MUSTARD SEED FOR ITALY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22709, 23 October 1935, Page 9

MUSTARD SEED FOR ITALY

COPENHAGEN, October 21. It is reported that Denmark has shipped a large quantity of mustard seed to Italy, believed to be for the manufacture of gas. The Government is investigating, and may prohibit export. STOCK EXCHANGE BRIGHTER (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, October 21. An encouraging view of the international situation was taken on the Stock Exchange to-day, and markets closed with a good undertone, and the demand in all sections expanded considerably. CANE CUTTERS' RESOLUTION BRISBANE, October 22. A meeting of Italian cane cutters at Mourilyan, after discussing the invasion of Abyssinia by Italy, passed the following resolution:—" That this meeting of Italian cutters forward a protest to the Italian Consul in Sydney demanding that the invasion of Abyssinia shall cease, and that this protest be forwarded to the Italian Government, as we consider that all the teachings of civilisation have been outraged by the unprovoked attack on the rights of Abyssinians to develop in independence and peace." HOLLAND'S EMBARGO THE HAGUE, October 21. (Received Oct. 22, at 11 p.m.) Holland will place an embargo tomorrow on the export of arms to Italy and her colonies. GUNS POURING INTO ETHIOPIA LONDON, October 21. (Received Oct. 23, at 1 a.m.) The News-Chronicle's Addis Ababa correspondent says guns and ammunition are now pouring into Ethiopia, and a military authority declares that if the rate is maintained the Abyssinians will be irresistible in guerilla warfare within three months. The Times Port Said correspondent says: "The hospital ship California traversed the Suez canal to Italy with 686 sick labourers, the largest sick shipment that has yet passed through the canal. The patients were described as completely dejected and worn out. Tuberculosis is reported to be rife among Italian labourers in Eritrea owing to exposure to low air pressure, lack of water, and bad food." THE COST TO ITALY ROME, October 22. (Received Oct. 23, at 1 a.m.) The Italian operations in Abyssinia cost £3,666,000 before hostilities began. The Budget deficit for the three months ended September 30 was £7,066,660, which does not include Abyssinian operations. These cost £22,416,666 for the above three months, yet the stream of troops to East Africa continues abatedABYSSINIA AND FRANCE LONDON, October 22. (Received Oct. 23, at 1 a.m.) The Daily Telegraph's Addis Ababa correspondent says: " There is growing tension between France and Abyssinia because the French demand that the Abyssinians should demarcate the neutral zone at Diredawa with warning posts visible from the sky, so that French nationals may take refuge in the zone in the event of air raids. The Government regards the request as an infringement of Abyssinian sovereignty and a virtual invitation to Italy to bomb the rest of Diredawa. Fears are also expressed that France may attempt to retain the area permanently. POPE'S EFFORTS FOR PEACE ROME, October 22. (Received Oct. 23, at 1.45 a.m.) The Pope telegraphed to the national directors of the Apostleship of Prayer throughout the world asking for prayers and masses for his "very special intention." It is understood that this refers to the special personal efforts his Holiness is making in the interests of world peace. APPLICATION OF SANCTIONS ATTITUDE OF NEW ZEALAND LABOUR PARTY NOT COMMITTED (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, October 22. A good deal of interest has centred in parliamentary circles to-day on the reference made by the Minister of Finance, Mr Coates, at Masterton last night to the application of sanctions against Italy. Following on Mr Coates's announcement, the Prime Minister, Mr Forbes, stated that consideration was being given to the matter of bringing down a Bill giving ?ffect to the Government's policy in regard to sanctions. Mr Coates also made another reference to the matter. He said there appeared to be some misunderstanding regarding his statement that the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Savage, and Mr Walter Nash had conference w 7 irh the Prime Minister and himself on the matter. " In a desire to enable the people of New Zealand to speak with one voice on an issue of such importance," Mr Coates continued, " the communications which passed between the United Kingdom Government and the New Zealand Government were shown to Mr Savage and Mr Nash and discussed with them. I wish to make it clear thai the Labour Party was in no way committed by this procedure or by these discussions. A copy of the proposed Bill to give effect to the Government's intentions in the matter was given to Mr Savage so that it might be discussed by a caucus of the Labour Party. It was understood that the communications between the two Governments were to be regarded as confidential." A Labour Party caucus was held this morning, and although it was admitted that Mr Coates's reference to the sanctions question had been discussed no statement was made as to the party's attitude. DEMONSTRATIONS AT ITALIAN CONSULATES IN SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE (From Onu Own Correspondent) SYDNEY, October 10. The anti-war movement in Australia has been active in marshalling opinion against Italy. Tts members include many persons of extremely radical thought, and it is animated, not only by desires to stop wars, but also to kill Fascism. Hence it has a double motive in seeking to form an anti-Italian opinion. In addition to swinging some of the most powerful unions to its side in favour of military as well as economic sanctions, it has adopted the policy of trying to persuade Signor Mussolini, through his consuls in Australia, to stop the war in Abyssinia. Deputations from the Council Against; War in both Sydney and Melbourne tried to interview the. Italian Consuls. On Friday, about 50 persons of both sexes,

forming a deputation from the anti-war movement, demonstrated at the offices of the Italian Consulate-general in Sydney following an abortive attempt to interview the Acting Consul-general (Commander L. Vitalli). Shouting, "Hands off Abyssinia," members of the deputation were dispersed by the police after the Acting Consul-general had agreed to admit to his office one member of the deputation, the general secretary of the Miners' Federation (Mr W. Orr). After the interview, Mr Orr said: "They take up the attitude that they are not prepared to meet any deputation. They will say nothing and hear nothing. They are not prepared to listen to the representations of hundreds of thousands of workers in New South Wales. They say that if we send in a written request for a deputation we will receive a reply, but they indicate that the nature of the reply would be a refusal to see us." Following the disturbance, the Acting Consul-general declined to be interviewed. His secretary, however, issued a statement on his behalf, this purporting to prove that Abyssinian aggressiveness was the cause of the war. In Melbourne, on Monday, a somewhat similar occurrence took place. When one of the three representatives of the Victorian Council Against War who interviewed the Consul used expressions which the Consul considered were insulting to the Government of Italy, the Consul terminated the interview. The Council Against War had arranged a deputation to ask that its protest against the attack by Italy upon Abyssinia should be sent to the Italian Government. Although the Consul declined to sec a deputation of as many members as were present, he agreed to an interview with three —two men and a woman. Order was maintained during the 20 minutes of the interview, although while it was in progress a flag bearing the words. "Hands Off Abyssinia," was hoisted over the building in which the Consulate is situated. The deputation asked that its representations that Italian troops should be withdrawn . from Abyssinia should be sent to the Italian Government, and a protest was made against the alleged bombing of the civilian population in Abyssinia by Italian aeroplanes. When lie terminated the interview after the use of words which he considered were insulting to his Government, including a reference to a "murderous attack,'' the Consul said he would allow no such insult to Italy to be offered in the office of the Consulate. He added that the council's protests would be sent to the Government of Italy.