NEWS BY CABLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3898, 27 November 1928, Page 49

NEWS BY CABLE.

LORD INVERCLYDE. LONDON, November 20. Lord Inverclyde was granted a decree nisi on the ground of his wife’s misconduct. BRITISH LABOUR PARTY. LONDON, November 19. Mr John Scurr, the Labour member for Stepney, has resigned from the Labour Party because of dissension in the party in connection with the CookMaxton campaign. RACING IN ENGLAND. RUGBY, November 20. The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr A. M. Samuel) stated in Parliament that the approximate amount derived .from betting duty during the year ended October 31 was £2,279,000. THE EARL OF LIVERPOOL. LONDON, November 23. The Earl and the Countess of Liverpool will sail for New Zealand tomorrow by the - Remuera. NEW ZEALAND ACTOR. LONDON, November 22. The New Zealander Mr Shayle Gardner has returned from Berlin, where he played the lead in two films for British and foreign productions. . Miss Eve Gray played in one of them. SUZANNE LENGLEN. PARIS, November 22. Mlle Suzanne Lenglen’s father has taken charge of her affairs. He has written to a French sporting paper stating that Suzanne will not enter a public court again. BEQUESTS TO CHURCHES. LONDON, November 24. Miss Annie Grant Tindall, of Grafton, New South Wales, ■who left an English estate valued at £30,709, has bequeathed £lOOO each to the dioceses of Grafton and Gunyan and the Bush Brotherhoods of both places. PENNY POSTAGE. LONDON, November 23. Mr Winston Churchill stated in the House of Commons that, contrary to reports, there is no intention to revert to penny postage for letters in the near future. The reintroduction of penny postage on a pre-war basis would entail a loss to the Treasury estimated between £3,2250,000 and £7,250,000.

COLLEGE FOR MALTA. MALTA, November 20. There is much rejoicing over Lady Strickland’s promise of £5OOO a year during her life and £lOO,OOO under her will for the establishment of a Roman Catholic college for boys to be run on English lines. OBITUARY. SYDNEY, November 21. The death is announced of Mr Olav Pauss, Consul for Norway, aged 65. He was an outstanding figure in shipping circles, being agent for the Norwegian and Australian Line. BERLIN, November 22. The death is announced of Hermann Sundermann, poet and playwright. MR ANDREW FISHER. LONDON, November 21. A committee has been formed, with Sir Newton Moore as chairman, and Mr C. A. B. Campion as vice-chairman, and including Lord Lamington, Lord Glendyne, Sir Thomas Robinson, Sir Frederick Young, and Mr J. H. Thomas, with a view to the erection of a memorial over the grave of the late Mr Andrew Fisher as a tribute to his great and invaluable services to Australia and the Empire. SWEATED GOODS. LONDON, November 19. Sir Phillip Cunliffe-Lister answered in the negative a question by Commander Bellairs in the House of Commons whether he was aware that all parties desired to prevent competition from and the consumption of sweated goods, and whether he would obtain a report on the wages, hours, and health conditions in the Levant dried fruit trade. BIG EXHIBITIONS. PARIS, November 20. Forty-one nations are attending a conference at which a convention is being drawn up imposing a period of 15 years between first-grade international exhibitions at which participants are required to build pavilions, and 10 years between second-grade exhibitions in the same country. It is a foregone conclusion that the British Empire Exhibition will not be included. Mr H. T. Drew is representing New Zealand. POLAR EXPLORATION. LONDON, November 20. The Berlin correspondent of the Daily Telegraph learns that Dr Eekener and Dr Nansen have agreed on a-joint Zcppe-

lin North Polar exploration, and the final details are being arrangel with the Ministry of Communications to-day. The flight is expected to last 10 days. Captain Bruhns and Professor Fillinger will be lowered when the Zeppelin is over the Pole, and they will make scientific observations. CABLES AND WIRELESS. PARIS, November 21. Officials of the Radio of France and of the French cable companies admit having negotiated with a view to a merger similar to that in Britain, but an agreement has not yet been reached. The Radio of France controls radio communication with Britain, Austria, Spain, Rumania, Norway, and Czecho-Slovakia, and the Cable Company controls the former German cable to New York, which was awarded to France under the Treaty of Versailles. SECRETARY FOR WAR. LONDON, November 23. Sir Laming Worthington-Evans, Secretary of State for War, to-day announced to the Colchester Conservative Association his x decision not to stand for re-elec-tion fo r that constituency at the coming general election. In a letter he states that his health is not strong enough to enable him to do his work as Minister and look after a country constituency. It is understood that a safe seat is to be found for him nearer London. ROSS SEA WHALING. LONDON, November 22. A British company is being formed with a capital of £350,000 for whale fishing in the Ross Sea. It is negotiating to buy the White Star steamer Runic for conversion into a floating factory. The oil will be brought to Europe and used for margarine, soap, and lubricating purposes. This oil company will be the third British enterprise operating in the Antarctic. Norwegians will control the technical processes with the assistance of Bfritish ex-naval men. CANADIAN TRADE, OTTAWA, November 21. The Minister of Customs (Mr Euler) announces that after February 1 goods entering Canada under British prefer- . <,ntial rates must be made of 50 per ceift. of Empire materials and by 50 per cent, of Empire labour. The present percentage required is 25 in each ease. Tlfe change, it is hoped, will stimulate production within the Empire. A corresponding provision is made in regard to imports under the intermediate tariff governed by-special treaties and conventions. • ■ - -

DEVASTATED AREAS. LONDON, November 22. M. Forgeot (Minister of Wor?s) has issued a report indicating that the reconstruction of the devastated areas is practically complete. The industries are now more efficient than they were before the war. M. Forgeot estimates the total cost to date roundly at £1,000,000. ; The budget estimates for 1929 contain a further £40.000,000. IRISH FREE STATE. BERLIN, November 20. The German Government has agreed to the proposal of the Irish Free State to establish a legation at Berlin. RUGBY, November 22. The appointment of Professor Timothy Smiddy, Free State Minister at Washington, to the vacant post of High Commissioner in London, in succession to Mi James M'Neill, who is now GovernorGeneral, was announced in the Dail. THE PORT OF LONDON. LONDON, November 22. The Port of London Authority has arranged for Mr T. R. Toovey, principal assistant to the general manager, to tour'Australia and New Zealand in 1929. He will endeavour to address all the principal chambers of commerce and business communities, showing films and lantern slides depicting the many-sided activities of the Port of London. EMPIRE FOUNDATIONS. * TORONTO, November 22. The Prime Minister (Mr Mackenzie King), when speaking to the Board of Trade, declared that his Administration entered the diplomatic field not only to assume responsibility for Canada’s external affairs, but also because it believed that consultation and eo-opera-tion with British Ambassadors abroad would serve to broaden the base and secure more firmly the foundations upon which the British Empire Governments rested, and make for British unity and its permanency, as well as world peace. IMPECUNIOUS PEERS. LONDON, November 22. The House of Lords is rapidly becoming Americanised through impecunious peers being forced to marry heiresses—generally from the United States—to restore thenfortunes, so an Oxonian (Dr F. C. Schiller) told the Royal Society. He said this was expedient sometimes, but biologically ruinous, as heiresses were often the last effort of a degenerate, exniring stock. Dr Schiller suggested as a remedy that when the first holder of a peerage died his children and .grandchildren should meet to choose one whom they regarded as the worthiest successor.

THE SALVATION ARMY. - r LONDON, November 20. The Daily Express states that in the event of the death of General Booth the secret envelope nominating his successor cannot be opened till the High Council meets. General Booth’s family are anxious to emphasise that they in no way impute unkindness and distrust to those responsible for the summoning of a council. They recognise that the conveners have given their lives in the cause, and solely desire the welfare of the Salvation Army. CALL OF THE HOME. LONDON. November 19. “ I have asked myself whether it is either possible or desirable to continue loyal service in the House o? Commons, in view of the appeal of my young family, who are between the ages of seven and fourteen, when they are most susceptible to home influences,” said Mrs Philipson at a meeting of the Berwick Conservative Executive. She added: “ Frankly, it is impossible. Therefore I am not contesting my seat at the General Election.” SIR OSWALD MOSLEY. LONDON, November 21. Sir Oswald Mosley left £5674. He bequeathed £2OOO to trust and the residue to his housekeeper for faithful service extending over 16 years. The will does not mention his son Oswald. November 22. The Daily Express says that although Sir Oswald Mosley is not mentioned in his father’s will he inherited £60,000 from his grandfather. The whole will is not published. CANNED GOODS. LONDON, November 22. A report has been issued by the New Health Society, affirming unequivocally the dietetic value of canned goods and the dismissal of all the old bogeys. It says that canned and bottled fruits have the full value of fresh fruits, and have the maximum of cellulose, acids, and salts. The committee is equally eulogistic of canned moats, and quotes the evidence of leading | .iglish and American scientists in support of its conclusions. BANK OF ENGLAND. RUGBY, November 20. Notes of the value of £1 and 10s, printed in many colours and embellished with figures of Britannia, and in the case of the larger denomination, of Saint George and the dragon, will from Thursday take the place of the Treasury notes of these denominations now in circulation. The new notes are being issued

by the Bank of England, and their design js based on that of the existing Bank of England notes. THE GERMAN ARMY. PARIS, November 23. Le Journal's correspondent declares that the German official army of 100,000 men is stronger than has been supposed, the number of privates being 38,000, corporals 38,000, sergeants 20,297, staff officeu 619 (including 39 generals and 106 brevet colonels). There are 596 phantom companies apart from the regular (Companies of the Reichswehr. The annual cost of the army is £35,000,000, whereas the old imperial army of 900,000 men cost £30,000,000. BORROWDALE MURDER. LONDON, November 19. Chung Yi-miao made a dramatic three and a-half hours’ speech in the Court of Criminal Appeal against the death sentence imposed on him, after calling two new witnesses, who stated that they had seen the Oriental near the scene of the murder on June 19. Addressing the court, Chung said that it was a Chinese custom when a woman married that her property went to her husband while she lived, but reverted to her family on her death. November 20. Chung Ti-Miao’e appeal was dismissed. BRITISH AGRICULTURE. RUGBY, .November 21. The first meeting of the Financial Supervisory Committee, which was appointed in accordance with the recommendations of the Imperial Agricultural Research Conference, 1927, to consider the establish ment of further ♦lmperial bureaux and correspondence centres in connection with agricultural research, was held yesterday, at the Dominions Office. Mr Amery announced that the Governments of the Empire had accepted the principle of the establishment of these bureaux and centres, .and the committee had now assembled to consider detailed schemes for their creation. EARNINGS OF LABOUR. RUGBY, November 21. The International Labour Office has compiled index numbers of wages in various European capitals. The figure for Moscow is calculated upon information received from the scientific bureau of the People's Commissariat of Labour, and is based upon earnings in 18 selected categories of workers in different trades. The index numbers are given as follows:—London 100, Copenhagen 108, Stockholm 88, Amsterdam 85, Berlin 71, Paris SG, Madrid 54, Moscow 50, Milan 49, Brussels 49, Prague 47, Vienna 45, Reval 44, Rome 43, Lodz 41 and Warsaw 40. FEMALE DON JUAN. BERLIN, November 20. Marianne Waldman, a banker's daughter, who is to-day known in Germany as the female Don Juan, was arrested and charged with manipulating the bank’s books, in respect to which there is an alleged misappropriation of £lO,OOO, which was spent on innumerable male friends drawn from all classes of society. Gifts to her favourites included Persian carpets, fur collars, vacuum cleaners, and motor cycles. Claims against her include £5O for car hire for joy rides for her cavaliers, and £230 for wines and refreshments. Her father, who owned the bank for half a century, was also arrested on a charge of culpable negligence. WAR DEBT PAYMENTS. RUGBY, November 20. Mr Churchill stated in the House of Commons, in reply to a question, that the payment to the United States in repayment of the war debt was £33,000,000 per annum, and the British receipts in respect of Allied debts should be £12,800,000, including £8,000,000 from France and £4,000,000 from Italy. The reparations should amount to £19,000,000, making £32,000,000, as against £33,000,000. The annual payment to the United States would rise to £38,000,000 after 1933, and the receipts from the Allied war debts and reparations would also rise in proportion in accordance with the settlement agreed to. THE KING’S VOICE. LONDON, November 22. British exhibitors decline to pay the £lOO asked by the Americans to exhibit the King’s “talkie” The exhibitors say that the film is being held for ransom and they feel that the King, if he was aware of the fact, would disapprove of the exploitation of his voice. The King unknowingly made his first ‘‘ talkie ” during a speech at the opening of the Newcastle Bridge, on November 7. An enterprising American reel man filmed the scene and tin speech and had it §ent to America and developed. It is stated that a remarkable reproduction was obtained. DRIFT TO THE TOWNS. ROME, November 23. Signor Mussolini pointed out that during the half-year ended June the natural increase in-the urban population in Italy was only 12,000, whereas in eight town's alone the increase by rural influx totalled 68,621. He declares that within 18 months he intends to clear out the surplus immigrants from the country who had not found work in the towns, and prevent any more leaving the country. He adds: “ Italy is spending more than she can afford in bricks and mortar in the towns.

The money would be better spent in reclaiming waste lands and rebuilding .decayed cottages.” BRITISH MOTOR FIRMS. RUGBY, November 21. Details are published of a proposed merger of three motor manufacturing firms—the Humber, the Hillman, and the Commer. The two first are engaged in the production of motor cars and their factories are near each other at Coventry. The Commer firm manufactures commercial motor vehicles in Luton. Humbcrs are to be the holding company, and the capital of the new combine will be about £1,250,000. Shareholders in the Hillman firm, which is a private company, and those of the Commer Company, have agreed to the merger, and the proposal is now before the Humber shareholders. THE NEW PRIMATE. RUGBY, November 20. Invitations to the enthronement, of Di Cosmo Gordon Lang as Archbishop of Canterbury have been sent to the prelates of the Christian churches throughout the world. There will be representatives of the Greek and Russian churches, as well as delegates from South Africa, India, Canada, the United States, and the i'rotestant communities in the British Isles, lhe ceremony will take place in Canterbury Cathedral on December 4. It is 25 years since the Archbishop of Canterbury was enthroned. LONDON, November 21. The Dean and Chapter of Canterbury formally elected Dr Lang to the Archbishopric and the Primacy. HIS LIFE FOR ANOTHER. LONDON, November 19. On the eve of the funeral with military honours of Lovell, an ex-serviceman, who was killed in saving a three-year-old child from being run over during the armistice celebrations in Lime House, another ex-serviceman sought permission to see the body. Following his scrutiny he said: “I thought so. We were together in France. He saved my life. I was wounded during a gas attack. Lovell took off his respirator and gave it to me, saying: ‘You take it, mate. I can run.’ I had not seen him since.” The Mayor of Poplar is raising a fund for Lovell’s widow and seven children. Ten thousand people followed the cortege through the crowded streets. THE PAPAL LEGATE. SUVA, November 24. Cardinal Ceretti had a wonderful reception from the largest cosmopolitan crowd that ever gathered at Suva wharf. He was entertained at dinner by the Catholic Young Men’s Society. ' The Governor of Fiji, the Mayor of Suva, the Chief Justice, Coloniel Secretary. Bishop Nicolas of Fiji, the Bishop of Tonga, and all Suva’s principal citizens were present. Cardinal Ceretti afterwards attended service in the cathedral, and received addresses of welcome. Then there were native ceremonies by Fijians, Samoans, Wallis and Gilbert Islanders in the convent grounds, which were electrically lit for the occasion. The weather was perfect. CONFIDENCE TRICKSTER. SYDNEY, November 21. John Sutherland, 49 years of age, of Mhangarei, New Zealand, a recent arrival in Sydney, formed the acquaintance of Dennis Finn in the city. He listened attentively to a tall story about a cane farm in Queensland which Finn was supposed to own. Finn induced Sutherland to advance money for implements, on the promise that Sutherland should .be employed on the farm at £1 Is per day. Sutherland went to Brisbane, where he discovered that he had been duped. He was compelled to walk nearly the whole way back to Sydney, as he was “ broke.” He told his story in the City Police Court, and Finn, who was described by the magistrate as a “heartless fellow,” was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. BEAM WIRELESS. LONDON, November 19. In the House of Commons Lord Wolmer (Under-Secretary for the Post Office) stated that the total capital cost of four beam transmission stations erected respectively for the Australian, Canadian, Indian, and South African wireless services was approximately £242,000. The results for the various wireless beam services were as follow:—During the first week after installation—Australia 53,000 words. Canada 59.000 words, India 115,000, South Africa 88,000. For the week ended April 21 they were: Australia 179,000 words, Canada 133,000, India 212,000, South Africa 184,000. For the week ended November 11 they were: r Australia 101,000 words, Canada 113,000, India 253,000, South Africa 200,000. The figures for the first complete vear’s working were: Australia 7,306,000 words, Canada 4,591,000, India 10,078,000, South Africa 8,375,000. BRITISH LABOUR PARTY. LONDON, November 21. A significant indication of the internal dissensions in the Labour Party was visible in the House of Commons last night, when the Socialist Clydesiders challenged a Government motion to regu-

Mr Kirkwood objected to pensions at the age of 60, saying that no one should get more than £4OO a year. Mr Ramsay MacDonald strongly supported the Government, urging that State servants must be well paid. There had been too much leakage from the civil service into private industry recently. Messrs Buchanan, Batey, Maxton, and others of the Left Wing flouted Mr MacDonald and Mr J. 11. Thomas, who alsosupported the Government. # After heated exchanges the Clydesiders forced a division on the Government’s motion, which was carried, 33 Labour members going into the “No” lobby. REMARKABLE EXPERIENCE. PARIS, November 25. A pretty business girl, who was about to marry, desiring to have slimmer ankles, consulted a doctor, who recommended surgical treatment. A surgeon declared that a successful operation was feasible, consisting of the removal of a narrow strip of flesh from the calf. The anaesthetic failed, and the girl was fully conscious during the operation. After the wound had been stitched and the girl had been sent to bed she began to suffer agony, necessitating the postponement of the operation on the other leg. Her foot began to blacken, and the doctors advised that its amputation was essential to save her life. Her fiance was hurriedly called, and went through the marriage ceremony at the bedside. Then the girl’s leg was amputated. The girl has recovered, and is now suing the surgeon for £4OOO as compensation. BIRTH CONTROL. LONDON, November 20. Miss Elizabeth Ellis, a well-dressed confectioner, aged 34, called at Bradford 1 ohce Station and declared: “ I’ve set fire to the birth control van.” This action was apparently due to conscientious objections to the circulation of birth control pamphlets, not only amona married, but among single, women as a portion of the activities of the Society for Constructive Birth Control, with influential headquarters in London under the presidency of Dr Marie Stopes. The van tours the country under the supervision of two certificated midwives. . Miss ’Ellis broke a window and poured m paraffin and ignited the vehicle, but the fire went out after the curtain had been burnt. Miss Ellis was charged with malicious damage, and pleaded guilty. She announced that she would repeat the performance if Dr Stopes were not dealt with as a law breaker. The defendant wag hned 10s and ordered to pay 10s damages, with the alternative of 11 days’ imprisonment She refused to pay announcing that she preferred to go to ’gaol, but her sister paid-the fine. S THE SCOTT EXPEDITION.’ RUGBY, November 23. •The famous Cinematographic record of tae late Captain Scott’s expedition to the South Pole was yesterday purchased for the nation. It. will be held in custody by the British Empire Film Institute,' and is the first film to be acquired. Efforts had been made by an American museum to acquire the film, £50,000 being offered for it. Mr Herbert Ponting, photographer to Captain Scott’s expedition and the owner of the film, was, however, willing to accept a considerably smaller sum in order to preserve it for Britain. Arrangements are being made for its exhibition throughout Britain, the dominions, and the colonies, and a contract has already been made for its display in the United States. As a background to this remarkable photographic record there are the wellknown stories of Captain Scott’s death and Captain Oates's self-sacrifice—out-standing episodes in the hi -tory of polar exploration. RYE HARBOUR DISASTER. LONDON, November 20. Fifteen Rye Harbour lifeboatmen were buried in one grave in the village churchyard, the sea not having given up the remaining two victims. An enormous crowd was present, trains and motor cars bringing thousands of mourners. Thirteen clergymen of all religions headed the funeral procession. RUGBY, November 20. Men of the British Legion dug- the grave, and legionaries were among the pall-bearers, who were mainly lifeboat men. A band played funeral marches. Because of the press of people, the service was held in the graveyard and not in the church. The crews of many other lifeboats along the coast were present. Nearly every family in the little hamlet of Rye Harbour had lost someone in the disaster, and the scenes at the graveside were pathetic in the extreme. Mr'' Williams (Under-secretary of the Board of Trade) stated in the House of Commons that his department had decided to hold an inquiry into all the circumstances of the disaster. The inquiry would cover certain allegations that had been made regarding defects in the lifebelts worn by the dead lifeboat men. LONDON, November 21. The Rye Harbour fund to relieve the dependents of the lifeboatmen has closed with a total of £20,000.

EXPERT LONDON FORGER. LONDON, November 22. The most expert forger known in London for 35 years was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for forging currency notes. A remarkable feature was that all his work was done by hand with a drawing pen, varying inks, and a magnifying glass. Each note was so perfect that the banks had the utmost difficulty in detecting the forgery. It is revealed that the forger traced a genuine note with a pencil first, and then inked it with extraordinary cleverness, simulating the watermarks by painting in with grease. Forgeries were reaching the Bank of England every week. When he was arrested he had nearly a hundred half-finished notes in his possession. The forger’s name is William Reynolds, and his age 56. He is of slight build, grey-haired, and has a student look. It is revealed that a woman was rerently sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for passing Reynolds’s notes. She was remarkably loyal to him, refusing to divulge his whereabouts or give any information regarding him. the judge, after carefully examining the notes, confessed that "the forgerv baffled him. CANCER RESEARCH. LONDON, November 20. The International Conference for Cancer Research has just published a complete classified report of all the papers. Professor Archibald Leitch, director of the Research Institute of the Cancer Hospital, London, summing up, says that the chief developments of knowledge arc contained in Professor Ewing’s paper, in which he insisted that cancer must be regarded as a group of diseases. All the foremost authorities agree that cancers are not due to a single invariable casual agent. One paper finally disposes of the prevalent idea that the Jewish race is less prone to cancer than others. Professor Leitch adds: “ Within a few years perfection of radium technique has achieved such a triumph that the development of this treatment is the cry of the day. Larger quantities F radium are urgently needed. Discussion has failed .to reveal support for the lead treatment, and blood tests are successful for diagnosing cancer in only 75 per cent, of cases. It is undeniable that there are more obscure cases, but radiographic methods of detecting cancer in the stomach are most useful. The tendency in future will be to operate on stomach lesions before they develop into cancer. KISSING IN THE STREETS. PARIS, November 24. The kissing of midenettes in the streets on St. Catherine’s Day (Sunday) has been prohibited this year. On each November 25 "the boulevards resembled a flower garden thronged with laughing girls, wearing head-dresses decked with ribbons, lace, and orange blossom, who, beneath chic bonnets, gave the “glad eye” to all the world. It has been traditionally reserved as a fete day for the little dressmakers and midenettes. Those reaching 25 who arc unmarried are entitled to a lace bonnet, and the younger of the order, not to be outdone, wear a charming fancy dress. The more important houses give the girls champagne, cakes, and a dance, and the. more unfortunate employees take their amusement on the boulevards, walking arm in arm, singing, and reaping their full share of admiration. The police decision is regarded at a concession to anxious mammas, some of whom have complained of the free and easy manner in which youths and maidens play catch-as-catch-can. The chase inevitably ends in a stolen kiss, which is promptly returned. FOOTBALL RESULTS. LONDON, November 21. The King’s Bench Division dismissed the appeal of the Sheffield Telegraph against a conviction for printing and cir culating a football forecast competition. It was pointed out that a calculation had been submitted to the magistrates to the effect that, assuming 24 matches had to be correctly forecasted out of 44 on a coupon, it would be necessary to submit ap u.ximately 282.000,000,000 before the forecaster could be certain of the correct results. As a result of the decision, London newspapers announce that they are ceasing the competitions forthwith. November 22. Sensational falls in the circulation figures of many leading newspapers are anticipated as a result of the enforced suspension of the football competitions. The most popular form of competition was that requiring the reader correctly to forecast 24 results out of 44 printed on a coupon. Despite the tremendous odds, the first prize of £20,000, 'jointly offered by three newspapers, has thrice been won outright. Many 7 smaller prizes amounting to £lOOO a week were distributed. The principal argument that influenced the court was that many individuals paid a penny for the coupon and not for the newspaper, therefore it was gambling. PASTORAL INDUSTRY. LONDON, November 21. At a meeting of the Australian Mercantile Land Company, Mr R. H. Cairo, who presided, called attention to two very important events emanating from two widely separated points on the

political horizon, which tended to encourage the hope that statesmen wer« beginning to recognise the pastoral industry’s value to Australia. He referred to Mr MacCracken’s commission to report on the Queensland pasto—»l industry and Mr Bruce’s commission to make pastoral investigations throughout Australia. The report of the Queensland commission betokened an earnest desire to deal with the vast areas of Crown lands in a statesmanlike manner. Air Cairo referred appreciatively to remarks in the reports of both commissions regarding the great increase in the cost of production—notably wages—and quoted a paragraph in that connection from the Federal Commission’s report. He regretted that the efforts to interest pastor alists in a well-considered scheme of scientific research had not met with the success that they deserved, for there was still a wide field for research in the direction of the re-introduction or restoration of drought-resisting plants and grasses, the eradication of noxious weeds, animals, and parasites, and the treatment and prevention of diseases. WHEAT AND AIEAT. LONDON, November 22. In the House of Lords Earl De la Warr moved in favour of Government bulk purchases of wheat and meat in order to stabilise prices. He pointed out that 80 per cent, of Britain’s com sumption of wheat and 50 per cent, of meat were imported, and these were the controlling factors on the price of Homegrown products. Lord Forres moved an amendment objecting to the Government’s entrance into commercial trading, which was against the public interest. Lord Bledisloe said that England had just had her best harvest for 30 years, but not a single crop showed a profit except sugar beet, which was artificially supported by Government money. A solution of the problem lay in the cooperation of credit facilities. He was sure overseas producers would not desire to be unfair competitors of their fellowfarmers in Britain. The Earl of Stradbroke said that the Government was opposed to nationalisation of most of the country’s trade in foodstuffs. Wartime experience had shown that food control was a most costly business. The most serious objection was that every price movement due to world conditions would have political reactions, and political relations with the dominions and with foreign countries would become involved. ' The Imperial Conference Committee reported against the proposition. Both the amendment and the motion were withdrawn. EARL OF BIRKENHEAD. LONDON, November 20. In the House of Commons Sir Thomas Inskip (Attorney-General) moved the appointment of two additional members of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, at a salary of £4OOO and a pension of £lOOO, and an additional judge of the Appeal Court at a salary of £6OOO and a pension of £3750. He pointed out that Lord Haldane had shortened his life through overwork on the Judicial Committee. Sir H. Slesser asked if the Earl of Birkenhead would claim from the Lord Chancellor the pension of £5OOO, seeing that he did not propose to serve on the Judicial Committee. Sir Thomas Inskip replied that the Earl of Birkenhead had informed him that he would shortly undertake new employment with substantial emoluments. He proposed to claim the pension only for the transition period. Nevertheless, the Earl of Birkenhead’s view was that the pension was for past and not for present legal services. Sir Hamar Greenwood said the Judicial Committee was the strongest link in the Empire chain, and needed to be strengthened. The Canadian view was that we ought not to depend on "aged jurists who, however eminent in their prime, no longer impressed litigants and counsel from the dominions and colonies. Air Wedgewood Benn asked how many directorships the Earl of Birkenhead would need before relinquishing his pension. Could he reclaim his pension if his commercial ventures came to nothing? Sir Thomas Inskip: Certainly. The resolution was carried without a division. November 23. In the House of Commons reference was made to Lord Birkenhead's pension in the course of the debate on the Bill increasing the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Air J. H. Hudson (Labour) said: “ We are confronted with one of these judges setting himself up for auction, seeking positions, and making it clear that he is out for a great deal more than he has hitherto received. We should make it clear that there is no place for such a man in the High Court in future. These things make people think. I must not be taken as in the least criticising Lord Birkenhead, who has ‘aken a course to which he is perfectly entitled, so far as the rules of constitutional practice are concerned. The best check on errors of judgment should be public opinion.” Air Wedgwood Benn (Labmr) said Lord Birkenhead enjoyed judicial emoluments and earned commercial emoluments at the same time. Sir Thomas Inskip. (Attorney-general) said he did not agree that the pension was in consideration of judicial duties being performed at the present time.