MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1920, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright )

SUCCESSFUL LOAN,

BARIS, March 21 The French National peace ,oan has been a. great success.

LONDON March 20.

A rise in tin is due to a bear covering speculation buying, and also the demand in America where lower prices attracted consumers.

SWEEPSTAKES SUPPRESSED. (Received this day at 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, March 9

In continuation of the action re sweep stakes, cabled on Feb. 13tli, the Home Office is prosecuting two British officers for selling tickets in a so-called £25,000 grand national sweep-stake, organised by the British Services Club at Boulogne, in aid of British and French war charities. The prosecution admitted that this sweepstake was bonafide. The defendants said they had seen the Home Secretary who suggested that if the sweepstakes were held, it should he abroad. The Home Secretary apparently intends to suppress all sweep-stakes and has already prohibited Stock Exchange sweeps on behalf of Saint Dun-, stan’s.

COMING BOAT RACE. (Received this day at 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, March 19. ,-The University boat race is considered very open. Both crews have come on well since they arrived at Putney and are doing fast times. Cambridge is handicapped by having the stroke absent for three days through a chill. ENGLAND TO GAPE. (Received *L'his Day at 9.25 a.m.) CAPETOWN, March 20. The aeroplane Voortrckker has arrived with pilots Van Rynveld and Brand. This is-the first complete flight from England to Cape, in which three machines were used. The airmen were welcomed*' by the .Governor-General and large crowds. BANK RATE NOT RISING. LONDON, March 21. The Bank of England announces that it will withdraw its six months Treasury bills from sale, and will substitute twelve months. This is interpreted as a hint that the authorities do not desire to increase the bank rates and it has caused a decidedly better tone on thq Stock Exchange rates. A DROP COMING. LONDON, March 21. The newspaper “Fairplay” says:— “The majority of shipowners believe a fall in freights is imminent. “This is, despite the accounts of ships, being held up by Labour troubles.”

WQOJL SALES. , LONDON, March 21

At the wool sales on the 19th recent rates for all sorts wore fully maintained. New Zealand T.B.S. fetched 3s-21d. NO HOUSES—GO TO GAOL LONDON, March 20. Over 2000 Chelmsford people have asked the town council, owing to scarcity <-f houses, to provide lodgings in the county gaol, which at present is empty. The Council requested the Home Office to allot cells to 200 single men and convert other space into flats. The Home Office is favourable, but will not permit structural alterations as the building is liable to revert to its original purpose.

BRITISH ARMY STRENGTH. LONDON. March (20. The Army estimates for 1920-1921, which will be considered in the House of Commons on Monday, have been issued, and show a total of £125,000,000 compared with £405,000,000 for 1919.

TURKS NEW ALLY. LONDON, March 20. It is reported that Turkey has concluded an offensive, and defensive alliance with the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Alliance document has been signed. It provides for reciprocal assistance in the event of a foreign power attempting to establish a political, administrative, or economic protectorate over either country. Both are to refuso to sign the Peace Treaty or disarm if the independence of Turkey :> endangered or the independence of Azerbaijan is not recognised. Turkey supplies munitions of war, and trains the other’s Tartar troops. It noteworthv that Azerbaijan contains the Baku oilfield, and must not be confused with the Persian province of Azerbaijan. WAR LESSONS. LONDON, March 20. Lord Haldane, at Bristol University, said the lessons of the war would not be ignored. While highest effect would be to make acceptable a League of Nations, they could not be certain in regard to the future. The nations’ duty was to make ready, and not be caught unprepared. JAJANESE POLITICS. LONDON, March 19. Mr. Greenwood, in the House of Commons, stated the British representative at Tokio had telegraphed an explanation of the situation, which resulted in the dissolution of the Japanese Diet on the 2Gth of February. It was duo, ho says, to the Opposition’s demand for the grant of universal suffrage, for which the country was not yet considered ready. Therefore it was decided that a general election be held in May. Their Opponents and the newspapers arc now heavily attacking the Japanese Cabinet also on their finance, and their failure to reduce tho cost of living. The immediate result of tho dissolution is the failure of the Budget, which provided for an increased defence vote, Tariff revision on protectionist lines and anti-dumping.

ACCOMMODATION. LONDON, March 21. Owing to the difficulty in obtaining rooms in hotels and boarding houses, an organisation has been formed to help visitors arriving from America and the Dominions, of whom many thousands are expected during the summer- The organisation with accommodation ordered through it, will also keep the daily details of the vacant accommodation in hotels in London and outskirts, to which visitors will be directed, on arrival at railway stations.

COAL PRICE

LONDON, March 21

British coal owners have agreed to reduce until the end of August, the price of bunker coal to 7'ss per ton for liners and other shipping proceeding to foreign destinations. This will reduce coal profits by twenty millions.

TURKISH REPORT. LONDON, March 21

The Paris edition of the “Chicago Tribune” publishes uncoi firmed reports stating there is a general insurrection throughout Turkish territory.

FOOTBALL COMPULSORY

i.ONDON, March 21

The French War Minister is making football compulsory in every regiment and has also instructed military commanders to develop general sports throughout the Army.

ADDITION TO NAVY. LONDON, March 21

The latest addition to the Navy is the light cruiser Frobisher which was launched at Devonport. The cruiser combines a thirty knot speed with a powerful armament. The design was adopted as a result of the first of the Emden’s raiding successes.

TO COMBAT BOLSHEVISTS. WASHINGTON, March 22. Mr Lansing has accepted the honorary chairmanship of the National Board which was organised for the purpose of combating Bolshevists.

CHINA AND JAPAN

(Received This Day at 8 a.m.) NEW YORK, March 22. The New York “Times” Peking correspondent reports it is announced that Japan is not pressing China to renew the Chino-Japanese agreement of 1918. It was at first feared that Japan might, under the agreement, force China to participate in operations against Bolsheviks in Siberia. The administration of the Chinese' eastern railway has been reorganised securing a Chinese majority on the directorate.