OFFICIAL WIRELESS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1928, Page 1

OFFICIAL WIRELESS

[Special to Press' Assn, by Radio.]

CHINESE RAILWAYS

LARGE DEBTS TO BRITISH FIRMS.

RUGBY, July 9

Sir Austen Chamberlain stated in the House, in answer to a question, that ho had no information as to whether the retiring Chinese Northern tro’ops had carried off GOOO goods waggons and 300 locomotives, being practically half of the rolling stock of the railway north of tho Yang-tsc-kiang. Other facts stated in the Sjame question were substantially correct, namely that two British firms were owed over £1,000,000 lor rolling stock, towards which nothing had be.en paid since 1922, and that large sums of money were also owed to British firms for railway material. Sir A listen Chamberlain added tha t constant efforts had been made l>y the British Minister in the past to secure payment of those debts by the Chinese authorities, but, owing to the fact that, the railways were the chief instruments of civil war, it was impossible to expect any result until some form of unified control emerged. Nevertheless, the British Minister’s efforts to secure pa.yirfent of these commercial debts would not be relaxed.

OUTLAWING WAR. BRITISH REPLY. RUGBY, July 9. Further questions on the Government’s attitude towards the United States proposal for a- multilateral treaty for the renunciation of war were answered in Parliament to-day by the Foreign Secretary, Sir Austen Chamlierlain.

Ho said that lie was not yet able to ■Ante when the Government intended :o sign the pact. He added that everything possible was, however, being lone- to hasten tlio dispatch of a reply n the latest Note of the United States lover nil lent.

To a .supplementary question suggesting that there had been undue delay, Sir Austen Chamberlain said that, in Jii.s view, it was most important that his Majesty’s Government should lie careful when undertaking now engagements not to break their old ones.

In reply to a further question, Sir Austeii Chamberlain said that ho was not prepared to answer without notice' a. question about the attitude of the Dominions, as to which he was not yet fully informed. Consultations with them were by no means complete. Ho thought that it would lib convenient if he should postpone any account of what was likely to be the British reply, until lie was in a position to lay the papers on the table. He undertook that there should he no unnecessary loss of time.

DUKE OF CONNAUGHT.

AN OPERATION PERFORMED.

RUGBY. July 9. The King’s uncle, tlio Duke of Conlauglit, who is seventy-eight years of go, has been confined to bed for some

days with nasal trouble, and a slight operation was necessary to remove the obstruction in his nose.

Tho King went to soe him on Saturday and again yesterday, when ho was accompanied by the Queen. Although remaining in his room, the Duke was able to sit up out of lied. To-day the Duke was reported to be rapidly recovering, and he is expected to he out again shortly.

WIDOWS’ PENSIONS

RUGBY. July 9.

According to a statement made by »Sir AVilliam joypson-Hicks, tlie Home Secretary, tlio Government is now considering sympathetically the possibility of permanently stabilising pensions to replace pensions to widows and dependants.

The pensions arc at present stabilised until 1931, but some anxiety has been felt by recipients that after that date, and in the event of a continued fall in the cost of living, the amount will be reduced, tile Government lmye spent £357,000,000 tliis year on such way pensions.

LORD LOYAT’S TOUR

RUGBY, July 9

Mr W. G. Ormsby-Gore, Undersecretary for the Colonies, stated in the House, in reply to a question, that no special directions had been drafted for the purpose of the impending visit lo Canada, Australia and New Zealand of Lord Loyat, Under-Secretary for the Dominions. He hopes to discuss matters relating to overseas settlement witfi the authorities and any representatives of any organisation in the dominions which lie was visiting, and to negotiate such extension of the present policy as might appear feasible. It " was riot intended that any scheme should he held up until tlie conclusion of the tour. All cognate subjects relating to qinigratiop, it was statei], would be lincjer review.

UNDER-SECRETARY’S TOUR

RUGBY. July 9

Mr W. G. Ormsby-Gore, Under-Sec-retary for the Colonies, returned to London yesterday after a five months’ tour to Malaya, Ceylon, Singapore, Johoro and Java, the purpose of which was to' investigate agricultural progress and research in public health in tlie tropics. Altogether he travelled over 20,000 miles and had conferences with the colonial Governments. fie obtained the opinions and jmpressjons of the British rubber plantation industry.

CAPTAIN LOWENSTEJX. veiiqplane INSPECTED p.y *■ " experts. RUGBY, July 9. Major Cooper, Chief Inspector of Accidents, and the Investigation Subcommittee of the Air Ministry to-day conducted a' private examination of tho Fokker ‘monopjane from which Captain Loewenstein is believed to have fallen while crossing the English Channel last Wednesday. The door leading fi’Qjp the cabin and •its'’ fastenings were carefully tested. It is updcrstoo.d that on the return from Bessels of Paptain Loewenstein’s' pilot, Paptain I}r.ev. the tliepries pdyanced for Captain Loewenstein’s disappeappee fill be tested during a flight bf tSe juachjne. Opinion is divided ns to whether, in view of the fusji of ajr along tjie fuselage, it would be possible to open the door of thp calhn during flight-