NEWS BY CABLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3673, 5 August 1924, Page 45

NEWS BY CABLE.

STEAMER IN DISTRESS. MANILA, July 31. The steamer Stanley sent a wireless from the coast of Palawan (Philippine Islands) asking for assistance urgently. BISHOP OE BIRMINGHAM. LONDON, August 1. Canon Barnes, of Westminster, will succeed Dr Wakefield in the bishopric of Birmingham. FRENCH POLITICS. PARIS, July 6t). the Chamber restored the match monopoly, the abolition of which the Poincare Government forced through Parliament. KETCH FOUNDERS. MELBOURNE, August j. I he ketch Eliza Davies while oeing towed in heavy weather in Bass Straits foundered. William Davies, one of the crew of four, was drowned. MOTOR THIEVES. SYDNEY, August 2. ihe police are being kept increasingly busy with motor car thefts and robberies. They are becoming a daily occurrence, and at the week-end the list is consistently heavy. NEW AUSTRALIAN CRUISER. MELBOURNE, July 31. In the House of Representatives the Defence Equipment Bill, allocating £2,500,000 for the new cruiser, was passed through all its stages. PRICE OF FLOUR. LONDON, July 29. The flourmillers announce a further rise in the price of flour of 3s a sack to 48s 6d, compared with 41s 6d on July 1. WESTERN AUSTRALIAN HARVEST. PERTH, July 28. General rams in the agricultural districts have practically assured a good harvest. A MOSUL INCIDENT. CONSTANTINOPLE, July 29. A telegram from Andana states that a British patrol was attacked in the market place at Mosul. There were casualties on both sides. PACIFIC CABLE BOARD. tit ttt r,- LONDON, July 28. Mr \\ . G. Gibson (Commonwealth Post-master-General) conferred with the Pacific Cable Board. He said he considered that it was inadvisable to make a statement at present. MOTOR VESSEL’S FATE. MANILA, July 30. Sixty persons were rescued and oO ' re missing from the motor ship Agusan, canght fire on the Mindanao coast. The passengers were mostly natives. BLAZE IN MELBOURNE. MELBOURNE, July 31. Damage estimated at £15,000 lias been caused by fire, which broke out in a building occupied by Mr A. Kosminsky. at the corner of King and Bourke streets. BASIC WAGE UNALTERED. SYDNEY, August 1. The Board of Trade has decided not to alter the basic wage which remains at £4 2s for adult males and £2 Is 6d tor adult females. PRICE OF FLOUR INCREASED. S 3 DNEY, August 1. The price of flour has been increased t>v 20s to £ls 10s a ton, and a further rise in the price of bread is foreshadowed. FREEMASONRY. LONDON, July 31. Two thousand five hundred Freemasons, including Mr Featon, a New Zealander' were present when the Duke of Connaught, at an impressive ceremony, installed the Duke of York as Provincial 4 Grand Master of Middlesex. RELIEF FOR RINDERPEST SUFFERERS. MELBOURNE, July zb. The Federal Government has decided to grant £IO,OOO to the Western Australian Government for the relief of cases of severe hardship and distress resulting from the rinderpest outbreak. QUEENSLAND SUGAR FOR BRITAIN. SYDNEY, July 31. Arrangements have been made to ship 30,000 tons of Queensland’s sugar crop to Great Britain. This will dispose of more than half the estimated surplus. A TERRIBLE CONFESSION. VIENNA, July 28. A shoemaker and lvis wife “have confessed to the murder of 51 prospective emigrants. The wife enticed the victims to her home, and drugged their wine. The couple lived for two years on the proceeds of their crimes. BEEF EXPORT SUBSIDIES. MELBOURNE, August 2. According to a statement tabled m the House of Representatives, subsidies amounting to £140,532 have been paid during 1924 in respect to frozen beef, canned beef, and live cattle exported from Sydney. CHINA AND RUSSIA. PEKING, August 1. It is understood that M. Karakhan (Russian envoy) has intimated to the dipiomats that the Soviet claims protocol rights,

maintaining that the Soviet has not yet renounced the 1901 protocal. LUIS FIRPO. WASHINGTON, July 31. An investigation into the recent entry into this county of Luis Firpo is promised by Commissioner-General Husband, of the Immigration Bureau at the demand of Canon William Chase, president of the New York Civil League. SURVEYOR'S DEATH. SUVA, August i. Christopher Byers, a Public Works surveyor in charge of the Main Trunk road, was found dead eight miles from Suva. The sum of £4OO which was in his bag was missing. His motor bicycle was not damaged. SCHOOL BUILDING IN N.S. WALES. SYDNEY, July 28. During the past two years 167 new schools were built in the State, 300 were remodelled or added to, and 300 were renovated, stated the Minister of Educa,tion (Mr A. Bruntnell), who said he was asking for an additional grant of £600,000. FAILURE OF A BANK. DELHI, July 28/’ The directors and auditors of the Alliance Bank of Simla, Limited, which failed sensationally last year for a large sum, have been ordered by the High Court of Bengal to be prosecuted in the Civil Court for negligence. RUSSIA AND JAPAN. TOKIO, August 1. Official comment on the London Morning Post’s Paris correspondent’s report of a secret Russo-Japanese treaty is that 't is utterly false, and the opinion is expressed that such reports are being circulated systematically for ulterior reason A NOVEL SUGGESTION. OTTAWA, August 1. Speaking at Tilbury (Ontario) Senator M'Corg advocated the substitution of a radio broadcasting outfit for the Hansard verbatim parliamentary reports. He said he thought the change would effect a large saving as Hansard was rarely read by taxpayers. PRICE OF SUGAR FIXED. SYDNEY, August 1. In order to stop the price cutting under which some grocers are selling sugar down to a pound and are thus making a loss in order to secure other trade, the Retailers’ Association has fixed the‘price at 4§d per lb. EMPIRE TRADE. OTTAWA, July 29. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution stating that the time had arrived to take vigorous steps to consolidate the trade interests of Empire, for which a conference of all associations of manufacturers in the Empire should be arranged. CANNED FRUIT TRADE. MELBOURNE, July 29. Official statistics regarding the output from the canned fruit industry show that in 1923 there were 15 canneries operating under the Commonwealth Fruit Pool. This number had increased to 29 in 1924. The stock held by the pool in 1923 was 1,569,687 dozen tins, and this had increased to 2,059,551 in 1924. BLAZING A TRAIL. DIELHI, July 27. An English engineer named Casper has arrived at Calcutta from Peking, having done the journey on horseback. The crip was undertaken to prospect routes lor telegraph lines from India to China. Apart from the difficulties of travel, no untoward incident occurred. The tribes encountered were most friendly. SPECIAL HEALTH COMMISSION. MELBOURNE, August 2 The Federal Ministry has placed £SOOO on the Estimates for the current year lor the purpose of research into the cause of caneer. It has also decided to appoint a special commission to consider the present system of health legislation and administration, and further to inquire into the general public health of the Commonwealth. EMPIRE SCHOLARSHIPS. LONDON, July 31. The Fellowship of the British Empire, the receipts and subscriptions of which amount to £50,000, proposes to allocate £IO,OOO for the purpose of promoting Inter-Imperial relations by means of Empire scholarships ranging* from £IOO to £IOOO for young people in Britain, with a view of the settlement overseas. PLAGUE PRECAUTIONS. SYDNEY, August 2. As a plague precaution, the city ratcatchers are conducting a series of intensive drives in the city, in addition to increasing the trapping and poisoning work. During the six months of the current year the numbers killed have been comparatively low, showing that the pest had been kept well in hand. RESURRECTION OF THE BODY. LONDON, August 2. Speaking at a conference of cremation authorities at Wembley, Bishop Gore said the idea that the resurrection of the dead meant the re-collection of material atoms of the body at the end of the world was an impossible and unintelligent idea of the material resurrection of body which

received no sanction in the early days of Christianity. THE PRINCE OF WALES. NEW YORK, July 30. A telegram from New London (Connecticut) says that Lord Southborough, a former Civil Lord of the Admiralty, is here arranging for the visit of the Prince of Wales in September. After the Meadowbrook polo matches the Prince will he brought here on a warship and will take the train for Canada. BRITISH BUILDING TRADE. LONDON, July 28. The builders’ strike conference broke down abruptly. Mr Pickles, an official of the Painters’ Union, called Mr Nicholls (the employers’ president) “a slippery eel,’’ whereupon the employers indignantly left the room as a protest against Mr Pickles’s immoderate language. SHIPPING TRANSACTION. LONDON, July 60. The Appeal Court upheld the Crowns appeal against Mr Justice Avery’s decision in the Brocklebanks claim/ awarding £34,920. The court held that the petition of right barred by the Indemnity Act of 1920 the claim before the War Compensation Court by lapse of time. MISHAP TO LECTURER. SYDNEY, August 1. A large gathering at the university ia??t night to hear Professor John Adams lecture was disappointed owing to an accito the professor. He fell downstairs at his club. His injuries are slight, Dut as a precautionary measure he was removed to hospital. It is expected that he will bo able to resume his activities in a day or two. THE BRISBANE'S MISHAP. MELBOURNE, July 29. The naval authorities state that although the chart of the approaches to Port Moresby is not of recent date there are no reasons to suppose that it is either obsolete or misleading. Navigation in coral waters is extremely difficult, and doubtless at the time the Brisbane grounded the conditions were not altogether favourable. The chart which was in use had been corrected up QUEBEC LIQUOR LAWS. OTTAWA, July 29. According to the report of the Quebec Liquor Commission the sale of wines has increased by 600 per cent, in the last two years. There has been a proportionate decrease in the sale of “hard” liquor. The Commission plans to open wine instead of liquor stores wherever it is possible to do so. HUMAN REMAINS UNCOVERED. SY DNEY, August 1. Excavation for electric mains in the vicinity of the Town Hall disclosed a number of coffins and a quantity of human remains. The Town Hall site was formerly a cemetery, which was closed in 1819, when it was supposed that the whole of the coffins had been removed to Rookwood. The present discoveries will be left undisturbed. FOUND DEAD IN LONDON. LONDON, July ql. A well-dressed man, aged 60, was found shot dead in Friar’s Lane, Richmond, with a revolver lying nearby. The man lias been identified as A. F\ Shearman, a horseshoe manufacturer, of New Zealand. His papers showed that he was once well-to-do, but he had sold his land. He had only lid in liis pocket when he died. A DESERT SANDSTORM. BAGDAD, July 51. Reports state that, caught a few days ago in a desert sandstorm, two Royal Air Force officers (Flight-lieutenant Day and Pilot-officer Stewart) were forced to land 18 miles south of Basra, on the Nasirikeh railway line. The machine has since been found, but search has failed to trace the officers, who, it is feared, perished in endeavouring to reach the railway. A CALLOUS MURDER. LISBON, July 29. The mysterious absence of the wife and three children of a miller named Secundino led his father-in-law to seek nis daughter at her home at Santa Marthax. The husband at first persisted that they were on holiday, hut later coolly confessed that he had murdered the four and tied heavy stones to their bodies, which he sank in the mill pond. AGRICULTURAL PROBLEMS. LONDON, July 29. New Zealand delegates attended a conference on agricultural co-operation in the Empire at Wembley. Mr Noel Buxton (Minister of Agriculture), who presided, said that some of the dominions gave specific State assistance to co-operation. The British Government had recently allotted £200,000 for the purpose of loans to co-operative enterprises engaged in the preparation and marketing of agricultural produce. DEFIANT STRIKERS. ST. JOHN’S (Newfoundland), August i. All the available police and one warship are proceeding to Corner Brook, where Alfred Prince, the leader of 4000 strikers at the Humbermouth Paper and Power Works threatens, according to a message he sent to the Prime Minister (Mr Walter Monroe), to lay in ruins the plant and forests unless the Prime Minister himself comes immediately to the scene of the trouble and investigates the facts. FRANCE AND RUSSIA. PARIS, July 31. The Paris correspondent of The Times says: “The stage is rapidly setting for

the opening of Franco-Rtissian recognition. Frequent telegrams are being exchanged between Paris and Moscow. The French Government has assured the Soviet that France is ready to show the godwili necessary for the resumption of normal relations. It asks the Soviet in return to meet the just claims of the French Government.” THE STEAMER FORDSDALE. SYDNEY, August 1. The efforts of the Seamen’s Union to provoke further trouble on the Fordsdale apparently have been futile, as no difficulty was experienced when the vessel arrived yesterday. The officials of the union addressed a meeting of the watersiders prior to the ship’s arrival and endeavoured to induce them to refuse work. However, a resolution was carried in favour of working the boat. THE SOVIET ARMING. LONDON, August 1. The Riga correspondent of The Times says:— “Extensive military preparations are proceeding in Russia. German military experts are now actively co-operating with the Red Army leaders, who have decided to order from - abroad great quantities of technical equipment. In recent months the Soviet has purchased from Holland, Italy, and Switzerland over 700 aeroplanes and 75 submarines, besides larges quantities of rifles and machine guns.” AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS. SYDNEY, July 30. Giving evidence before the Royal Commission which is inquiring into the railways, Sir Mark Sheldon, president of the Chamber of Commerce, said that the administration of the railways should be free from political influence, which at present was exercised to a shocking extent. He instanced the city railway, which tie stated, everyone knew was not being run on business lines, but as a political expedient. TRAGEDY OF THE SEA. TOKIO, July 28. The North Japan Steamship Company’s Taireti Maru was lost off Cape Notoro last evening. One hundred and thirty-eight passengers and 54 of the crew were drowned. Eighteen passengers and five of the crew landed in lifeboats at Notoro village. The cause of the disaster is variously reported, and it is uncertain whether the vessel struck the rocks or collided with another ship. WOMAN’S DOUBLE LIFE. LONDON, July 31. A female Jekyll and Hyde was sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment at the Middlesex Sessions. Bertha Cruel*', married, a devoted mother, and a respectable shopkeeper by day, committed expert burglaries single-handed by night. She was always well-dressed on her expeditions, wearing a fur coat, evening dress, silk underclothing and rings worth £235. She was finally trapped in a drawing room which slve was burglaring. MESOPOTAMIA. LONDON, July 30. In the House of Commons during the debate on Mesopotamia, Mr J. H. Thomas (Colonial Secretary) said that Britain was committed by the late Government to quit in four years, but no one speaking for the present Government could give a guarantee as to what might happen to alter the situation before the end of that period. It was the Government’s intention to “get out,” but it wanted to get out with honour. MENACE OF THE EAST. NEW YORK, August 2. Sir Valentine Chirol, who for a long period was director of the foreign department of the London Times, has drawn attention to the menace that the stirring of the East holds for the Occident. He declared that some way would have to be found for the peaceful adjustment of relations or the world would be plunged into a deadly racial conflict. The races of the East resented the white man’s assumption of superiority. RED POPPIES. LONDON, July 24. The Paris correspondent of the* Daily Chronicle states that 100 women have been engaged on the Somme battlefields for the past fortnight picking thousands of red poppies, beneath which lie many dead Australian soldiers. The poppies, packed in ice, will be shipped from Marseilles to Australia. It is understood that the proceeds from their sale will be remitted to the Somme district for charitable purposes. ARCHITECTURE. LONDON, July 61. Sir John Sulman, a well-known Sydney architect, responding for the dominions at a dinner o{ the International Congress on Architectural Education, advocated creating a Royal Institute of Architects of the British Empire. He said that the appointment of a vice-president from each dominion would help to solve the initial problem. Sir John Sulman will leave for America on August 30 to investigate on behalf of the Commonwealth the question of Uovernment by commission. GIRL SOLD BY AUCTION. LONDON, July 51. The Daily Express’s Geneva correspondent says that a youth living at Bellunzona who tired of his fiance after a year’s engagement, begged to be released. The gill agreed on condition that he found lior a husband, saying: “Mai'riage s a lottery anyway.” So an auction was held at a cafe, and the girl, aged 21, was knocked down at £lB to a young farmer with money. The girl will buy her trous-

seau. The bride’s parents did not raise any objection. EXCURSION STEAMER SINKS. NEW YORK, July 2/. The excursion steamer Gratitude, with 200 people on board, sank in the harbour at Norfolk (Virginia). It is believed that most of the passengers were taken off in small boats. The Gratitude was returning from an excursion with the employees of the Texas Oil Company and their families. Some of those taken off sought refuge on a sunken barge, and stood neck deep in water. It is thought possible that others were carried away by the tide. THE FLOODS IN CHINA. _ , . , PEKING, July 30. Cabinet has approved a proposal to exempt from taxation for a period of four months all articles of clothing, foodstuffs, and shelter materials intended for the relief of flood sufferers. July 30. The level of the river at Hankow has reached 48ft, which is the highest point recorded for 35 years. Continuous pumping of the drains kept the concession from flooding, but with a further rise a flood will bo inevitable. THE BORDEN MURDER. LONDON, July 27. The Home Secretary (Mr Arthur Henderson), after considering the medical reports as to the mental condition of Abraham Uoldenberg, refused to recommend his reprieve. July 30. Abraham Goldenberg was hanged in Winchester Gaol. He remained calm, but as the white cap was adjusted ne twice called out: “Stop. Oh, God, lorgive me!” TRAFFIC IN TITLES. LONDON, July 31. After legal argument in the Parkinson case on the illegality of the contract, Mr Justice Lush dismissed the action and gave judgment for the defendant. His Honor held that a contract to obtain a. title for a contribution to charity was against public policy, and was therefore unlawful; but His Honor decided to deprive Harrison (managing secretary ‘of the College of Ambulance) of his costs on the ground that he had increased them by denying fraud, and by his failure to enter the witness box to meet the allegations. A FRONTIER DISPUTE. LONDON, July 29. The Daily Express says that the Rumanian War Ministry has stopped army leave, mobilised the reserve officers, and begun to concentrate troops in Bessarabia, in which martial law has been declared. The Daily Express’s Bucharest correspondent states that there is excitement, throughout Rumania owing to the appearance of Russian warships off the coast ot Bessarabia, ostensibly for the purpose ot manoeuvres, but large forces of Reds are concentrating simultaneously on frontier. CRIME IN MELBOURNE. MELBOURNE, August 5. In view of the frequency of robberies particularly on F'ridav (pay) nights, m the city, the regular and special police forces have been largely augmented. The latest case is that of Thomas Marriott, a well-known bookmaker, who received a telephone call at his club stating that a woman wished to see him outside. He was suspicious, and placed a revolver in his pocket. When he reached the passage a man grabbed him and two others rushed up. Mr Marriott drew ms revolver and fired a couple of shots, whereupon the men bolted and escaped. WOOL AND FINANCE. MELBOURNE, July 31. An official statement on behalf of the Associated Banks of Victoria says that wool valued at £60,000,000 is in danger of lying idle in Australia if the representations of the bankers to the Commonwealth Notes Board are unsuccessful^ A bank official states that the trouble is that the country's requirements have increased enormously, while the currency has not increased in proportion. During the last two years the deposits increased by over £30,000,000, yet the banks are actually working on less currency. ANGLO-SOVIET CONFERENCE. LONDON, July 31. The Daily Telegraph hints that the Soviet may break off the London negotiations before the British Government. The Telegraph adds that M. Rakovsky before leaving for Moscow is alleged te have circularised his colleagues in other European capitals saying that the delegation had been treated with contempt. “Our creditors have put us against the wall,” he said. “I will recommend an ultimatum and that the delegation oe ordered to leave London at the earliest, moment.” THE PACIFIC CABLE. LONDON, July 29. The Pacific Cable Board considered its experts’ report on wireless in the Pacific and the duplication of the cables on the Fiji-Vancomver section. It is understood that the experiments proved that the Pacific is exceptionally favourable for wireless. As a new form of cable is at present in operation near the Azores, and another section is being constructed, the board decided to give these a full trial before d,eciding between duplication and wireless. DIET OF SHELLFISH. LONDON, July 28. Four French holiday-makers, including a woman, were fishing in the English

Channel, when they were caught in a heavy storm. They succeeded, a,ter having been buffeted for two days, in reaciiing the uninhabited rocky islet of Ecrehou, where their boat was wrecked, they subsisted for four da\s on sliellush, sutiering tortures trom lack of water, mey were on the brink of collapse when they were rescued by Mrs Bobbins, the widow of a British officer, who visits the islets weekly to feed the birds and succor castaway fishermen. DEFJ A NT RAI L\V AY MEN. SYDNEY, July 50. The leading branches of the Federated Engine-drivers and Firemen’s Association have reiterated their defiance of the .arbitration Court, and have decided to instruct the federal president and secretary to refuse to accept the proposed new award and to form a council of action to discuss what future action shall be taken. It was agreed, if the new claims are refused, that a strike shall be called. It was decided to get into touch with the Labour councils throughout Australia with a view to securing a united front by all organised Labour in pressing their claims*. AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION. MELBOURNE, July 31. Draft agreements for the operation of the new migration proposals have been received by Mr Bruce. It is proposed that Great Britain shall lend the Commonwealth Government £34,00Q,0G0 lor land settlement and development work, and the Commonwealth Government in turn will lend money to the States, wmch will administer the expediture. the Commonwealth Government and 'Great Britain will share the larger part of the interest charges, the States will receive the money at a nominal rate of interest. The Federal Parliament will discuss the proposals before definite action is taken. ANTIDUMPING REGULATIONS. SYDNEY, July zB. At the annual banquet of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr H. E. Pratten (Minister of Trade and Customs) announced that he proposed to make an important amendment to the Anti-dumping Act regulations, regarding all imported goods, ot which no gazettal under the Act has been made. No dumping duty will be collected on deposit in future until the goods have been gazetted by the Minister. However, where very large shipments of any particular goods might prove in themselves a detriment to Australian industry, the collector may take a deposit until the matter is determined by the Minister. THE EVEREST TRAGEDY. LONDON, July 29. The Daily Mail states that the deaths of Messrs Mallory and Irvine were foretold by the Abbot of Rongbuk before the High Lama. The abbot is credited with the possession of second sight. He warned the porters that a further assault on Everest would be attended by disaster, because, though the spirit of the mountain had been merciful up to that . time, it would wreak vengeance on future disturbers *of his eternal peace. It is significant that after this warning the porters were disinclined to make the long ascent, suggesting that their morale was affected. AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. MELBOURNE, July 28. Sir John Luke, in an interview, said he thought that the languages of Australia and New r Zealand were varying. The Australians were dropping into a characteristic twang or intonation which was difficult to describe, but New Zealand was trying to keep to the English way, which he thought was better. Sir John said that Australia was producing beautiful women who were taller than the New Zealanders, hut they did not have the same bloom on cheeks. He added that the reason why few painted and rouged faces were noticed in New Zealand in comparison with the Australian cities was because of the difference in complexions. THE* DOUGLAS MAWSON. BRISBANE, July 29. Dr Jensen, formerly Director of Mines and chief Government geologist in the Northern Territory, states that he believes that the natives’ story of the Douglas Mawson is based on fact as the natives along the gulf from Cape Wilberforce to the Roper River are the biggest, strongest, and most ferocious in the territory. They are also reputed to be cannibals and lew whites who have ventured into their country have returned. He added that the search party should be very strongly equipped in order to withstand sudden spear onslaughts by the savages. DARWIN, August 1. The expedition against Die blacks was delayed in starting owing to engine trouble on the Huddersfield. It is expected that it will be three days before she is ready. HUSBAND SHOT TO END PAIN. PARIS, July 28. The right to kill was the defence ot Stanislawa Uminska, a Polisli actress, w ho was charged with shooting her husband, who was slowly dying of cancer of the liver. Mile Uminska gave her evidence amid sobs. Stretching out her arms pleadingly to the magistrate, she said : “i loved him. I had to kill him to end his sufferings, which were terrible to see. He continually pleaded with me to kill him. He gave me a revolver, and saia that. a. bullet in the mouth would bring instant death. I refused, but when I saw his tortures increasing without hope of recovery I shot him when he was sleeping.” RUSSIA AND JAPAN. LONDON, July 31. The Morning Post’s Paris correspondent 6B the authority of well-informed per-

sons, exclusively transmits the details of Russo-Japanese Treaty which is on the point of signature if it, is not a.ready signed. It is' stated that under this treaty Japan undertakes to furnish Russia with heavy artillery, and to trail,ter the surplus warships which Japan was obliged to disarm under the Washington Agreement, while Russia undertakes to cede to Japan all her righLs over the all deposits in northern Saghalien, ensuring an ample supply of fuel for the Japanese navy. THE BRAZILIAN REVOLT. RIO DE JANEIRO, July 23. The Government of Brazil claims that the rebels capitulated and tied after doing great damage at Sao Paulo during the bombardment. More than 30,C00 Federal troops were engaged over the week-end. Placards announce that the F ederai troops have occupied the city of Itu, 8U miles to the north-west, and are endeavouring to cut off the retreat of the revolutionary forces. MONTEVIDEO, August 1. It is stated in an authoritative quarter that the withdrawal of the rebels from bao Paulo is a strategic move, and that Die revolt is still formidable. A rebel army of _ 30,000 is- said to be proceeding to the interior of the fetat-e of Sao Paulo. GERMANY AND RUSSIA. LONDON, July 30. The Berlin correspondent of The Times says: ‘‘Germany and Russia are friends again. The diplomatic conflict which arose as a result of the police raid on the Berlin offices of the Russian Trade Delegation in May last has been settled by a" protocol embodying the terms of an agreement to be signed. It provides that all the measures taken as a result of the conflict, including the breaking off of trade relations by the Soviet, will oe immediately withdrawn. The Russian Trade Delegation will be re-established, and it is prescribed that the officials henceforth sTTall receive a guarantee of extraterritorial rights. The Ambassador, who was absent from Berlin throughout the trouble, is expected to return in a ew days.” THE EASTBOURNE MURDER. LONDON, July 27. Thousands of Eastbourne holiday-makers are taking motor char-a-banc trips to the bungalow where Miss Emily Kaye was murdered, and are paying Is a head for admission, of which the Government grimly receives 2d as entertainment tax. The remainder is shared between the owner and a neighbour, who acts as guide. The surroundings of the bungalow have become like a fair, with icecream stalls and sellers. The owner of the bungalow said he was forced to admit the public, as hundreds had surrounded the place and threatened to break in unless he admitted them. He added that he intended to make grants to charities out of the receipts. July 28. The owner of the Eastbourne bungalow has decided not to admit any more sightseers. MUTUAL GUARANTEE PACT. BERLIN, July 80. The Government has informed the League’s secretariat of its disagreement with the Mutual Guarantee Pact as being ill-fitted to ensure universal security and the limitation of armaments. The Government also points out that a totally disarmed Germany would he in an impossible position, and submits an alternative suggestion—viz., that instead of piling up treaties and agreements subsidiary to the Covenant, the latter itself should be more thoroughly developed. The German Government urges that the violent settlement of disputes should be prohibited, and that an arbitration court for political disputes should be instituted. The Government especially contends that disarmament- should be compulsory on all States, adding that Germany -would then be ready to enter a society of nations* and to co-operate in the preservation of peace. LONDON, July 61. Dealing with the proposed Treaty of Mutual Assistance, the Berlin correspondent of The Times says : ‘‘The German Government’s views are contained in the report of its experts, to whom the matter was referred. The Government subscribes to this report, which has been sent to the League of Nations. It draws attention to the fact that a definition of what constitutes a war of aggression is left no the League Council, which is also empowered to organise the measures to oe adopted against the aggressor, especially in summoning military forces. The experts point out that Germany, in view of her complete lack of armaments, would be m an impossible position if she were compelled to abandon her neutrality and to join in an armed conflict n 3 the result of a decision by the League. Germany could not agree to any such scheme.” HONOUR TO THE DEAD. LONDON, August 2. The King of the Belgians unvailed the Messines New Zealand memorial, which is on a commanding position on the brow of a hill overlooking the old front trenches, the panorama including the historic battle grounds. The gathering included General Godley, General Braithwaite, General Chaytor, Sir James Allen and Lady Allen, and Sir George Fenwick and Lady Fenwick. The memorial was dedicated by the Rev. Frank Dunnage, of Christchurch. King Albert expressed Belgium’s gratitude tor the New Zealanders’valour and generosity. The ceremony was most impressive, and the Burgomaster undertook to keep the monument in good condition. Sir James Allen placed a wreath on the memorial on behalf of New Zealand. Sir James Allen to-morrow will unveil the Gravenstafel memorial.

RAILWAY COLLISION. LONDON, July 28. Four persons were killed and 29 were injured through a collision at Haymarket Station, Edinburgh. July 29. The accident was caused through an in-coming train running into a stationary train. Four carriages of the latter were teiescoped. The victims of the smash were mostly women and girls. T he members of a Polytechnic holiday party from London, Oxford, and Manchester, who were residing temporarily .n a hostel at Edinburgh, had been on an excursion to Saint Andrews, and naa just been transferred to a stationary suburban train. Seventy-five minutes elapsed before the last of those injured could be extricated from the telescoped carriages. Every movement of the structure with crowbars evoked groans from those who were pinned underneath. Doctors succoured the imprisoned persons with brandy while the rescuers were smashing tlve woodwork. FIJI BANANAS. SYDN EY, August 2. Mr Grahame, Mayor of Suva, who is visiting Sydney, makes a vigorous protest against the Commonwealth Government s duty on Fiji bananas. He complains that the loss of the Australian trade has bit the white planters hard and has reduced the direct steam service with Sydney to one vessel a month. Before the duties were imposed the monthly shipment of bananas to Sydney was valued at £30,000. Fiji’s demand for Australian goods had also shrunk greatly, and Fiji now obtains most of its supplies direct from Britain. The closing of the Australian market had left New Zealand as the only marxet available for bananas. Mr Grahame urged that it was essential to foster a stable and financially independent white population in Fiji in order to prevent control by the Indian elements which were making ever-increasing demands for equal status. Alien colour m a place of such strategic importance could not fee politically regarded with indifference. EMPIRE WIRELESS. LONDON, July 81. The agreement between the Marconi Company arrd the Postmaster-General tor the construction of beam stations mentions that the charge for the transmission of telegrams to Canada shall not exceed the cable rates, and elsewhere in the Empire they shall not exceed two-thirds of the cable rates. August 1. Speaking in the House of Commons with reference to the agreement with the Marconi Company, the Postmaster-General (Mr V. Hartshorn) said he understood that arrangements similar to those now being made with Australia and South Africa for the erection of beam stations had already been made with Canada. Replying to critics, Mr Hartshorn contended that if at the end of 12 months they took over a service which complies with all the stipulated guarantees it would he a substantial and profitable business. He hoped that the erection would be begun almost immediately after the ratification of the agreement. The House approved of the agreement with the Marconi Company. NAURU ISLAND. LONDON, July 28. The Australian Press Association has been authoritatively informed that the newspaper cablegrams from Australia imputing recalcitrance by the British Government in reference to Nauru resulting in a deadlock are wholly unfounded. It is also untrue that the agreement between Britain, Australia, and New Zealand will expire in 1925. The agreement is perpetual, but the allocation of the output from Nauru is reviewable every fiveyearlv period, the first of which is in 1925." Mr Dickinson, the British Phosphate Commissioner, is of opinion that Britain cannot afford to surrender her rights under the agreement because Nauru and Ocean Island possesses the most valuable deposits in the Empire. The only reason why Britain is not participating in the output is because the North African product is cheaper owing to the exchange rate. Speaking with 20 years’ knowledge of Nauru and' Ocean Island deposits, lie considers that they are sufficient for 100 years. THE ANTHRAX SCOURGE, NEW YORK, July 27. Anthrax is raging amongst the cattle in the State of Mississippi. Five negroes who were stung by flies from infected carcases died. July 29. A telegram from Memphis (Tennessee) states that an epidemic of anthrax is sweeping Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi and has caused the deaths of 20 persons and more than 10,000 head of live stock. The local State and Federal officers are mobilising all the means available to check the scourge. An inter-State Anthrax conference has been called to devise methods to combat the plague and centralise demands upon Washington for emergency relief appropriations. The local authorities are faced with further difficulties because the negroes refuse to bury dead animals lest they themselves ' contract the disease. Special ordinances have been passed requiring dead animals to be burned, together with the waggons in which they are. moved. Meanwhile all versons capable of administering anti-toxins _ to animals have been pressed into service. The authorities state that the disease is spread from the carcases by flies, dogs, and vultures. THE FLOODS IN TNDTA. DELHI, July 28. As a result of the floods the boys’ school at Cheruthuruthy (Cochin State) col-

lapsed. One teacher and 64 scholars were killed, and many injured. July 29. Cholera has broken out in the vast flooded areas in Southern India, The waters are still rising. Heartrending reports are filtering in from the isolated districts. The floods out off the Bangalore light supply. The officials in Mysore State and in British India are taking active measures to succour many thousands of homeless people, *who are on the brink of starvation. It is reported from Ahmadabad that, apparently as a consequence ol the rains, a portion of a ginning mill collapsed. Twenty-six persons were sent to hospital. It is "believed that 60 are still beneath the debris. July 80. The floods in the Madras Presidency are beginning to subside, and attention is being devoted to the relief of the sufferers. Ahmadabad reports that four persons were killed by the collapse of the ginning mill. The debris is still being searched. August 1. The death-roll owing to the collapse of the mill at Ahmadabad now totals 17. CANADIAN FARM PRODUCE. OTTAWA, July 28. A telegram from Montreal says that the rise in the prices of farm produce continues unabated. Cotton has increased by 22 dollars a hale, representing a rise of 220 points over the week-end. This ascendancy, however, was checked by the Cotton Exchange ruling which halts trading for a day whenever the daily fluctuation totals 200 points. Cotton for October delivery gained over four cents over the week-end, reaching 30 cents a pound. This caused consternation on the foreign markets ana in the spinning centres which fear the effect of the prohibitive price levels oil domestic consumption. In the meantime the United States wheat continues to hover in the vicinity of 134 cents, whereas Winnipeg wheat is quoted at 150 cents. The latter price us being now investigated by Canadian Government officials, who declare that speculators circulated alarmist reports regarding the condition of Western Canada's crop in order to reap enormous profits resulting from last week’s rise. The optimism likewise caused other grains to rise sympathetically. Maize, which is largely fed to live-stock, reached 111 cents, bringing a consequent increase in the price of live-stock, notably hogs, which reached 10 dollars a hundredweight, the highest price since 1922, ana representing a gain of three dollare a hundred-weight within a fortnight, THE BY FLEET MURDER. LONDON, July 28. Vaquier’s appeal has been dismissed. Vaquiar was found guilty of murdering Alfred Jones, owner of the Blue Anchor Hotel at Byfleet, by administering poison. July 80. M. Herrioi has written to Mr Arthur Henderson (Home Secretary) appealing for the life of Jean Pierre Vaquier. Earge numbers of petitions for his reprieve are being opened. Mr Ben Turner, a member of the House of Commons, writing to the Daily Herald, says: “The doubts and dangers surrounding the case make me urge the Home Secretary not to hang Vaquier.” The "Daily Herald, supporting the appeal, affirms that in the neighbourhood where the crime was committed there is a widespread belief that the whole of the facts have not been disclosed. It emphasises the Frenchman’s disadvantage in his defence owing to his ignorance of the English languarge. Tuly 31. The Daily Chronicle’s legal correspondent says that Vaquier xvas proved guilty on clearest evidence, but public opinion was disturbed, feeling that Vaquier alone was bearing the consequences of the crime. The public' was not satisfied that full justice had been meted out. M. Harriot's entourage emphatically deny that M. Herriot interceded on behalf of "Vaquier. The French Government would not interfei’e with British justice. M. Herriot, however, sent a personal letter to Mr Henderson asking that the fullest consideration should be given to any extenuating circumstances. SOUTH AFRICAN AFFAIRS. CAPETOWN, July 50. The Prime Minister (General Hertzog) stated that the Government did not intend to proceed with the Class Areas Bill which provided for the segregation of Indians in the urban areas. The question aroused much opposition on the part of the Indian population. July 30. Questioned in the Assembly regarding the release of ex-General Maritz, the Prime Minister (General Hertzog) said it was clear to him that so long as Maritz remained a prisoner a feeling of bitterness would prevail rightly or wrongly amono- tens of thousands of persons. All realised that Maritz had done wrong, but they must all agree that the sooner he was released the sooner it would put an end to that feeling of bitterness. Now that the European War was over—-now, as never before in its history—South Africa should he made to feel that ihe Dutch and English should stand together and should end the friction of the past. He added that ex-General Maritz had not been granted a free pardon, out merely a remission of his sentence. The Minister of Finance (Mr N. C. Havenga) announces that there will be no change in the income tax. The Government proposes to offer a new loan in London later in the year, a ml an internal loan immediately. Ihe Minister intimated that there was a possibility of the Union having to take steps to resore the gold standard in advance of Great Britain. The Government required

the advice of experts, and it therefore proposed speedily to appoint a committee of experts to inquire into the matter and advise the Government. AMENITIES OF RACING. SYDNEY, July 30. Mr G. D. Greenwood interviewed said that the reason why he brought Gloaming so often to Australia was because whether he won or merely ran in a race he knew the Sydney people appreciated a good horse. He knew he would get a good reception— not like ‘‘that* affair” in the Christchurch Challenge Stakes, when there was an outcry after the race. Explaining the circumstances, Mr Greenwood said there were only three runners. Ono of them, the two-year-old Gaillard, played up, and interfered with Gloaming. Naturally the latter resented this. The starter sent Gloaming to the outside of the field though that was against the rules of racing in New Zealand, which stipulate that a horse can be ordered to stand behind the field but not sent to the outside. Gloaming was turned side oil when tlve barrier rose, and he raced off at a tangent. Before he could be straightened he had given the other two runners 20 lengths start. Even so Razzle Dazzle beat him only by a short head, making it obvious what* a good thing it would have been for Gloaming with an even start. After tlve race there was a peculiar demonstration. It was a mixed affair—some cheering Gloaming for such a good performance, others possibly shouting in glee at his downfall, and the backers of Razzle Dazzle cheering because he had won for them. Mr Greenwood added: “I know from experience that things will be different in Australia. Whatever happens Gloaming will get a hearty welcome at Randwiek if he goes fit and well to the post, whether he can win or not.” Gloaming landed sound and well, and Mr Greenwood expects him to show good form. At the present time some 30 New Zealand racehorses are housed at'Chisholm’s stables at Randwiek. THE TEHERAN OUIR AGE. DELHI, July 28. The Persian Consul-General at Bombay publishes the text of a letter from ihe Foreign Minister deploring the recent murder in Teheran. The letter contradicts the statement in the protest by the foreign diplomats in Teheran to the Persian Government that the police and the military took no steps to protect the vie-, time from the infuriated mob, and contends that so vigorous was the action of the forces of the law that three armed police and ono soldier were killed and others were injured. The rigorous punishment of the offenders was promised. July 30. The American Legation has not received the Persian Government’s reply to the American Note regarding the murder of Major Imbrie, but a newspaper publishes a letter from the Persian Foreign Minister to the American Minister, in which he says that his Government and the nation" were horrified at the deed, and every endeavour was being made to find the culprits, who would be severely punished. The Government willingly consented to the transfer of the remains of Major Imbrie across Persia for embarkation on an American warship, and to defray the expenses in that connection, and pay proper compensation to Major lmbrie’s widow. It is considering guarantees for the security of American citizens. WASHINGTON, July 28. America has sent a Note to leberan threatening to break off relations with. Persia unless those who are guilty are punished for the murder of the Consul (Major Imbrie). The Note demands a guarantee for the protection of American officials in Persia. July 30. The American Minister at Teheran (Mr Ivornfeld) has advised the State Department that the Persian Government has given an assurance of the safety of United States citizens. Teheran is under martial law, and is perfectly tranquil. July 31. The Persian Government assures the State Department that it will take steps in regard to the Imbrie incident, leaving no ground whatever for anxiety on the part of the United States Government, This action was taken in reply to an American communication regarding the full protection of Americans in Persia, and threatening to break off diplomatic relations as a result of the killing of the American Vice-Consul, Major Imbrie, and the subsequent attack upon his wife. The Persian Government further declared that it would repair the incident and fulfil the points suggested by the United Slates.