Flashes Overseas

Northern Advocate, 10 January 1936, Page 5

Flashes Overseas

FRANCE’S NAVAL CO-OPERA-TION. —It is understood that the British Home Fleet crews will be off the Spanish and Portuguese coasts. In the meanwhile, irrespective of whether the French warship movements are intended to be politically significant or not, they are interpreted thus in London, where official quarters are gratified at what they regard as a manifestation of co-operation. They point out that it is not so much the destination of the French fleet that is noted with satisfaction, as the fact that French warships will be cruising in the Mediterranean, or at a reasonable distance from it. SOUTH AMERICA BENEFITS BY SANCTIONS. —The Trieste correspondent of “The Times” says the motor ship Remo has been withdrawn from the Genoa-Australian line for a special voyage to South America, with which Italian trade, is growing, as the result of the imposition of sanctions by various countries.

BRITISH STOCK FOR AUSTRALIA.—PIans to encourage the importation of pedigree stock from Britain to improve Australian herds are announced. Assistance will take the form of a contribution towards the expenses of importing pedigree cattle, sheep, goats and swine, but no assistance will be given in respect of the cost of the animals themselves. The shipping companies have agreed to make concessions in regard to freight.

WATCHED ECLIPSE OF MOON. — Clouds precluded observation of the moon last night. However, a pilot, a wireless operator, a photographer, and a passenger in an aeroplane defying the bad weather, attained a height of 12,000 feet over Heston Aerodrome and secured an excellent view. Clouds, compelled the pilot to fly blind under wireless control from Heston. Rain clouds prevailed from 1000 feet to 8000 feet, above which all was clear. The flight lasted 2\ hours. WHEN THE DYKES BURST.—An incident which recalls stories of the bursting of dykes in the Netherlands in the middle ages is reported in Paris. The inhabitants of the village of Larondi, near La Rochelle, were awakened by the beating of drums and told tfyat the dykes had burst. Families worked all night and all day repairing the river bank, while their household>possessions were floating in the street. -

LIFEBOAT MEN HONOURED.—The French Minister. of mercantile marine has awarded silver medals and diplomas to the men of the Barry Dock lifeboat, for gallantry in the rescue of the crew of the French schooner Goeland in the British Channel in September.—(B.O.W.)

“LEAGUE A MENACE TO PEACE.” —Stating that the “misguided efforts” of the League of Nations were a menace to the security of the Empire arid to world peace, and unfavourable to the League itself, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Roger Keyes declined an invitation to attend a youth peace rally at Portsmouth organised by the union.

FIRE ON VANISHED STEAMER? —A report that a fire occurred in the bunkers of the Paringa several days before she left on her last voyage suggests that the vessel may have foundered after a fire or explosion. The report of the fire is confirmed by four Chinese seamen from the Vincas, which the Paringa was towing to Japan. It has been established that the Paringa cast off the derelict Vincas on Christmas Day, 31 hours before she spoke by wireless to the motorship Hauraki.

BY-ELECTION PROTEST.— The annual conference of the Union of Universities Liberal Society passed a resolution deploring the use of a Scottish university constituency as a refuge for a beaten and discredited politician. The reference is to Mr Ramsay MacDonald.

VACUUM PACKED PRODUCE Mr L. Reynolds, who is returning to New Zealand by the Rangitikei, reports considerable interest in vacuum packed produce in London. Butter is commanding a premium of 12/- and cheese 20/-. It is proposed to extend factories through New Zealand'.