OVERNIGHT CARLES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17566, 17 June 1925, Page 11

OVERNIGHT CARLES.

LONDON, June 16. The House of Commons will devote a day, probably June 24, to a debate on the proposed security pact. ’ Six Liberal members have tabled motions expressing apprehension at Britain entering into an exclusive pact with foreign nations which might draw ’ Britain into war. [ SYDNEY, June 16. ( Burns, Philp and Co. decided to ac cede to the seamen’s demands and in ‘ sert a guarantee clause in their new agreement. After this announcement the com pany had no difficulty in securing crews for two of their ships which ar< ' due to sail. At the inquiry into the Traveston railway disaster Henry Cook, driver oi the leading engine, said he did nd knew of the disaster till the Westinghouse brake pulled the train up. He then sent the fireman back to find out what was the matter. Two engines would tend to deaden the effect of any dragging. The road, witness stated, was usually rough in several parts, due to the sleepers not being properly packed. LONDON, June 15. Lord Ronaldshay, speaking at the annual meeting cf the Royal Geo graphical Society, said members of tbe Mount Everest Expedition had not accepted defeat. The question of a final effort depended on Tibet’s willingness to allow another expedition. Lord Ronaldshay presented the Peek Grant to Michael Terry, for work in Northern Australia. LONDON, June 16The Secretary for Air, Sir Samuel Hoare, speaking in London, said he desired to stimulate in Britain and ever the whole Empire an air sense, and so make Britons an air people as they were now proud to be a sea people. The Government’s air programme, the Minister said, would make Britain three times as strong as when they took office. This would involve only 60 per cent increase in expenditure. LONDON, June 15. The "Morning Post,” discussing the attituJe of the dominions towards the proposed pact, says: "An endeavour is being made to create the impression that they oppose the pact. We understand tha£ both Australia and New Zealand are favourable and, despite Mr Mackenzie King’s blunt reference, there is willingness among Canadians to give the arrangement fair consideration. The same waiting attitude is observable in South Africa. The dominions, very properly, are not going to be precipitate in judgment at an early state of the negotiations. It would be puerile for responsible dominion statesmen to condemn the pact before they have read its clauses. We quite understand the sympathies and suspicions which the dominions entertain of European entanglements and et Britain’s share in their prepossessions, but v/e cannot get away from the Continent and dare not leave Europe to take care of itself. Wc hope the dominions will understand this argument, and ask themselves whether the proposed pact will help to secure the British Empire, as we think it will. OTTAWA, June 16. The abolition of the post o i Governor-General was recommended by Air J. S. Woodsworth. a Labour member of the House of Commons when the vote for expenses for maintaining the Governor-General’s residence was before the House. Mr Woodsworth was supported by another Labour member, Mr Irvine, of Calgary. Both members disclaimed any intention of disparaging the present or any incumbent of the post. - The recommendation, Mr Woodsworth declared, was in the interests of economy. H© thought the Chief Justice of Canada should discharge the ' duties and save the expense, which he estimated at 500.000 dollars vearlv. The Minister of Railways, Mr' G. P. Graham, who was leading th© House, said that Lord Byng had proved himself to he a man of the people, a real ifian and a democrat. So long as the "Imperial Government sent to Canada such men as Lord Byng he felt that Canada would be benefited by the present system of appointing G over no rsGeneral. The discussion then dropped.