NEW ETHIOPIAN PRISON.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 255, 25 September 1935, Page 7

NEW ETHIOPIAN PRISON.

ITALIANS ATTEND OPENING. PROPOSALS RECEIVING ATTENTION. (Times Cables.) Received September 25, 10.25 a.m. LONDON, Sept. 25. The Times, in a copyright message from Addis Ababa, states that as an indication of liis attachment to civilised principles, the Emperor ceremoniously opened a new model prison in the presence of the Diplomatic Corps, including Count Vinci (Italian Minister), whose attendance, accompanied by a greater number of Legation officials than tho other representatives, was most notable. Moreover, Count Vinci shook hands with the Emperor in a most affable manner.

Tlie prison will accommodate 350 prisoners, the first of whom will enter to-morrow. The cells are hygienic and airy, and the prisoners’ pyjamas are laid out on the beds. Reading rooms are provided, also a workshop to enable criminals to learn trades.

The Emperor, on returning to the Palace, was greeted by thousands of gaily dressed Mohammedans from Harrar and Ogaden, also a number of Yemenis, with whom Abyssinia is ratifying a peace treaty. The demonstrators cheered His Majesty and “presented arms,” mostly sticks and bludgeons. The State Council is giving attention to the Conciliation Committee’s proposals, especially the clause relating to Italian commercial rights, to which Abyssinia will never grant exclusiveness.

NO BOOTS FOR ITALIANS

BRITISH UNION’S RESOLUTION,

Received September 25, 12.25 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 24. In pursuance of a resolution passed in 1926 declaring that the union should refuse to support any government resorting to war, the National Union of Boot Operatives lias ordered its members not to make boots for the Italian Army.

SPIRIT OF DEJECTION,

ITALIAN BUSINESS MEN

MELBOURNE, Sept. 24. Captain G. Thorpe, commander of the Orient liner Ormonde, which arrived from London, said that a sp>irit of dejection was very noticeable among the people of Naples, and Italian business men saw a calamity for Italy in the prospect of war. They expressed regret that Signor Mussolini had gone so far. Others did not believe he would go through with his promise.

AUSTRALIA’S POSITION,

EXTENT OF LEAGUE SUPPORT,

CANBERRA, Sept. 24

Tlie Sun representative says: There is the keenest discussion t-o-dav in the lobbies on the exact implication to be drawn from tbe statement made by Mr J. A. Lyons (Prime Minister) yesterday on the Italo-Abyssinian situation. The question most asked now is whether Mr Lyons’s instructions to Mr Brace commit Australia to active cooperation with Britain in upholding League principles in the event of Italy being adjudged an aggressor nation. General opinion among members of Parliament is that it does.

Tlie next' question, as to the extent of the measures tbe Government ought to take in order to give co-operation, is causing much controversy, the Sun correspondent adds. It is quite evident that when Mr Lyons permits a debate on the subject tlie Labour opposition will force the issue to a vote. The Government has no intention of complying with the Labour demand for the recall of the cruiser Australia from tlie Mediterranean.