MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1920, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

SENATE AND TREATY. WASHINGTON, March 15

It is unerstood there has been a further exchange of correspondence between Mr Wilson and Mr Hitchcock, in which the President pointed out the new move by Messrs Borah and Lodge to frame modifications of the Lodge reservations, especially in regard to Article Ten are merely camouflage to gain Democratic votes, and are tantamount to the nullificaion of the Treaty. Correspondence between them was shown to several Democratic Senators, and ’it is expected they will vote to reject the I new compromise. The filial vote on I Article Ten will come up on Tuesday. It I is said the Treaty is certain to be de- I feated. I

RESERVATION ON ARTICLE' 10. ’ WASHINGTON, March 15. The Senate ratified Mr Lodge’s substitute reservation on article 10, of the Peace Treaty. THE FIJI RIOTS. (Received This T)av at 12.25 p.m.) - LONDON, March 10. In the. Commons, replying to a series of questions in reference to the recent riots at Fiji, Mr Amerv stated that 128 men and fourteen women had been convicted of riotous behaviour and fiftysix others had been committed or were on remand on charges of wrecking bridges etc. An armed guard of fifty , men as sent from New Zealand to assist in the maintenance of oilier, but they did not fire on anybody nor cause casualties. The Governor has appointed a commission to investigate the question of cost of living and irages for Indians. JEWISH WAR MEMORIAL. (Received this day at 1.30 p.m.) I LONDON, March 12. Over £IIO,OOO has hitherto have raised towards the £1,000,000 for a Jewish War Memorial. A. special appeal lias been addressed to Jewish Communities I in the oDminion. I DOUBLE INCOME TAX. (Received this day at 1.30 p.m.) I LONDON, March 12. The “Daily Chronicle” states the ✓ Royal Commission on income tax rates be abolished. It is proposed henceforth. that the tax on profits of trading concerns should be paid at the highest 1 • leviable rate in Britain or the Dormin- I ions, but no longer in both. I

THE SCHELDT TREATY. (Received this dav at, 1.30 p.m.) BRUSSELS, March 12. The Belgo-Dutch Treatq in regard to the Scheldt provides for a joint permanent administration of the river by a commission composed of three representatives from each country. Probably there will be complete freedom of passage for all ships except warships. j ONLY MARKET. LONDON, March 12. The Bank of England discount rate, which had. stood at 5 per at. since April 5, 1917, op. which date it was j*ehmduced from 51 per cent, was raised to 6 per cent, op November 0. The open market rate for three months’ bill is sif per cent., as compared with 51 per cent, last week and 31 per cent, last year. Short loans are quoted at per cent, last week, and 3] per cent, last year. The price of gold has fallen to £5 7s 2d per ounce. Foreign rates of exchange on London are quoted: ’Paris, 49.22 francs to £1 ; Stockholm ,18.42 kroner; Christiania, 21.22 kroner; Montreal, 4.23 dollars; New York, 3.781 dollars; Calcutta, 803 d to rupee.

AFRICAN POLITICS. CAPETOAA T N, March IG.

Much significance is attached to an article in “’Onslann”, the Government organ, which states the only logical consequence of*the decision of the electors is that General Smuts should give .Hertxog an opportunity of taking the responsibility of Government of the Union on his own shoulders, seeing he has more followers than the leader of any other single party. Then, at least, the political atmosphere would be cleared, with or without political thunderstorms.

Ross, Chairman of Transvaal Nationalist Party, in a manifesto, says independence is no temporary matter, nor is the election cry to be thrown aside, hut something holy and precious that oiilv traitors could renounce.