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Otago Witness, Issue 3768, 1 June 1926, Page 50

When the monster car finished its phenomenal performance it was surrounded by great crowds, the majority, of whom were the new type of speed girl, only to be found at It rook lands, attired in what might he termed extraordinary streamline costumes and baU, which were elegant representations of favourite racing helmets. They chatted about gears, differentials, and acceleration faster than “Dabs” travelled. “Babs" is a composite car equipped with ft 400-horse power American Aero engine, developing 800 horse-power. FUTURE OF POLAND. WARSAW, May 26. How Poland escaped a dictatorship is explained by Marshal Pilsud6ki in an interview. He said that for six months Jie was vainly striving for the moral and political reforms in Poland, especially in the army. “What particularly annoyed me,’ ’he said, “was the impunity of the new rich. This decided me to act, but only against the Government, and not against the President (M. VVojcie chouski).” Marshal Pilsudski said he regretted the President's refusal to treat with him and the failure of his attempts at media ion before his final victory. He said he did not desire a dictatorship, which would throw the whole burden of affairs on one man, whereas the arduous daily toil of many was necessary to reform the State. Marsha] Pilsudski said that he was proud of accomplishing something unique in carrying out the coup d'etat, which he immediately legalised into a sort of revolution without revolutionary results. Marshal Pilsudski evaded the question whether or not he would accept the Presidency He said that he was awaiting the nomination of a number of candidates, whom he would afterwards summon to his house and demand a joint undertaking that they would not have connection with political parties, banks, business groups, or similar interests. ITALIAN IMPERIALISM. ROME, May 28 In a speech in the Senate upon foreign affairs, Signor Mussolini demanded a place in the sun for etaly. He declared that Italian Imperialism was demonstrating the dignity of the Italian people. Above ail moral dignity there existed the need of economic and intellectual expansion for tile nation which had arrived a little late. Italian lmjierialism was not of the aggies »ivo or explosive character which led to war. The Fascist Government's following could only pursue a policy of peace, hut the desire for peace did not connote disarmament. Disarmament must be total, otherwise it would be a sorry comedy; it must be total on the sea, on the land and in, the air There could be no idea of disarmament solely on land while naval armaments were maintained, or on the land or sea when aerial armaments were permitted. Until all States effectively disarmed themselves Italy could not disarm without running the risk of losing her independence and liberty. Yeung Italy must find a place in the su He believed it would be able to do so gently when the time came. He believed Italy's allies in the war would decide to meet her legiti mate claim, but he emphasised the fact that nothing would be given to anybody until Italy was satisfied. Italy had no intention of giving up the formidable weapon of a veto in the League of Nations. THf! LABOUR OFFICE. GENEVA, May 27. The International Labour Conference defeated, by 77 votes to 23 a resolution proposed by the British employers’ delegates on behalf of the employers challenging the competence of the conference in the matter of emigration. The employers group not merely submitted a resolution to the effect that migration was not within the competence of the Li&our organisation but announced that it would abstain from a discussion of the matter either in committee or at the con ference. A long debate ensued, the conference eventually voting that the ques tion remain on the ageuda. Many Government delegates are of opinion that the qustion is ultra vires, but they are not able to take action as the question of competence uas not raised when the Governments replied to the questionnaire. At a meeting of the employees repre- >• sentatives Mr Beasley (Australia) vigorously protested against the hurried and confused nature of the proceedings and also objected to the principle of appointing the same workers* delegates to the committees year after year. He said that the newcomers should he considered The ''overseas delegates were being overlooked and this was bound to create a bad impression in Labour circles. Mr Beasley has been appointed a substitute delegate on the Selection Committee which regulates the work of the conference and also a member of the Migration Committee. GERMANY'S TROUBLES. uOXDON, May 28 Germany is at the cross roads, and the fate of the republic is in the balance, says the Berlin correspondent of the Daily News. The Republicans and Monarchists, real Li-q; that the referendum on the Hoyt ’ property on J une 20 may finally solve the constitutional problem, are now marshalling their forces. The terms of the proposed law, on which the referen durn will be held, explain the Monarchists’ violence and vehemence; also the ex Kaiser’s fears. It provides that the entire Roys! properties-shell be confiscated and handed over to unemployed war cripples, peasants, small investors pensioners, and othei victims of the war and its aftermath, while the Royal castles, palaces, and shooting boxes will be transformed into hospitals and schools. Tbe Monarchists and the notoriously turbulent Fascist wild men are drilling on tbe big estates within two hours’ railway journey from Berlin. This explains the persistence of the report of an imminent Monarchist rising.

The Republicans, including the Democrats, Socialists, and the majority of the Catholic workers, are preparing to parry the blow. The Communists are recouciled to indefinitely deferred Red parades, and have agreed, in the event of emergency, to join the Republicans. In the meantime, the Monarchist effervescence is growing, owing to the operations of the Hohenzollern agents, especially in reactionary Bavaria. The idea of s coup, upsetting the Government and setting up a dictatorship, thereby stalling off the referendum, is winning favour among the wild men. OBITUARY. LONDON, May 24. The death is announced of Sir John Williams, the well-known physician and president of the University Colloge of Wales, at the age of 86 years. PEKING, May 27 The death is announced of Sir Paul Chater, a member of the Hongkong Executive Council.

LONDON, May 29. The death is announced of Admiral Sir VVilmot Hawksworth Fawkes, K.C.8.. K.C.V.0., LL.D. The death is announced of Sir James Cantlie, K.B.E.