HOME AND FOREIGN.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14843, 8 December 1913, Page 8

HOME AND FOREIGN.

('Tiznee"-Sydney "Sun" Special Cab I*) RECLAMATION. THE HAGUE, December 5. The Dutch Parliament will shortly consider a scheme for reclaiming 815 equare miles of the Zuyder Zee, and converting the remaining 557 square miles into a freshwater lake at a cost of £15,750,000, exclusive of interest. The scheme will Sake 33 years to complete, bat it is believed that a portion will be available for settlement in seventeen years. c (By C*ble.—Prcw Associttion—Copyright.) FIGHTING IN PERSIA. TEHERAN, December 5. After four days' sharp fighting Between gendarmes and tribesmen, the former cleared the Shiraz-Bushire road. They banged three of the fomenters of the disturbances, but some of the more important culprits escaped. THE HOLY SEE, PARIS, December 5. The papers state, but wit& reserve, that the Pope, at the conclusion of the Constantino celebrations, will issue a document dealing with the independence of the Holy See, affirming in tue most energetic manner that the Pope must not be placed under any powers. H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND. LONDON, December 6. The Hon. Thomas Mackenzie sent a wireless message welcoming H.M.S. New Zealand on her return, inviting the officers to a reception on the 16th inst. Captain Halsey replied thanking Mr Mackenzie for his invitation, and said.that all on board looked back with pleasure on their stay in New Zealand. PANAMA TOLLS DISPUTE. ; WASHINGTON, December 6. An international diplomatic conference is suggested as a means for an amicable settlement of the controversy between Great Britain and the Uniteu States over the Panama tolls questions by Mr Hannis Taylor, a former Minister to Spain. Mr Taylor disagrees with Mr Choate's view that America should repeal the clause in the Panama Act allowing coastwise shipping to pass through free, or submit the case to arbitration. Hβ considers that both methods are impracticable.