GENERAL CABLES

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 106, 1 April 1930, Page 2

GENERAL CABLES

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

LONDON, Marfch 30. The conversations at Chequers were directed to obtaining the Italian viewpoint upon the attempt of the conference to bridge the gap between the somewhat vague phrasing article 16 of the League Covenant .and France’s definite demand for security.

The British spokesman to-night emphasised that Britain was most anxious to improve the pace of the conference machinery, but further military commitments were absolutely impossible. While it was recognised that an attempt to find a formula satisfactory to France was extraordinarily difficult, there was always the possibility of obtaining a definition satisfactory to all concerned. The discussions were proceeding with this hope. Article 16 was being closely examined. The Otranto collided with the French steamer Bemardin De St. Pierre, which was anchored in Port Said harbour. The damage to the Otranto is slight. She is proceeding on her voyage. The Free State Labour Party is prejudicing Mr Eamon de Valera’s chances of election as President by announcing its decision to propose that the party’s own leder, Mr O’Connell, should succeed Mr Cosgrve e President.

Mr L. C-. Amery, Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs in the Baldwin Ministry, speaking l at a reunion of . members of the Salonika League told how he eluded capture after the Germans torpedoed the Caledonia, on which he was returning from Salonika. He sought safety in a small beat, from which he saw tiro ship sink. On the submarine’s approach lie crawled into a little three-cornered space in the stern of the boat. The Germans took prisoner General Ravensham. and several officers, but missed him. 1

MONTREAL, March 29, A message from Hatton, Nofth Dakota, states: “Sir Hubert Wilkins, who was delayed by snowstorms, rived to-day to pay his respects tat Lieutenant Ben "Eielson’s grave, in which lie placed a wreath. 1 “Sir Hubert told a newspaper representative: ‘I cannot say enough about him. I thought of him ap a friend and a man. He was a skilful flier, and was the best pal man ever had. The storms at Chicago and Detroit remind me of the flights Ben and I made in the Arctic.’ ” BERLIN, March 30.

Dr. Heinrich Bruening has completed a Coalition Cabinet. There are only four new Ministers, including himself. The fact that Dr, Curtius remains as Foreign Minister indicates the maintenance of the policy of the late Dr. Stresemann, which Dr. Curtius carried on. Dr. Bruening is aged 43. During the war he won the Iron Cross. He entered the Reichstag in 1924, and became leader of the Centre Party. Some significance is attached to the opinion expressed by the Germania, the Centre Party’s official organ, to the effect that the Government may be forced to rule the country even against Parliament. PARIS, March 29. Mme. Hanau, having been assured of an early hearing of her application for bail, has abandoned her hunger strike. She is extremely weak. The court subsequently granted bail to Mme. Hanau in the sum of £6400. Mme. Hanau is protesting, contending that it is over high; all her property has been made over to her creditors. __ „ „ , . The trial is fixed for May 15, and is expected to last for a month. PARIS, March 30. At Rugby football, tlic British Army defeated the French Army by 5 points to nil- , MALTA, March 28. Clerical representatives of the Senate moved a resolution condemning the Government’s conduct as harmful to the spiritual interests of the Maltese people and likely to weaken their inspect and obedience for the ecclesiastical authorities, thus imparing the authority of the Bishops. Mr Bartolo, in replying, asked for a week’s adjournment in order to rebut tho charges by official documents the contents of which cannot be disclosed without the authority of tlio Imperial Government. Tho Senate rejected tho adjournment by 10 votes to 4. Parliament is now discussing the final stages of tho Appropriation Bill, after which a dissolution is expected. Tho electoral campaign is already in full swing. The Nationalists are supported by a majority of the clergy, making the religious question the chief issue and producing what is likely to be the most bitter spectacle in the history of Malta. . .. SYDNEY, March 30. The latest conference between the coal-mine owners and miners, on which high hopes of an early resumption were built, found the delegates unable to agree after the discussion had lasted two hours. Some progress was made, however. It is believed that, although Mr Scullin has made it plain that financial assistance from tlie Federal Government is out of the question, some form of tariff protection against coal imports may be possible, and that the Commonwealth would co-operate in plans for the stabilisation of the industry and in the finding of employment for surplus miners. It is believed also that the pits may reopen without a further conference. Caught in a strong undertow at Blackhead Beach, near Ballina, a man named Nott and Mrs Piercey were swept out to sea and drowned. Mr Piercey was able to rescue his daughter who was also in difficulties. Mr Nott’s body has not been recovered.

CANBERRA, March 29. In the Federal House of Representatives to-day, a bill was introduced providing for the payment of a bounty on cotton seed, lint and yarn. The Acting-Minister of Customs stated that it was his opinion that the industry would be able to stand unaided six years hence. Continuing in the House of sentatives the debate on the Referendum Bill, Mr W. M. Hughes supported the Government’s appeal „ for the wider powers, but attacked the proposal to empower Parliament to alter the Constitution at will.