MISCELLANEOUS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1919, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

REBELS NEAR BAGDAD. VANCOUVER, Dec. 17. The War Office announces that a Tarco-Arab movement is developing in Mesopotamia, causing danger of a flare up. A rebel column is nearing Bagdad. THE ATLANTIC STORMS, FOURTEEN WRECKS. VANCOUVER, Dec. 19. Thirteen schooners and one steamer were wrecked in last weeks storms in the north Atlantic THE' INDIAN SHOOTINGS. LONDON. Dec 19. Mr Montague, in the House of Commons said that ho hoped the Amritsar inquiry as to the shooting down of Indians would be finished by the end' of this moth. He said he appreciated the profound disturbance of public opinion caused, but asked the House to wait for an authoratative announcement-.

PRINCE OF WALES’ PAPER LONDON, Dec. 19. The Prince of Wales null be absent from England for 6 or 8 months on liis coming tour.

BRITISH* rotmesi LONDON, December 19;

On the Tliird ; reading of tlie Appropriation Bill in the House of Cortnnons Sir Donald McLean (Liberal Header), condemned secret diplomacy. He asked whether Britain had agreed to 1 assist in the defence of France, regardless of what America’s attitude is. - He alto- demanded information regarding Italy, which undoubtedly, is a "dangerous storm centre. Ho also deplored the widespread private extravagance in Britain. It resembled, he said, “a mad danco over the inferno.” Lord Robert Cecil stated that only the early ratification of the Peace Treaty would relieve the European tension. He regretted the Governmentwas apathetic towards the League of Nations. There was no indication, he said, that the Government wa-s determined to make the League a success. Mr Clynes (Labour), said tlio people were athirst for information as to the • foreign negotiations. 'These must be treated no longer secretly as they were during war time.

A RESIGNATION. WASHINGTIN, December 19. Mr Franlclyn Lane has announced .his retirement from President Wilson’s Cabinet. He specifically denies that there has been any friction between himself and the President. U. S. COAL STRIKE. WASHINGTON, December 17. Statistics show that the coal miners lost only twelve millions sterling in .wages during the recent big strike although it nffeqf(ed‘ nearly all the miners in the United States. It gained a fourteen per cent rise. SHORTAGE OF FOOD. LONDON; December- 19.

Mr McCurdy, of the Ministry of Food tfddjressing a 'conference of Labour Members and Local Food Committees, said there would be a serious shortage of essential foodstuffs in ; 1920, butter almost disappearing. 'Experts’ predicted that 1920 would be the most critical year since the start of the ' war as regards butter and cheese supplies. Tea supplies had decreased though the consumption had increased. There was no prospect of the world’s supply of sugar balancing the demands. There was a surlus of meat in Britain at present, but there would he a world’‘s shortage in 1920. It was essential to again control bacon, because prices had bounded up, and bacon had deteriorated when control was removed. POSITION IN ENGLAND. LONDON, December 19. Mr Roberts in the 'House of Com-

mons, said that some form of supervision of food supplies must be exervised for at least three years. It was proposed to free all home grown agricultural products except meat, by June. A CONFERENCE. 'Received this day’ at 9.20 a.ml) LONDON, Dec. 19. A statistical conference at which Mr Ivnibhs represents the Commonwealth, opens on 20tli January.