MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1918, Page 4

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

[PF.R PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] declined on military GROUNDS. / LONDON, March 19. Replying to a deputation from Lords and Commoners, urging a general exchange 'of civilian prisoners, Hon. Lloyd George said it would' involve exchanging fourteen thousand Germans for three thousand British. Government could not accede to this on military grounds. MAORI GIFT TO KING. LONDON, March 19. " King George .has received a Maori gift of £282 sterling. Ho has allocated tli© money to the Red Cross.

A RECEPTION. LONDON March 19. At Sir Thomas Mackenzie’s reception to 'Hon. Heaton Rhodes, Red Cross Commissioner, many New Zealanders were present. Mr Clutha Mackenzie was lauded. HONOURED. LONDON March 19. Major Brandon of the Imperial Air Fleet has been awarded a bronze medallion in recognition’of downing two Zeppelins. - PRICE OF TOBACCO. MELBOURE March 19 The retail price of tobacco has been increased one penny per ounce..

GERMAN INTENTIONS. "*-■ MELBOURNE, This Day. Hon. John Chanter in a speech, said when Germany obtained feabaul she established a base capable of the accommodation of the largest battleship, and established a powerful wireless and also an accumulation of large stores and oil .supplies. When we occupied Rabaul, documents were disclosing the whole d'esign of Germany to annex Australia. COMBING OUT VOTE. LONDON March 19. In connection with the South Wale: miners vote supporting the combing out north Wales voted similarly. / AGAINST COMBING OUT/ > LONDON, March 19. The Lancashire and Cheshire minors voted amajority of 15,000 against the man-power scheme. SWEDISH SHIPPING. STOCKHOLM March 19. By the final terms of the Swedish agreement it is intended to transfer four hundred thousand Swedish tonnage to the Allies use.

BEING DEPORTED. NEW YORK, March 19. Four persons known as Madame Dospina Storok, called the “beautiful Turk,” Count de Claiamnt, Madame Mix and Baron Stenribivalle, will probably ho deported to France in connection with the spy charges. < N. Z. II EIN.FORCEM ENTS. LONDON March 19. ' In the Commons, Mr McPherson replying to Mr Davis, said such reinforcements had been asked from New Zealand as were necessary to maintain tjh© New Zealand formation at- the established strength. Davis enquired—Are the drafts sufficient to keep up the formations at full strength? „ Mr Macpherson—l believe that is the ease. MATSONS TOLEREES. LONDON, March 20 Mr. Macpherson announced in the /House of Commons that tlie British Government had decided, with permission of the Allies, to place Maisons Toleroes in French towns, but ’there would, he shid, be bounds for, the British troops.

- JEWISH UNITS." " ,LONDON, ABtrch ‘2o.' Mr. Macpherson stated in the House of Commons that Jewish units would as far as possible he utilised in Palestine. LEAGUE OF NATIONS. - I LONDON March 19. A meeting of Commoners decided to form a parliamentary group favourable to a League of Nations. (Received this day at 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 20. Lord Parmoor moved tlie approval of the League of Nations, with a tribunal empowered to enforce its orders. Lord Loreburn seconded, saying the only al-| ternative was an even greater armament than before the war. Lord Lansdowne said the crushing of an adversary, could not be the final victory. It would only give breathing space. The League of Nations was the only hope of permanent relief from war. Tlie debate was adjourned.

DIPLOMACY DISCUSSED. (Received This Day at 12.30. a.m.) LONDON, March 20. The House of Commons debated the establishment of a Standing Committee of Foreign Affairs to give Parliament closer, acquaintance with diplomacy Mr. lSal four declared the existing diplomacy was the best system yet devised. Open diplomacy would cause wars, instead of peace. COAL RATIONING. Received, this day at 8.4 b a.m. LONDON March 20 The Coal Controller has decided to ration gas and electricity and also reduce the household coal ration, STRIKERS’ SUCCESS. MADRID, March 20. The postal strike has been settled, government accepting the employees’ demands. RESIGNS. (Reuter’s Telegram.) , Received, this day at 8.45 a.m. MADRID March 20. Cabinet as resigned following the resignation of the War Minister, Sen or Hnciorita.