BRITISH & FOREIGN

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 24 December 1926, Page 7

BRITISH & FOREIGN

OVERNIGHT NEWS SUMMARY., (Per Press Association—Copyright.) PARIS,. December 22. The first. section of electrified railway in France has been opened from Paris to Vierzon, about 130 miles. The train travelled at the rate of 83 miles an hour, LONDON, December 22. The Empire Christmas pudding weighing 141bs has been conveyed to Buckingham Palace, also a cask of Cyprus brandy, in the event of it being desired to serve the pudding accompanied by brandy sauce. LONDON, December 22. The Port Said correspondent of the “Times” states that the ardour of philatelists proved fata! at Port Said, where a rush to secure the special issue of commemorative stamps, occasioned a melee, in which one was killed and many injured. Otherwise the celebrations were a success. MADRID, December 22. The first prize in the Christmas lottery of fifteen million pesetas (roughly £500,000), was won by the students at the Academy of Fine Arts, who pooled their chances. Half the second prize, ten million pesetas, falls to a charitable society in Madrid. The third prize of five million pesetas, goes to a branch of the Credit Lvonnais Bank in Cuba. LONDON, December 22. The report of the West Ham Guardians upon the administration since the Socialist Board wa.s turned out. and the Board officials took over the distribution of poor relief, states that West Ham’s liabilities were then £499,000. The number receiving relief since has been reduced 25 per cent., and the amount of relief given since has been reduced 45 per cent. Instead of borrowing at? the rate of £700,000 annually, the Board has ceased to borrow, and has paid off the deficit. It is now paying interest on outstanding loans out of revenue, besides reducing the call upon the ratepayers to the extent of 2d in the £. OTTAWA. December 22. The Canadian Colonisation Department has definitely decided to concentrate settlement on small holdings for the next three years. The disastrous experiment of attempting to settle soldiers on the land without having previous experience, shows that capital is essentia} if ordinary people ar e to make farming a success on a large scale. A scheme is being worked out with the sanction of the British Government, the latter and Canada giving £]()(} each to British families located on land, and Canada will give £2OO to Canadians living in cities who *tart farming. LONDON, December 23. The Riga correspondent of “The Times*’ says that although General Voldemaras's Ministry has been formally installed, the military remains the real ruling force in Lithuania. Civilians have been ordered to disarm under the severest penalties. The authorities are still issuing scaring reports alleging that Poland is lying in wait for an opportunity to find a pretext for active military interference. but the neighbour States consider the warnings primarily serve to justify the military measures. Searchers are most active among the Communist elements Three hundred aurests have already been made. All the ex-Ministens have been released on parole, and the Government buildings have been re-opened. LONDON. December 23. ‘‘Russia recently placed, in foreign yards, a number of orders for submarines, including several of large dimensions,” says the political correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph,' which editorially remarks that the competition which used to centre round capital ships, has been shifted to destroyers and submarines. “Never were .so many vessels of these types afloat, building or projected. Vast treasure is being poured into shipyards in order that some Powers may increase their flotillas of mosquito craft. The movement continues without explanation of policy. This is a subject to which 1 lie American people, who gave a. notable lead in the matter of limitation of armaments, might, with benefit to humanity, direct their attention.”