistance. The names of persons on this list are then supplied to any inauirers from the Dominions or elsewhere abroad.—London, November 13.

Treatment Of Indians During a debate on the treatment of Indians in South Africa, the New Zealand delegate, Sir Carol Berendsen, today told the Political Committee of the United Nations General Assembly: “No one in his right senses would suggest that the situation in South Africa constitutes a threat to peace and security. The Assembly should refrain from any decision,of substance, and should refer the matter at once to the International Court of Justice to resolve the legal doubts involved in the question.” Sir ''Carl Berendsen opposed an Indian resolution proposing a round-table conference between the parties to the dispute.—New York, November 12.

Ukraine and Security Council India withdrew today from the long fight with the Soviet and the Ukraine for the eleventh seat on the United Nations Security Council. The decision, announced to the press by Mrs Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, leader of the Indian delegation, resolved in Russia’s favour one of the most bitter Ameri-can-Soviet deadlocks in the United Nations General Assembly. It assures the election of the Ukraine to succeed Poland on the Council on January 1. Mrs Pandit emphasised that India was not accepting the present geographical allocation of seats on the Security Council, which, she said, “is so unfair to Asia and leaves such vital and well-defined areas without representation in the Council.” —New York, November 12. Dress Rehearsal At Palace Princess Elizabeth and her bridesmaids have had a private dress rehearsal at Buckingham Palace. Because it is considered unlucky for a bride to wear her dress before her wedding day, part of the hem was left unfinished and was completed after the rehearsal. The dress will not be touched now until November 20. Queen Mary has chosen a blue and gold' gown for the Royal wedding with a flowing hip-length cape of aquamarine chenille velvet embossed on gold tissue. The dress is ground length in front and trails slightly at the back. It has a high neckline and long sleeves. Her hat is a toque of similar swathed material with ostrich feathers. _ She will wear the star and blue ribbon of the Order of the Garter and a high collar of pearls and a diamond necklace. —London, November 12.

Britain’s Coal Prospects A Washington message says that jyir Lewis Douglas, the United States Ambassador to Britain, impressed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee investigating the Marshall plan with. a spirited defence of Britain. “If Britain tackles her coal problem vigorously,” he said, “she will increase her present output per man shift from 1.16 tons to nearly two tons. It cannot be done overnight. Readjustments and new capital are needed. But it can be done. Britain’s coal plight today, as with nearly all her industrial problems, is a direct re'sult of her dedicating all her energies and efforts to the war. She dedicated more manpower resources and wealth to the prosecution of the war than any other combatant, Germany included. I am not sure that Britain will produce

214.000.000 tons of coal next year, as was promised in Paris, but of this you can be sure —she will make every effort to do so.”—London, November 13.