NEWS BY CABLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3899, 4 December 1928, Page 49

NEWS BY CABLE.

GENERAL BOOTH. LONDON, November 27. General Booth is out of danger. 1 RUSSIAN MATCHES. ' MOSCOW, November 26. The Leningrad Match Trust has sent a parcel of matches to Australia, a new brand specially prepared for this market. VISCOUNT FURNEAUX. LONDON, November 29. Viscount Furneaux is presenting a second copy of his ancestor’s portrait to New Zealand for Parliament House. NEW MOTOR SHIP. LONDON, November 27. Lady Ryrie christened and launched the Adelaide Company’s motor ship Manunda at Beardmorc’s- yards at Dal-

muir. GIFT TO AUCKLAND. LONDON, December 1. I Mr Moss Davis is presenting to the City of Auckland Captain William Longstaff’s oil replica of Dance’s famous Greenwich portrait of Captain Cook. FROZEN MEAT. BERLIN, November 27. The Economic Committee of the Reichstag rejected the Communist proposal to raise the quota of frozen meat imports to 150,000 tons instead of 50,000 tons. BRITISH UNEMPLOYED. RUGBY, November 27. The latest return gives the number of unemployed as 1,364,400, being 16,242 more than a week before and 238,146

more than a year ago. FLEET REPAIR SHIP. RUGBY, November 27. His Majesty’s fleet repair ship Resource was launched at Vickers s yard at Barrow by Mrs Headlam, wife of Lieutenantcolonel Headlam, Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty. BRITISH ELECTIONS. LONDON, November 30. An insurance policy of £50,000 was effected at Lloyd’s against Labour at the general election obtaining a clear majority over all the other parties. The premium is £10,100.'

EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. CAPETOWN, November 26. A storm on the coast, which was presaged by a terrific downpour in the Eastern Cape, did danidge in jthe Rivers-

dale district to the extent of £40,000. Houses were demolished, and stock num- _ bering 2000 were drowned. Fruit trees and crops were swept away. The mail steamer was nine hours late. TARIFF AUTONOMY. SHANGHAI, November 29. It is stated in authoritative circles that tariff autonomy will be enforced throughout China on February 1 next, irrespective of Japan’s wishes. AN ABANDONED BARQUE. PARIS, November 29. A Breton fisherman found the German barque Pommern, which was abandoned between Guernsey and St. Malo. He stayed aboard till he drifted to land at Mont St. Michel Bay, and he is now hoping to make a fortune from salvage.

THE JAPANESE NAVY. TOKIO, November 29. The Uranami, which was launched at Sasebo to-day, is believed to be the world’s largest destroyer. It is a notable additidn-to the navy, exceeding the power of a light cruiser. TRAGEDY IN LONDON.

LONDON, November 30. As the result of an overnight leakage of gas in their tenement, Heaton Norris, a labourer, and Arthur Baker and his wife and four young children were suffocated. Eleven other’s were taken to hospital suffering from gas poisoning. BRITISH TRADE UNIONS. LONDON,. November 27. The Daily Herald announces that the biggest trade union amalgamation of recent years is on the verge of completion, by .which, the Workers’ Union and the Transport and General Workers’ Union are amalgamating. Half a million workers are affected.

LEADER OF THE MAU. APIA, November 27. Tamasese, the leader of the Mau, after evading arrest on two previous occasions, was secured by the military police this morning, and is now in custody for contempt of court and refusal to pay taxes on a judgment sumnjons. Anticipations of disturbances following the arrest were not realised. WAR-SCARRED MEN. LONDON, November 28. Earl Jellicoe presided at the King’s Roll ..National -. Council, where he announced that 27,500 -employers who .were on the roll, provided employment for

380,000 disabled ex-servicemen. Twenty thousand disabled men were now registered unemployed, of which 8000 required light employment.

TRANSPORT RIVER CLYDE. LONDON, November 27. In the House of Commons Sir Phillip Cunliffe-Lister, reply irA to Viscount Sandon, reiterated the reasons why the Government sold the transport River Clyde. The Board of Trade had no powers to repurchase the steamer and moor her permanently at the Thames Embankment as a war relic. POLAR EXPLORATION. BERLIN, November 27. Dr Eekener and Dr Nansen discussed details of the Zeppelin’s polar flight. They decided that it should be carried out under the auspices of the German Antarctic Society, which proposes two preparatory Antarctic flights in the new year, followed by a thorough investigation in 1930.

RUSSIAN REVOLUTION. BERLIN, November 28. It is reported that, following meetings of Trotsky’s supporters held on the anniversary’ of the revolution in most of the large towns, practically every speaker was arrested and many have already been exiled to unhealthy regions. There were 80 arrests in Leningrad and 100 in Kicff. FRENCH BUDGET DEBATE. PARIS, November 27. During the Budget debate Communists badgered the Prime Minister, M. Poincare, to ■ abolish all military appropriai tions. The Prime Minister retorted, amidst thunderous applayse: “ When your Soviet friends disarm we will do tUg same. I make this solemn pledge.” - EVERY PENNY RETURNED. VANCOUVER, November 27. A message from St. Paul states that bandits who, on August 9, overpowered a guard and stole £5OOO, have volun-tarily-returned every penny. Detectives for interested insurance companies traced the robbers, who came to the decision that it was better to reimburse the losers I than face arrest. The deal was transI acted through a legal firm.

BRITISH INDUSTRIES. LONDON, November 28. The Duke of York, speaking at- the Association of Retail' Distributors’ banquet, said: “ Many industries have been experiencing difficult times. I believe, and large numbers of employers share my belief, that 1 one way of meeting the'difficulties is the creation of a cheerful, vigorous, and skilful working force. We

need to-day a strong body of industrialists favouring voluntary action in this field. BRITAIN AND JAPAN. SHANGHAI, November 30. A telegram has been received at the Nanking Ministry of Foreign Affairs from the Chinese Legation in London. It denies the reported renewal of the Anglo-Japanese alliance, and states that the reports are absolutely without foundation. The boycott of Japanese is still rampant in parts of China in consequence of the Shantung situation and Japan s refusal to evacuate her troops. WIRELESS TELEPHONY. " LONDON, November 27. In the House of Commons, replying to Sir R. W. Hamilton’s inquiry as to what was the position with regard to wireless telephony, and whether it was likely to be adopted to connect outlying islands, Sir William Mitchell-Thompson said that experiments with apparatus

were being conducted, but at present there was no system capable of working at a cost to justify communication with outlying islands. THE ITALIAN ARMY. ROME, November 30. Signor Mussolini, writing to General Cavallero on his resignation of the Under-secretaryship of War, paid a high tribute to his efforts towards the restoration of the morale arid fighting efficiency of the army. He added : “ Much more remains to be done in this direction, for, despite the sublime Kellogg Pact, the whole world, including Mr Kellogg's own country, continues to arm.” VALUE OF HAGGIS. LONDON, November 30. M. Coffier, one of the most famous of all French chefs and the inventor of “ Peche Melba,” for which he was recently awarded the Legion of Honour, qualified to-day for the Order of the Thistle. He visited the cookery exhibition at Olympia, where he first tasted haggis and then had a glass of whisky. He said: “Haggis is very, very good, and makes me want two glasses of •whisky instead of one.” DISTEMPER IN DOGS.

RUGBY, November 29. A vaccine has been discovered which it is claimed will prevent distemper in dogs. It is the result of five yearn of research work by Dr Laidlaw and Mr Dunkin at the laboratories of the Medical Research Council. The fund for research woi-k was raised by a weekly journal, and field experiments carried out on 1300 dogs and

hounds, including some famous hunting packs, show, it is stated, that animals can be immunised.

BRITISH FILMS. LONDON, November 26. In the House of Commons, Mr L. S. Amery informed Mr H. Day (Lab.) that only New Zealand had passed legislation dealing with British films in connection with the Imperial Conference’s resolution dealing with the matter in j. 926. In January a copy of the British Act, with a memorandum, was sent to all the dominions, after which there were no further communications. PENSIONS IN BRITAIN. LONDON, November 29. Mi* L. S. Amery, Secretary of State for the Dominions, in reply to a question in the House ■of Commons, said that, following the Imperial Conference of 1926, he communicated with the dominion Governments on the subject of reciprocal widows’ and old age pensions. The replies did not suggest that the early adoption of the general scheme could be anticipated. He would see whether he could remind the dominion Governments in the matter.

NEW HEALTH SOCIETY. LONDON, November 30. On the subject of eating Mr G. B. Shaw has taken a tilt at the New Health Society. When invited to to-night’s festival dinner at Mayfair Hotel, h e replied by postcard: “ No! Hang it all, not dinner. Fast if you like, but what is the congruity between new health and the same old dinner? Do you expect me to sit there, the sole sober man, watching you running up doctors’ bills? The society will be laughed out of existence.” POTENTIAL HUSBANDS. RUGBY, November SO. General Sir George MacMunn, at a dinner at the Lyceum Club, advised the young women of England to go to Australia and Canada if they wanted husbands. So many p t ential husbands were there that English girls married before they took up jobs. Hundreds of enterprising young Australians were looking out for wives. The advice is valuable in view of the 2,000,000 surplus women in England.

ALLEGED GERMAN SPIES. WIESBADEN, November 30. Five alleged German spies, one of whom was formerly an officer in the German army, were arrested at Mayence. It is stated that their arrest led to the discovery of a widespread system of espionage covering 'practically the whole of the occupied zone. It is alleged that those y>’l4a were arrested had exceptional facilities for obtaining information regarding the forces in the occupied territory as their duties brought them in frequent contact with French officers: —

, OBITUARY. - BERLIN, November 26. The death is announced of Admiral JPon Scheer from heart failure. LONDON, November 27. The death is announced of Air Frank Hedges Butler, musician and pioneer aviator, at the age of 73. * RUGBY, November' 30. Sir John Murray, head of the wellknown publishing house of John Murray, died this morning, aged 77 years. He had himself written several notable books. PREHISTORIC REPTILE. RUGBY, November 27. The fossilised remains of the large pre-historic reptile which was unearthed at Harbury, Warwickshire, are being broken into sections for removal this week to the National History Museum at South Kensington. The specimen is remarkable among ichthyosauri for its unusual size and exceptionally good state of preservation. The remains, which weigh about two tons, will be broken into about 12 sections and reconstructed under expert supervision. FRENCH GOVERNMENT. LONDON, November 30. The Paris correspondent of The Times itates that by 385 votes to 195 the Government survived its first .trial of strength. The Socialists demanded a postponement of the military estimates for a committee of inquiry. M. Cheron, the Mininster of Finance, refused, saying that it would be regarded as an act of JeLance. He appealed for a vote of confidence, calling on all good Republicans to rally rcund the Minister responsible for the country's defence.

SCANDAL IN JAPAN. LONDON, November 14. A message from Kobe, Japan, says the Imperial Aviation Society’s formal aban donment of a proposed Pacific flight was signified by the resignation of 21 of the leading members. However, all have been re-elected, and the announcement is now made of another public subscription for a flight in 1930. A fund totalling £lO,OOO has been squandered, not even the builders of the aeroplane having been paid. A first-class scandal is likely to develop, because the fund was j-aised .from among all classes, even school children, on the plea of patriotism. THE POPE’S COMPARTMENTS. ROME, November 28. Fears for the stability of the whole Fing of the Vatican wherein the Pope Jias his private official apartments were felt when the floor of two .large rooms on the ground floor suddenly collapsed. The rooms, which were formerly part of the quarters of the Palatine Guard, were fortunatsjy momentarily unoccupied. Engineers found that the collapse was due to the’ failure of the valuted ceilings. The cellars had been carelessly built originally, and had suffered pinch in three centuries. A large masonry pillar was recently built in the centre of the vault, but it proved insufficient to prevent the accident.

SCOTTISH NATIONALISM. LONDON, November 26. The Daily Express reveals a strange plot by the newly-formed body of Scottish Nationalists to raid Westminster Abbey and forcibly remove the Stone of Destiny and the Coronation Chair and deposit them with the Lord Provost at Perth. The project is not a practical joke, but is discussed in the most serious manner, the object being to show that the Scottish Nationalists mean business. The new body has a small membership at present, being an offshoot of the Scots Club, but includes some young Scottish writers and business men who, inspired by tile example of what Nationalism had done in Italy, are convinced of the necessity for “ doing something.” SIR OTTO BEIT. RUGBY, November 30. Sir Otto Beit has given £50,000 to King Edward’s Hospital Fund for London for the purchase of radium for use in bos pitals. In accepting the gift, the official state that it will enable immediate relief to be given to numerous patients who now have to wait their turn to share in th benefits of the limited supply .of radium which is now available. Sir Otto Beit, who has large business interests in South Africa, has given much financial assistance to scientific research. He recently contributed £lO,OOO to tbr British Red -Cross Society to help to establish a clinic for the treatment of diseases, and he followed this with £3474 to complete the £40,090 required for this purpose. BRITISH COLLIERIES. RUGBY, November 30. . A meeting of colliery owners to con aider the further possibility of co-ordina-tion and the extension of the existing coal marketing schemes was attended yesterday by influential representatives of every one of the larger British coalfields, its well as by members from the smaller districts. The meeting had before it reports of the progress which is being made in the formulation of schemes in certain 'districts and the development of existing schemes'. The discussion of practicable arrangements for the co-ordination of dis triet arrangements was curried a stage further.

An official report of the proceedings says that there is every reason to be

satisfied with the progress which is being • made.

THE ITALIAN PRESS. LONDON, December 1. The Italian press is indulging in one of its periodic attacks on British administration in Malta, andr on Lord Strickland in particular., Most violent abuse is heaped on schemes for the establishment of schools, the development of the Anglican Church, and the adjustment of language anomalies. Signor Davanzati, a member of the Fascist Council, stigmatises Lord Strickland as a spurious lord, his policy being one of Balkanese brutality. The diplomatic correspondent of the Morning Post states that British official circles nrp not disturbed by these vapourings. Malta has always been xi sore point to many Italians, who think that its proximity gives them a special right to interest in it.

AUSTRALIA AND CANADA. OTTAWA, December 1. A Montreal report states that Sir Mark Sheldon, of Sydney, who is on his way home from a trip to England, expressed the opinion that Canada and Australia had the greatest possibilities for trade expansion in the world. In three years students of economics would be talking and writing about the commercial heyday of Canada and Australia. The United States would have passed the zenith of her prosperity by then. He declared that the time had arrived when it would be greatly to Canada’s advantage to cultivate Australia’s exports. He said that the Canadian farmer would not be hurt by any importation of Australian butter if it was sent when the butter yields were low in Canada.

THE CHILEAN NAVY. RUGBY, November 30. The Aldea, the last of six destroyers ordered by the Chilean Government from Thorn ycrofts, the well-known shipbuilders, was launched at Southampton Water yesterday. At a subsequent luncheon Admiral Merino, of -the Chilean Naval Commission, whose wife named the vessel, paid a high tribute to British workmanship, ■as was shown in the manner in whicn the contract had been carried out. -The first of the six destroyers, tlA* Serrano, is now almost ready to proceed to Chile, and her officers and crew were present at yesterday's launching, and a telegram of good wishes was received from the officers and crew of another of the six destroyers, the Riquelme’, which is now undergoing trials on the Clyde. ' THE HON. ELSIE MACKAY. RUGBY, November 30. The necessary arrangements have now been made to give effect to the wishes of Lord and Lady Inchcape and their children regarding the disposal of the estate of the Hon. Elsie Mackay, who was lost in the attempt to fly the Atlantic in company with Captain Hinchcliffe. The Chancellor of the Exchequer announces that the sum of £521,0C0 has been paid to bim as residue of the estate. afte r payment of duties, etc., and that it has been placed in the hands of trustees to accumulate for 50 years, and then to be applied to the reduction of the National Debt. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Governor of the Bank of England, and the Comptroller-general of the National Debt Office for the time being are ap pointed managing trustees, and the Treasury solicitor custodian trustee.

NEW TRADE TREATY. RUGBY, November 26. Mr L. S. Amery, Secretary of State for the Dominions, was asked in the House of Commons whether, in the case of the recent trade treaty between the Union of South Africa and Germany, any prior consultations with this country took place. Mr Amery replied that the Government in Great Britain, equally with the Governments of the dominions, was notified by the Government of South Africa of its intentions, and was asked to express its views in the manner contemplated by the Imperial Conference of 1926, and was subsequently kept informed of the progress of negotiations. The whole position today was that not one Government of the Empire restrained any other Government of the Empire, blit all the Governtaents, if they undertook anything that might have a reaction on the others, informed them in case they had views to express. PROSPERITY IN FRANCE. LONDON, November 29. “ France, since the autumn of 1921, has enjoyed among the European nations signal, and perhaps even unique, economic goocl fortune,” reports Mr J. R. Cahill, the British commercial counsellor at Paris. Save for a slight check for a few months in 1927, France lias experienced a period of most pronounced commercial and industrial prosperity, and the output has been limited only by a shortage of labour, to meet which 1,500,000 foreign workers have been imported. A fresh outburst of prosperity has been witnessed during the present year, and the total of those who were receiving unemployment relief in September was under 800. The recovery of Alsace-Lorraine has brought immense wealth, while this has been aided by German reparations and payments in kind. France has vastly improved her railway and road communications, ports, canal equipment, hydraulic power

stations, and long distance cables, and has restored her devastated areas.

SHOTS FIRED IN COURT. VIENNA, November 30. , Eight revolver shots, which were fired just as the court was adjourning for lunch, abruptly ended the trial of the Albanian student Alikebiac 1 Bedi, who is charged with murdering the Albanian Minister, Cena Beg, last year at Prague. Bedi had just finished giving evidence, in which he said that he was sent to carry out the assassination on behalf of the Albanian revolutionists, when a former servant of Beg’s brother whipped out a revolver loaded with dumdum bullets. One hit Bedi, apparently fatally, and the others wounded included a journalist and an interpreter, but their wounds arc not serious. The jurymen fled in panic. One jumped to the floor and broke his arm. Women feinted, and the court cleared like magic. The servant was arrested. THE FIVE BIG POWERS. RUGBY November 27. Mr W. C. Bridgeman (First Lord of the Admiralty), replying to a question in the House of Commons, gave the personnel of the navies of the big Powers in July 1914 and July this year. In round figures they were: — Great Britain, 146,000 and 101,000 tons. United. States, 67,000 and 113,000. Japanj 50,000 and 85,000. France, 69,000 and 62,000. Italy, 40,000 and 46,000. Replying to a further question, Mr Bridgeman said he had always tried to point out that this country had done more in the way of disarmament than any other, and as regarded the future he would do his best to see that this country was secure.

THE FRENCH FRONTIER. LONDON, November 29. The Paris correspondent of The Times states that M. Painleve (War Minister), in defending the military estimates in the Chamber, and expounding the Govern ment’s official attitude regarding defence, said: “ France’s frontier lies exposed to attack. The hour has not arrived when France is able to renounce her obligation to defend herself by her army and navy 1 am not forgetting the Locarna policy, but there are too many evil influences working in Europe. A disarmed France would be a temptation, not an example M. Briand could not apeak authoritatively at Geneva if he merely represented an enfeebled France. The day might come when war between the States of Europe will be as unthinkable as between the States of America. Meanwhile France must not be left a prey to attack, which must always be regarded as a possibility, therefore let France retain a structure of an army which is also a. structure for peace.” ” I SIR JAMES PARR. LONDON, November 28. Sir James Parr, carried the campaign for the sale of New Zealand produce to the populous pottery districts, where investigation disclosed that New Zealand butter was only stocked in one shop in 12. Sir James Parr, accompanied by representatives of the Produce Board" was to-day entertained by the Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce at Stoke. The president of the chamber, in proposing Sir James Parr’s health, declared that New Zealand’s removal of the duty upon British pottery was one of the most dramatic gestures of goodwill to the workers in the Homeland ever made. He asked Sir James Parr to convey their appreciation to the New Zealand Government and the people. Sir James Parr emphasised New Zealand’s desire for trade with Britain, instancing tariff preferences, and urged greater reciprocal buying of New Zealand produce, particularly butter and cheese, instead of Danish.

Sir James Parr placed a wreath on the Stoke War Memorial.

EMPIRE TOURS. LONDON, November 30. Under the auspices of the Public Schools Empire Tour Committee 40 selected boys from Eton, Harrow, Winchester, Charterhouse and Stowe are participating in a seven weeks’ tour of New Zealand. They will sail on January 4 by the lonic, find will arrive at Wellington on February 11. Mr Darling, a Charterhouse master, is the leader and Lieutenant Smith Dorien assistant. The advance agent, Mr Francis Portal, will arrive in Wellington on January 1 by the Corinthic. The party will leave New Zealand on March 28 for London, visiting the Australian capitals en route. The objective of Mr Darling is “to make those whose future is connected with the destiny of the Empire cognisant of the peoples and the conditions of the great self-governing dominions, thus knitting the Empire closer by’ mutual understanding.” The tours made to South Africa and Canada were conspicuous successes, and probably next year’s tour will be to Australia.

THE CANCER PROBLEM.

RUGBY, November 29. Two important conclusions in regard to the causation of cancer are contained in the annual report of the I rial Cancer Research Fund. They are, first, there is no reliable evidence, experimental, statistical, or clinical, which would indicate

the cause or the relation between cancer and the absence or presence or excess of any particular dietetic constituent; second, the work carried out in the laboratories of the fund disproves the evidence adduced .by a German scientist to demon strata "the infectiveness of cancer. Westminster Hospital, where pioneer work in radium treatment has been conducted and where £20,000 worth of radium has been purchased by voluntary subscription is opening a special radium annexe. It ’has been contended that the middle classes experience difficulty in obtaining treatment which the poor ’received gratis and for which the wealthy could afford to pay, and they will be treated at this new -institution, where there will be modern physicists’ laboratories so that emanations can be obtained for the treatment of deep seated cancer. Very little so far has been done in this direction, and it is intended to develop the work, which hag been so successful at Westminster Hospital.

THE COTTON INDUSTRY. RUGBY’, November 28. The discovery of a plant that yields a high percentage of fibre which is calculated to provide an alternative to cotton has created great interest in Lancashire, and the demand for specimens of the fibre have far exceeded the limits of the immediately available material, which is being cultivated in eastern English counties. Experts who have inspected specimens agree that if anything like adequate production can be assured the fibre should prove distinctly useful. The Manchester Guardian says that the fibre is of the best order, is lustrous, and in appearance resembles fine flax, while under a microscope it is almost indistinguishable from flax. It is reported that the dyeing of yarn formed by mixing the fibre with cotton presents no particular difficulty. Representatives of the large cotton interests of Lancashire, however, are awaiting more definite information regarding the prospects of production before further serious consideration of its commercial 'possibilities are undertaken. It is recognised, however, that the new fibre would have an advantage in that if it were successfully cultivated the raw material would be reapable and would not be required to be picked or pulled. A COWARD AT HEART. AMSTERDAM, November 30. The Tclegraf publishes a remarkable story of how, when the German fleet was ordered to attack the British fleet in October, 1918, the late Admiral Von Scheer only agreed if the Kaiser accompanied him in his flagship and assumed nominally the supreme command. The naval chiefs and General Von Hindenburg supporteel Admiral Von Scheer, and Admiral Von Tirpitz emphasised that the Kaiser’s presence in the fleet would rally all sections to the throne. Admiral Von Scheer thereupon went to Berlin, where the Kaiser was delighted with the idea. He said: “ I cannot conceive a more noble death than at the head of the fleet in a last glorious attempt to defend freedom and honour.” Admiral Von Scheer went to Kiel to complete arrangements, but just before he was due to sail the Kaiser sent a message that he had decided not to accmpany him, and insisting on the fleet’s sailing. Admiral Von Scheer tore up and burnt the message in ordei- to prevent the Kaiser’s “confession, of cowardice ” ever becoming known. He announced that he refused to sail, and instead occupied Kiel. Thereupon a revolt in the navy began. Admiral Von Scheer informed "the Minister of Internal Affairs that he intended to occupy Kiel until a new Government was established. He added that the following inscription could be placed on the grave of the fleet: —“ She chose disgrace rather than fight the battles of a coward.”

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS. RUGBY, November 30. There seems every likelihood that the next meeting of the League of Nutins Council, which is due to begin on Decern bcr 10, will be held at Lugano, Switzerland. This mill be the first time the land. 1 his will be the first time the council will have met in Switzerland in a town other than Geneva. The leusun is that- Dr Stresemann’s doctors consider that the climate of Geneva at tins tine of year would be prejudicial to th-* Get man Foreign Minister’s health, which las not yet completely recovered from the effects of his recent long illness. Dr Stresemann was too ill to attend the last two meetings of the council, and his desire again to meet sir Austen Chamberlain and M. Briand in particular is reciprocated by those statesmen It has been necessary to obtain the acq-i iscence of all members of the council before changing the meeting place from Geneva to Lugano, and although all replies have not yet been received no objection to the proposal has so far been made. The only political question in the council agenda relates to tne Polish-Lithuanian problem, but it is generally considered probable that a meeting of Foreign Mims ters will'enable important, if informal, discussions on current problems to taice place. GENEVA, December L The League Council agreed to Dr Stresemann’s suggestion to hold the fiftythird meeting at Lugano.

WELDING THE EMPIRE. LONDON, November 29.

“It is as clear.,as crystal that unless we succeed fairly soon in welding the Empire as an economic unit we shall see a tendency towards economic <-divergences,” declared Lord Melchett at a luncheon to the Empire Industries As-

sociation. “Sentiment and goodwill will not indefinitely keep developing communities together. Just as we must have larger tinits in industry, so we must have larger units in economics. When we look at the prosperity of the United States—to which we cannot see a stop being put—with her great Freetrade area within a tariff wall, and when we see the growing tendency towards economic rapproachement in Europe, we must wonder what is going to happen to this country.' I absolutely challenge Sir Austen Chamberlain’s reported statement in Canada that England is a part of Europe. She isn’t. Instead of turning her eyes to Geneva she should turn them to Ottawa and Sydney. Instead of trying to placate the quarrelsome States of Europe we should bind together the Empire’s great heritage. A conference of the Empire’s big business men could work out a scheme of interimperial trade, paying due regard to the aspirations of the dominions to develop their own industries. If only we had the courage to put a ring tariff fence around the Empire there is not a Freetrader in this or any other country, who could oppose such a great extension of free interchange of goods as this would ultimately involve. I hope we shall never allow other nations to dictate what we should be allowed to do with our great heritage. It is time the people of Britain began to assert themselves.”

AUSTRALIAN AVIATOR. LONDON, November 29. A large and distinguished company. - was present when Sir Charles Wakefield gave a dinner to Mr Bert Hinkler in celebration of his record flight to Australia. Sir Charles emphasised the point that one of the most remarkable features of the fight to Australia was its extreme modesty, amounting almost to stealth. Few even of Mr Hinkler’s friends realised how heroically ambitious was the project. He departed in silence, and returned equally unobtrusively, with the result that the British public had no opportunity of showing its'' appreciation of the truly grand achievement. Sir Sefton Brancker, director of civil aviation, toasting Mr Hinkler, said that he began making history when he put Bundaberg on the map by being born there. He had been flying since childhood, and there was no record that he had ever crashed anywhere. He always had a wonderful instinct for finding his way in the air. He was one of the world’s greatest airmen, but few people knew him. Sir Sefton Branckner added that Mr Hinkler did not know fear, and he worked out-.his projects most thoroughly for himself. The speaker toasted “ one of the best tilings that Australia in particular, and the Empire generally, has ever produced—Bert Hinkler.” ’ In responding, Mr Hinkler brightly described the incidents of the flight. Referring to the criticisms of his arrival in Australian capitals on Sundays,- he quoted Archbishop Clunes as follows: “ Mr Hinkler has done more than all the churches —he has kept the whole popular tion looking heavenwards for two days.’’ He paid a glowing tribute to his "all British machine. Sir Harry Brittain, toasting the Com: monwealth, pointed out that Australia, with the greatest mileage in the world, was lined up by civil air services. Mr Fuller responded. WIRELESS BEACONS. RUGBY, November 30. The wireless beacon installation, which was built at Start Point by the Marconi Company for the mercantile marine, has just been completed. This type of station transmits a special signal on an exclusive wave length of 1000 metres for the benefit of ships equipped with wireless direction finders. The Start Point installation is the seventh of its kind now established round the British coasts, others having been installed at Round Island, Skerries* Sptirn lightship, Casquets, Bar lightship’ and Coningby in Ireland. In the near future further beacon stations of the same type will be installed at other points on the British coast, notably North Lundy, Dungeness, Kinnaird Head, and Cromer, In addition, orders have been received for similar stations in other parts of the world. The completion of the Start Point transmitter means that a very effective cross bearing can now be taken by ships using the three Channel stations as their fixed points, and they can thus obtain a sequence of bearings, whenever they are required by navigators and can be' sure of their position right up the Channel. Since the wireless direction finder has become firmly established and more generally employed on merchant vessels of the world a demand has arisen for the erection of permanent installations situated at places of advantage from the shipping viewpoint round the coast, the function of which it is to send out recou. nised signals at convenient intervals for the purpose of enabling ships fitted with direction finders to take their bearings and thereby find their exact position when approaching the coast. The call signal of Start Point is GSM, and accurate direction finding bearings may be expected up to about 100 nautical miles under normal atmospheric conditions.