NEWS BY CABLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3672, 29 July 1924, Page 45

NEWS BY CABLE.

PRICE OF BREAD INCREASED. SYDNEY, July 20. The price of bread has been raised one farthing per loaf as from to-morrow. PEDIGREE CLYDESDALES. LONDON, July 19. The steamer Maimoa is carrying five pedigree Clydesdales to New Zealand for stud purposes. NORWEGIAN AFFAIRS. CHRISTIANIA, July 24. The Government has resigned following the defeat of its Bill abolishing Prohibition. SEVERE EARTHQUAKE RECORDED. MELBOURNE, July 26. The Melbourne University recorded a severe earthquake about 2100 miles dis tant. QUEENSLAND SUGAR CROP. BRISBANE. July 27. The Sugar crop is expected to vield 323,000 tons—a record. THE HOHENZOLLERNS. BERLIN, July 21. The Catholic People’s Party has introduced m the Prussian Parliament a Bill repealing the seizure of the Hohenzollerns’ property. ANOTHER LIBEL ACTION. „ _ „ „ MELBOURNE, July 22. Mr H. E. Pratten (Minister of Customs) has issued a writ claiming £IO,OOO damages for alleged libel from the Labour Daily newspaper in Sydney. THE BORDER MURDER. LONDON, July 24. Members of the House of Commons have petitioned the Home Secretary seeking a reprieve for Goldenberg on the of insanity. STRIKE AT PORT KEMBLA. . ... SYDNEY, July 21. A strike occurred at the metal manufacturing works at Port Kembla. The trouble originated among the girls employed there. BRAZILIAN REVOLT. WASHINGTON, July 22. three thousand civilians are reported to have been killed and injured at Sao Paulo through the fighting between the Federal and Revolutionary forces. THE BASIC WAGE. _. SYDNEY, July 22. The Board of Trade has concluded an inquiry into the cost of living. The board reserved its decision in regard to the new basic wage. STREET BEGGING FORBIDDEN. a .i n July 23. bj“ba'nd“ *■» BENEFICIAL RAINS. n , . SYDNEY, July 2b Good rains continued in the greater part of the State, including the wkeat areas where they will prove of great value to *he growing crops. THE CRUISING SQUADRON. LONDON, July 23 A group of members of the House of Commons is urging that the bluejackets » should march through London on returning from the Empire cruise. ELECTRICAL STRIKE ENDED. MELBOURNE, July 23. r ollowing on a conference, it was decided that 600 labourers who were on strike at the Electricity Commissioner’s works at xallourn should resume work. PORT KEMBLA STRIKE SETTLED. SYDNEY, July 24 A settlement of the strike at the works of the metal manufacturers at Port Kembla has been effected, and work was resumed to-day. THE EX-CROWN PRINCE. T , r „ . HEREIN, July 23. ifie ex-Crown Prince is running a cornmill and bakery at Dels. Owing to his failure to attend a meeting the local millers’ corporation fined him 20 gold marks. WOMAN’S BODY FOUND. MELBOURNE, July 2b. Following the discovery of a skull at Chelsea, a black tracker discovered the decomposed body of a woman hidden some distance away. The body had apparently been there for some months. PRICE OF BREAD. LONDON, July 26. The master bakers are increasing the price of the 41b loaf throughout the country by £d on August 4. The London price will be 9id. COLLIERY STRIKE SETTLED. SYDNEY, July 26. The strike at the Balmain colliery has been settled. The colliery will reopen on Monday. DOMINION CHEESE. LONDON, July 25. The Queen of Spain is so pleased with the New Zealand cheese that she tasted at Wembley that she has ordered a crate to be sent to Madrid.

REBELLION IN AFGHANISTAN. DELHI, July 26. Pierce fighting is occurring in Southern Afghanistan between the Amir’s troops and rebels. The fighting so far has been largely in the favour of the latter. BRITISH BUILDING TRADES. LONDON, July 26. The building trades employers organisation state that at least 100,000 operatives are affected by the lockout notices. So far the men’s leaders have called the men out in some areas only. MAORI LAND GRIEVANCES. LONDON, July 23. Several members of Ratana’s parly who were attending a gathering of tne League of Mercy at St. James’s Palace contrived to present an address to the Prince of Wales pointing out the Maoris’ land grievances. PORT LYTTELTON SAILS. SYDNEY, July 20. The steamer Port Lyttelton, which was declared “black,” and which has been held up since February, effected temporary repairs, and sailed on Saturday for Eastern ports, where she will be thoroughly overhauled. THE NORTHERN COALFIELD. SY T DNEY, July 23. The miners at the Neath colliery, in the Northern field, following the management’s refusal to allow them to finish early to view a football match, struck, thus rendering the mine idle. ACROSS THE HIMALAYAS. DELHI, July 22. Colonel Haddick and a small party organised by Sir Francis Younghusband, have returned to Calcutta after crossing the Himalayas from Darjeeling into Tibet by motor-tractor. The feat had never hitherto been performed by a wheeled vehicle. THE MASONIC CRAFT. LONDON, July 22. A ceremony unique in the annals of Freemasonry was witnessed at the Central Hall, Westminster, when the Duke of Connaught, in the presence of 2500 brethren, installed the Prince of Wales as Grand Master of Surrey. CHARGE OF CONSPIRACY. SYDNEY, July 21 The trial of officials of the Seamen’s Union on a charge of conspiracy arising out of the hold-up of the Port Lyttelton has commenced. After evidence had been given for the prosecution similar to that previously cabled the case was adjourned until to-morrow. Bail was refused. HEALING BY- FAITH. LONDON, July 22. The Archbishop of York (Dr Lang) preaching before the British Medical Association at Bradford suggested that the Council should inaugurate an inquiry into the relations between mind, body, and spirit. He urged that science should discover the place of the spirit in the healing and uplifting of the body. CRIME ON THE INCREASE. SYDNEY, July 23. The annual report of the Comptroller of Prisons, tabled in the Assembly, states that the number of prisoners received into the gaols on convictions from the higher courts increased from 582 in 1919 to 907 during 1923. The daily average number of prisoners in 1923 was 1466. LOST AT SEA. TOKIO, July 21. The Matsuyama Maru, bound from Keelung, sank on July 11, west of Goto Island. All hands were lost except one, a stoker, who was picked up by a trawler! The survivor states that the vessel began to sink shortly after leaving Keelung Pumping efforts were ineffective, and the vessel wias finally abandoned. DARING MOTOR THIEVES. .. T , , SYDNEY, July 21. iNo fewer than 11 "vehicles, valued at nearly £SOOO, were stolen here during the week-end. Only three have been recovered. In one case the owner saw his car being taken, but the thieves kept him at bay by presenting a revolver at his head. A police patrol chased another car for miles through the suburbs, but the thieves escaped. GOVERNOR OF TASMANIA. „ LONDON, July 20. Mr James O'Grady, M.P., in an interview, said that nothing had been settled regarding his rumoured appointment to the Governorship of Tasmania, but an announcement might be expected this week. He had expressed his personal preference for the Ambassadorship to Russia, where he felt he could render great service. WAIMARINO HELD UP. ADELAIDE, July 27. The steamer Waimarino, which is loading wheat at Wallaroo for Lyttelton, Oamaru, and Dunedin, is held up follow! ing the decision of the agents to engage tally clerks outside the Clerical Union. ° The watersiders struck in support of the clerks and declared the steamer “black.” NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS. LONDON, July 26. The King of tihe Belgians will unveil the New Zealand battle memorial at Messines on August 1, and Sir James Allen will unveil tne Gravenstafel memorial on August 2.

CHAMBERS OF COMAIERCE CONFERENCE. LONDON, July 25. As a sequel to the recent Chambers of Commerce Conference, a meeting of Empire business men elected a committee to organise a conference in September or October for the purpose of interchanging information and stimulating inter-Empire trade. DIGNITY OF ARBITRATION COURT. SYDNEY, July 26. In the Arbitration Court, Mr Justice Quick rebuked the Federated Enginedrivers’ and Firemen's Association of Australia for threatening to strike while its plaint was before the court. His Honour said it would be inconsistent with the dignity and independence of the court to proceed further. He refrained from making a final award. PRESERVING WOODEN HOUSES. MOSCOW, July 25. The Soviet has commissioned the experimental construction of a few wooden houses with thermolite packed between the outer and the inner boards. Thermolite consists of a plaster of sawdust and straw leaves soaked in antiseptic. The inventor claims that when the thermolite has hardened it is proof against damp, insects, and fire. ARMED ROBBERIES. MELBOURNE, July 25. Another outbreak* of armed robberies is reported in the suburbs. Early this evening a man was bailed up by three masked and armed men at Kew. They presented revolvers and relieved him of *£67. A young woman at Richmond was stopped by a masked man, who pointed a revolver at her. She screamed, a.nd the man decamped. RELIEF OF UNEMPLOYMENT. T , p t SYDNEY, July 26. ine Government has announced its intention of relieving the unemployment position by sending single men into the country to clear and prepare the roads on land intended for closer settlement Married men will be found work within a reasonable distance of the city. baby given away. SYDNEY, July 25. A young woman carrying a baby accosted a small girl in the street at Paddington and asked if her mother would like a baby. The girl replied: “Oh yes-’’ The woman handed over the child, asking that it should be treated kindly, and walked away. The police advised the removal of the baby to the Infant Welfare Home. REVIEW AT SPITHEAD. LONDON, July 25. An imposing assembly of the fleet at Spithead for the King’s review on Saturday was completed last night. There will be 196 warships in lines 10 miles long, headed by the Queen Elizabeth. The King and Queen, accompanied by the Prince of Wales, will go to Portsmouth to-day to see the fleet illuminated at night. CALCUTTA TEA SALES. Aim i CALCUTTA. July 26. At the tea sales a great part of the offerings was stalky, but good sorts sold readily at late rates. Poorer classes were easier. Dusts and tannings were in good demand. The prices ranged from 12 annas for commonest leaf to 14 annas six pice for even leaf. RIVALS IN LOVE. LONDON, July 23. After leaving the Rotherhithe school, where both are teachers, William Holmes, a widower, shot dead in the street George K a y> a married man, and then committed suicide. It is believed that both loved the same schoolmistress. EX-GENERAL MARITZ. CAPETOWN, July 21. Ex-General Maritz has been released after a little over 12 weeks’ incarceration. Interviewed after his release, ex-General Maritz said he had had enough trouble in the past and he did not want anv more. If the country was to be worth living in the English and Dutch would have to work together. MINERS LODGE NEW CLAIMS. SYDNEY, July 22. The Miners’ Federation has written to the Colliery Owners’ Associations in all States asking for a conference to discuss the miners’ claims for a minimum wage of £5 10s for all shift men, whether they are employed on the surface or underground and a working day of seven hours from bank to bank. WEEKLY MAILS FROM ENGLAND. SYDNEY", July 21. It is officially announced that the Peninsular and Oriental Company from March 1 will conduct a fortnightly mail service from England to Australia, and during the outward and homeward passenger seasons the Orient Company will also run a fortnightly service. This will mean that during that period a steamer will leave weekly. ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY. SYDNEY, July 22. In the Assembly Mr R. M‘D. Stop ford gave notice of motion for leave to introduce a Bill providing for the abolition of capital punishment for murder, and the substitution of punishment in the first and second degrees. The penalty for those guilty in the first degree is penal servitude for life, and in the second degree punishment by 15 years’ imprisonmnent.

MARITIME DISASTER. NEW YORK, July 22. The passenger steamer Boston, bound from Boston to New York, was rammed amidships in a heavy fog off Point Judith by an oil tanker. Four passengers are known to be dead. The remainder were taken off in lifeboats. Several of these which were crowded with passengers are missing. The Boston is taking in water rapidly, and is being towed to Newport. Several ships are standing by. ATHLETIC CONTEST. LONDON, July 23. In the athletic contest between dominions and the Achilles Club, the dominions won by 35 points to 31. The hundred yards resulted:—Porritt (New Zealand) 1, Coaffee 2, Abrahams 3. Time, lOsec. The long jump resulted:—Atkinson (South Africa), 23ft sin, 1; Abrahams, 22ft 10in, 2 ; Homier, 21ft 6-gin, 3. The 220 yards flat resulted : —Kinsman (South Africa) 1, Porritt 2, Butler (Achilles) 3. Time, 22 l-ssec. SHIPPING MAGNATE’S ESTATE. LONDON, July 26. Sir Robert Ropner, ship builder and owner, left £3,615,800. The estate duties amount to £1,468,000. Sir Robert was born in Prussia, His parents intended him for the Lutheran ministry, but he stowed away and landed in England penniless and friendless. He entered the employment of a shipping office, and 19 years later become the sole owner of the fleet. THE MEDICAL CONFERENCE. LONDON, July 23. The conference of the British Medical Association rejected the Archbishop ot Y"ork’s appeal for a full inquiry into spiritual healing, passing a resolution that an investigation would be likely to lead to outside associations seeking for a recognition of their activities. One doctor advocated the compulsory notification of cancer, declaring that 7000 lives could be saved annually by increased propaganda. FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE. DARWIN, July 24. After a cl.ase extending over a long distance an aboriginal who was committed for trial on a charge of murder, but who escaped, has been captured. He had evaded capture for many months. Constable Gilen set out after him with no provisions and no swag. He was accompanied by a black boy. When his clothing was worn out the constable proceeded in a naked condition. His skin was blackened like that of the natives. He finally reached the camp of the fugitive and effected his arrest. THE SPAHLINGER Sr. RUM. BRISBANE, July 21. The Premier (Mr E. G. Theodore) stated that M. Spahlinger had voluntarily offered to supply the Queensland Government with a quantity of his tubercular serum for demonstration purposes, conditional on its being administered by the public health officer. The offer had been accepted. TAXATION BY BLACKMAIL. MOSCOW, July 21. The Soviet is exploiting a new means of assessing ftaxes. Officials privily take flasli-light photographs of audiences at expensive night cabarets, and then demand fantastic income tax payments. If the victims protest they are confronted with photographs which not infrequently reveal them in compromising company. WAGES OF STATION HANDS. BRISBANE, July 21. At the hearing of the sheep industry case before the Arbitration Court Chief Justice M’Cawley made it clear that- wages must fluctuate according to the prosperity or otherwise of the industry. The court raised the wages of adult employees on sheep stations by 10s a week and others accordingly. Shearers will receive 5s per hundred extra. The court refused an increase in wages in the cattle industry. EARTHQUAKE SHOCK RECORDED. SYDNEY, July 25. An earthquake shock of considerable intensity, though not so severe as that recorded from the vicinity of the Macquarie Island at the end of June, was recorded at the Riverview and Sydney Observatories, at 2.50 yesterday afternoon. The position is calculated to be approximately 270 miles north-west of the Auckland Islands, and about 1050 miles distant from Sydney. THE PRICE OF BREAD. MELBOURNE, July 25. Mr Prendergast informed a deputation who asked that an inquiry should be made into the recent increase in the price of bread that one policy of the Ministry was to establish flour-mills. A board of inquiry would be set up immediately to deal with the price of bread. He said the Ministry was not going to let the price of bread go up without publicity oeing given to whatever justification existed lor it. THE ROTHERHITHE TRAGEDY. LONDON, July 24. At the inquest on the school teachers Holmes and [Kay evidence was given that the former’s engagement to Miss Frankise, also a school teacher, had been broken off through a quarrel. Holmes had never mentioned any quarrel with Kay, but a letter was found in Holmes’s pocket, from solicitors, who demanded payment of £3 3s for services rendered ‘‘in re yourself and Kay.” Mrs Kay gave evidence that Miss Frankise had occasionally visited their house. ANGLO-AMERICAN ATHLETES. LONDON, July 21. There was a cheery function in the House of Commons when Sir Walter de

Frece gave a dinner to a party of members of the Anglo-American teams, including the Australians, the South Africans and A. E. Porritt (New Zealand). Sir Walter de Frece congratulated the Americans on their success, and welcomed the overseas athletes. Dr A. E. Porritt replied for the dominions. CARGO PILFERING. BRISBANE, July 21. Mr Justice Lukin, commenting in the Supreme Court on the prevalence of cargo pilfering, said that in one year in the Commonwealth £386,000 worth of goods had been stolen, of which Queensland's share was £56,000. The thefts necessitated higher selling prices for the goods sold to the public. His Honor said he wondered why tlve honest majority of the workers did not exercise some sort of reign of terror over the thieves. He sentenced one man to three years in gaol for stealing goods and another to one year in gaol for receiving. A FORMER CONTINENT. DELHI. July 24. An important link in the chain* of our zoological evidence of the existence in the prehistoric ages of a vast continent connecting India with Africa is forthcoming in a discovery at Jubbulpore (Central Provinces) of extensive remains of the armed dinosaur, similar to those tound years ago in Tanganyika. Armed dinosaur remains have not been discovered hitherto in India. It is presumed by experts that the remains were deposited at the end of the Cretaceous period. The discovery is regarded as comparable in interest only with the recent American find of dinosaur eggs in the Gobi Desert. MARRIAGE oF MILLIONAIRESS. LONDON, July 25. Prince Serge Obolensky, a Russian exile, was married to Alice, daughter of Mr John Jacob Astor (who was drowned in the Titanic) and Lady Ribb'.esdale. Three ceremonies were necessary owing to the bridegroom s nationality. The first was in a registry office, the second in the Chapel Royal, Savoy, and the third in the Russian Church. The bride, who is a millionairess, appeared in the registry office in walking costume. She then rushed home and changed into a wedding gown and veil for the religious services. A BELATED DISCOVERY. LONDON, July 25. The ecclesiastical commissioners have made a belated discovery that the Income Tax Act authorises a rebate on all moneys received for charitable purposes. The commissioners have begun an action in the Hight Court claiming a refund trom the Inland Revenue Department of £1,000,000 on four years’ income. Lord Chief Justice Sir Gordon Hewart and Baron Darling granted a rule mandamus calling on the tax office to show cause why it should not refund £1,000,000 levied in taxation on moneys received by ecclesiastical commissioners for charities. NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE. LONDON, July 25. Mr Robert Joyce, after inquiring why New Zealand butter commands a higher price on the London market than Queensland butter, asserts that this is primarily due to habit. There is little difference in the actual value of the best Queensland and New Zealand butters. One detrimental characteristic of Australian butter is its extremely solid texture, making spreading difficult, and it is thus not acceptable for the restaurant or the domestic trade, but it is acceptable to blenders. Further, as Queensland butter is available on the British market for only six months of the year, it is useless for' any British house to specialise in it; while New Zealand butter is available for a longer period. A JURY'S BLUNDER. PARIS, July 24. Owing to a jury’s blunder, a bandit named Alphonse Mourey was sentenced to death in error at the Seine Assize®. Mourey was charged with firing at th* police when he was being arrested for robbery. Under the French law this l® punishable by death, even if a policeman is not hit. Rhe jury was equally divided on the capital charge, which was equivalent to a verdict of “No,” but the jury's written verdict, which was handed to the judge, said “yes.” After the judge pronounced sentence the jury realised its blunder, and met again and decided to inform the authorities. SWIMMIN ~ CONTESTS. LONDON, July 24. Tlie Australian Press Association’s Brussels correspondent says that the entire Australian and American Olympic swimmers took part in contests at the Brussels Baths in the presence of Prince Leopold and a huge crowd. Charlton, swimming leisurely, won the 500 metres in 7min 23sec. Reaurepaire was second and Christie third. Weismuller won the 100 metres without being extended in 62sec. Sam Kahonomoku was second and Henry was third. The American girl, Miss Wehselau, won the 50 metres in 31 2-ssec—an unofficial world's record. BOXING CHAMPIONS. LOS ANGELES, July 21. Dempsey's right arm, which contributed so greatly to his winning the heavyweight crown, is out of commission a 6 the result of an automobile accident while en route to fulfil a kinema engagement. The champion said he escaped death miraculously. His automobile was thrown into a ditch when another car struck it. « NEW YORK, July 21. Luis Firpo, the heavyweight boxer, and a woman named Blanca Louirdes, who was listed as Firpo’s stenographer, were held by the immigration authorities on arrival from Argentina because their passports were insufficiently vised. Firpon

secretary, Edward Carbone, and Miguel Farrar, hia sparring partner, were also detained, all being sent to El'is Island. Firpo was later admitted to the United States as a visitor. THE PRICE OF FLOUR. LONDON, July 22. Standard flour lias risen Is in London to 45s 6d compared with 37s 6d at the beginning of May. The Daily Express says that the British consumers ai'e being held for ransom by an American ring which hopes to gain the votes of the Western farmers thus ensuring a Republican victory at the Presidential election. There has been nothing equal to the present gamble since the Leiter boom. Members of the Baltic exchange say there is no panic in London, but the market is very nervous. Other English experts are of opinion that the American syndicate will burn its fingers badly, as there is no reason to believe that there is a deficiency in the supply tor the United Kingdom. Even if there is a deficiency in the Canadian and United States crops South America will make up the shortage. FORD WORKS “DRY.” NEW YORK, July 22. Mr Henry Ford's ardent prohibitionist views are expressed in an endeavour to compel his employees throughout the country to abstain from, drinking liquors on pain of summary dismissal. Placards, conspicuously posted in his factories, read : Henceforth it will cost a man his job if he has the odour of beer, wine, or liquor on his breath or possesses these intoxicants on his person or in his home. The Eighteenth Amendment is part of tire fundamental law of the land. It is meant to be enforced, and as far as this organisation is concerned it will be enforced to the letter. Prohibition headquarters here received a copy of the placard and declared its gratification at the gradual enlistment of the industrialists in the cause of prohibition. MAN'S TRAGIC FATE. SYDNEY, July 24. A tragic fire at a stable at Camperdown, leased to Mr W. E. Budd, resulted in the loss of about a dozen horses and the death of Jack Sullivan, aged 6t i, who was engaged with many other willing helpers in freeing the horses, numbering 66.^ Sullivan was traped by the flames and burnt to death. When he realised that his escape was out off he climbed to a Ventilator which overlooked the street, but he could only put his head through the opening in the reinforced iron wall. The onlookers made frantic efforts to enlarge the opening, but the flames reached tlve unfortunate man before they managed it. The fire brigade arrived a few minutes too late. Horses valued at £4O each and harness Valued at several hundred pounds were destroyed. A FATAL QUARREL. SYDNEY, July 21. According to reports from Wagga, a dispute arose between two men (John Sheldon and John Lang) rabbiters at a camp ac Wantabatgery. It is alleged that Sheldon attacked Lang, inflicting extensive i tjuries on him. He afterwards tied Bang t > a bed. Sheldon, according to Lang’s s orv, then left for the nearest township, he later returned, but meantime Lang had succeeded in freeing himself, and had hidden behind a door. Presently Sheldon opened the door and advanced towards the bed with an axe in his hands. \\ hen he raised the axe Lang sprang upon him and a desperate struggle endued, in which 1 Lang secured the axe and, it is alleged, inflicted injuries on Sheldon from which the latter died. Lang has been arrested. Details of the tragedy show that the t to men were on a drinking bout when an a tercation arose. It is alleged that it ei ded with them fighting with axes. Both -were terribly injured, and Sheldon succumbed a few hours later. EXHIBITION IN AUSTRALIA. MELBOURNE, July 25. A meeting of the Australian Commission of the British Empire Exhibition gave preliminary consideration to a proposal to hold an International Exhibition in Australia at some future date. Opinions were expressed that the good results achieved at Wembley could be amplified by an exhibition in Australia of products of all countries. It would attract large numbers of visitors. The executive was instructed to make full inquiries and report to another meeting. The meeting also discussed the question of the Commonwealth's participation in the Dunedin and Vancouver Exhibitions. The matter was held over for further consideration. Following upon the diseussion of an international exhibition by the British Empire Exhibition Committee proposals will be placed before the Federal Government for holding a huge international exhibition two or three years hence either in .Melbourne Or Sydney. EMPIRE WIRELESS. LONDON, July 24. Mr W. G. Gibson (Australian Post-master-General), commenting on the wireless agreement, said that the ground was now clear for the dominions to take action. This had hitherto been impossible. It was most satisfactory that the British Government was preparing to give Australia either a super or a beam system. The former could not be erected within two years, and it was essential that communication should be established as early as possible. He said he was confident that the Commonwealth Government would take the necessary steps to connect the two countries with the beam system, alt) .ough it might not be sufficient for all

requirements, as it gave only a sevenhour service, none being business hours. Communications could, however, be obtained in this way within eight months. It might then be necessary to erect a super station to ensure continuous services. OTTAWA, July 24. The radio stations are to be established at Montreal and Vancouver as links in the Empire wireless programme, as a result of arrangements being completed between the British and Canadian Governments and the Marconi Company. The stations will be operated on the shortwave beam system, and will be owned by the Marconi Company. They will have a guaranteed operating speed of 100 words a minute. SHOCKING TRAGEDY. SYDNEY, July 26. Three children were burnt to death when the house of a settler named Walker, in the Warragul district, was totally destroyed. The father was setting traps on the hills at the time. The mother put the children to bed, and left a lighted lamp beside them. She was working in a detached kitchen, and failed to notice the fire until it was too late to enter the burning room. The wall was smashed m, but it was too late to save the children. MELBOURNE, July 27. Alexander Walker, the father o-f the victims of the Warragul tragedy, was badly burned in endeavouring to save his children. When he saw the flames he rushed to the house and attempted to climb in through a window, but was driven back. He then got an axe and smashed in the side of the house, but the room was a roaring mass of fire, and he ljad to retreat. The children were probably then dead. If the father had arrived a few minutes earlier the children would have been saved. The nearest house is a mile and a-lvalf away, and the parents had to attempt the rescue unaided. FLOODS IN INDIA. DELHI, July 25. Floods seriously damaged the railways. The bridges in the high ranges have been completely washed away. One hundred and ten lives have been lost and a number of persons were injured. Trighur is completely isolated by the flood waters. July 24. Appalling floods are occurring in Southern India on a scale hitherto unknown in any part of India so far as the loss of human and animal life and the destruction of public and private property are concerned. Large areas are under water to a depth of Bft. The rivers burst their banks, and are flowing into one another. No proper estimate of the loss of life is yet obtainable, but the official figures of 110 are regarded as being much underrated. The damage to the railways is enormous. The interruption to communication is causing loss and inconvenience throughout India. July 2b. The horrors of the flood in the Madras Presidency have been added to by an earthquake in the hilly region, which has caused heavy damage to communications. NAVAL REVIEW. LONDON, July 26. The picturesque part of the naval review was the acrobatics of the naval aeroplanes. There were various types, and three escorted the royal yacht when she left Portsmouth conveying the King and the Prince of Wales. Prince Arthur of Connaught, Admiralty officials, Allied Conference delegates, members of the Cabinet, and Parliamentarians were conveyed in vessels five miles out to sea. The warships were gaily dressed, and the crews cheered, and there were salutes from the guns. Thousands lined the shores. This was the first fleet concentration since the armistice. There were 196 ships, compared with 206 in the King’s review of 1914, but the difference in composition was remarkable. There were 19 battleships, one battle cruiser, and nine cruisers to-day a-s compared with 55 battleships, four battle cruisers, and 55 cruisers. On the contrary there were 88 destroyers as compared with' 56, and also several new classes of ships, including 37 mine sweepers and two aircraft carriers, of which there were none in 1914. There were also numerous submarines, minelayers, and seaplanes. This is the first post-war mobilisation of the reserve fleet. There will be ten days’ service at sea. The Atlantic fleet joined in for the review off Eastbourne. SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS. CAPETOWN, July 25. The Assembly met this morning. Mr Jansen was unanimously elected Speaker. Parliament was opened" in the afternoon by the Governor-General (the Duke of Athlone). The Speech said that the session was intended merely for passing the Estimates and minor legislative measures which were considered urgent. The Government will repeal the tax on patent medicines and amend the tobacco tax, which contributed to the downfall of the Smuts Government. It will also re-enact retrospectively the Act controlling rents, which expired on June 30. The Speech referred to the growing distress caused by unemployment, drought, and locusts, provision for which is made in the Estimates. A Department of Labour is to be inaugurated to remedy the continued widespread unemployment, to encourage industrial and agricultural development, and to establish land settlement. The estimated expenditure for the curent year totals £24,346,000.

It is expected that a Ministerial announcement will shortly be made that the Government has decided temporarily to .suspend the erection of a super-power wireless station at Klipheuvel in order to give the Wireless Company of South Africa an opportunity of demonstrating

the effectiveness of the new directional beam system. If the trials prove satisfactory the station which is now being erected, and which was to have been Die largest in the world, with 750 kilowatts, will he wholly or partly suspended by a 25-kilowatt station, which it is claimed will work at a higher speed and with greater secrecy. FLOODS IN THE EAST. TOKIO, July 22. Heavy rain has caused floods throughout Korea. There is a serious interruption of communications, especially between the Seoul and Manchurian border. DELHI, July 22. Heavy rain in the Madras Presidency caused the river Cauvery to burst its banks and inundate a great area to a depth of Bft. The river left its course at various points. Many districts are isolated. Enormous damage to property is feared, as well as loss of life. Whole towns were deserted by the inhabitants. PEKING, July 25. Urgent appeals received from the International Famine 'Relief Commission indicate that the present flood emergency is of such proportions that early and decisive steps are necessary if adequate relief is to be provided and further loss of life averted. Catastrophies occurred in the Chihli Iviangsi, Hunan, Fukien, and Kwangtung areas. It is not yet certain whether Tientsin city can be saved. —Reuter. The Famine Commission has addressed a Note to the Government- diplomats, stating that it is organising a national relief campaign, but that Government funds should also be made available. It proposes a surtax on the maritime Customs. The funds are being administered by a joint committee representing the Cabinet and a diplomatic Commission. It is. recommended that the funds should be expended on a loan basis, in that manner establshing a revolving fund, which may be devoted to food and famine prevention when the present emergency is past. A Cabinet meeting resolved in favour of imposing a six months railway, telegraph, postal, and navigation surtaxes to aid the suflerers, following on the lines of the 1920 famine surtax. The question of & navigation tax was deferred for consideration. It is understood that the diplomats will be approached regarding a Customs surtax, which the Government also intends to impose. COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS. LONDON, July 25. At the Commercial Travellers’ Conference Mr Coysh (British secretary) complained that the taxation of British travellers in the dominions hindered trade, and said that it should be removed. Mr J. Davies, of Australia, initiated a discussion on ‘Ehipiro trade. Mr W. Mauton (New Zealand) urged the adoption of the slogan “Trade within the Empire.” Mr Perry, the Canadian president, said he believed Canada's preference would shortly be abolished if Britain was not responsive. The Conference adopted a resolution pledging support of trade within the Empire. SYDNEY, July 27. Speaking at the Commercial travellers’ annual banquet, Mr H. E. Prattan, Commonwealth Minister of Trade and Customs and Health, said that the Government was giving close attention to the question of reciprocal trade with Canada and to the extension of reciprocity treaties with New Zealand and South Africa. It was also giving attention to the question of some practical assistance to the development of trade with the eastern countries. LONDON, July 24. Representatives of the associations in Canada-, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, in addition to members of the Commercial Travellers’ Association of Britain and Ireland, attended the first Congress of Empire Commercial Travellers Associations in London this morning. The Lord Mayor and Lord Kylsant cordially welcomed the delegates. Mr J. Davies, of Australia, read a paper on The Economic Value and Status of Commercial Travellers. Mr W. Manton (New Zealand) said that the commercial traveller there in many cases spent his spare time in prospecting and opening up the country. During a discussion in regard to organising travellers on trade union lines, Mr Coysh (British secretary) said that such a "step would be disastrous and utterly impracticable. It would establish an impassable barrier between employers and travellers. Mr de Rose said the Australian Association would oppose the forming of unions, which would be objectionable to the average traveller.