GENERAL CABLES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 77, 26 February 1930, Page 7

GENERAL CABLES.

GENEVA, Feb. 24. The Tariff Truce Conference received a further setback by Japan’s refusal to announce the acceptance of the scheme. Mr Yoshina said that while Japan was favourable to a truce, it did not see how it could accede the proposed convention, in view of the abstention of China, the United States, India and Australia. MELBOURNE, Feb. 25. The Premier, Mr Hogan, hints that an investigation will shortly begin into the profits obtained by American talkie companies from Australian screenings, also a possible amendment to the amusement tax, in order to give concessions to the legitimate stage. SYDNEY, Feb. 25. The inquiry into the stranding of the steamer Luciston at Ocean Island was held to-day. Teddie Jenne, in evidence, stated that Captain McDonald was hopelessly drunk prior to the vessel striking the reef. Captain McDonald denied that he was drunk. He said he was suffering from nervousness due to pyorrhoea poisoning. He did everything in his power to avoid disaster. He admitted that there were two bottles of brandy and two bottles of port in his cabin locker. _ The court held thnt the charge of insobriety had not been sustained and exonerated Captain McDonald. The court recorded no finding as to the cause of the stranding. Seafaring in Australian passenger steamers trading to the Pacific Islands has been given a Gilbertian touch by the new Federal Arbitration award covering stewards. _ The award abolishes payment of overtime at minor way ports, wherefore the men decline to wait on island visitors to ship. Tins will mean that skippers and their officers will have to don aprons and perform stewards’ duties toward guests calling from island stations. LONDON, Feb. 24. The world’s switchboard was the picturesque description applied to London to-day, when a direct telephone service, was opened with the Vatican City, via Rome. London is now in direct communication with eighteen Continental countries, the United States, Canada, Cuba, and Mexico, whereas in 1922 only Paris and Brussels were connected. ■-

An announcement regarding the outcome of experiments to Australia is expected shortly. “While Empire dree trade is the ideal for which Unionists should work as the ultimate goal, it is to-day impossible as a practical policy,” declared Mr Baldwin in an interview today. Mr Baldwin appealed to the Conservatives to work for a practical policy of safeguarding, preference, and Imperial development. RUGBY, Feb. 24. Lord Cecil will represent Britain dn the committee that is meeting to-day at Geneva to consider the steps necessary for bringing the Covenant of the League of Nations into conformity with the Paris Pact for the Renunciation of War.