MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 May 1920, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

(Imperial News Service). . MR WATT’S MISSION. LONDON, May 11. Hon. Mr Watt (Australian Federal Treasurer) in outlining to the British journalists the objects of his financial mission to England, said that amnogst other things the people of Australia entertained strong opinion on the payment*- of reparation by Germany. Whether British opinion on this subject had become more indulgent in the past twelve months or not, lie was unable to judge, but the Australian conviction had not altered, and Australia 100 Iced for a resolute observance of the Treaty. The -Australian public did not want German goods. He would be very surprised if Australia’s portals were opened to German trade in the present generation. Ho liad not come with complaints,, but simply “to have a talk on family business.” Tie had propounded a scheme for dealing with the Empire’s debts, 'but so far ho had not received a reciprocal reply. “John Bull and Company” bad not held enough meetings of their Board of Directors. “ You could not run a firm so huge,” he said, “altogether by correspondence and cablegrams. The junior partners may not hold an identical opinion with senior ones, but consideration of the different points of view would avert misunderstandings and conduce to unity and harmony.” Aus-, tralia, be said, was keen on her job, and her principal job was to preserve their' great Southern outpost for the British people. Australians had a religious pride *of blood and faith ill the Empire partnership. They’ had onierged from a grim struggle more resolutely British than before. *

VOTES FOR WOMEN. CAPETOWN, May 11. The Assembly, by CG to 47 votes, .■ranted leave for tlie introduction of a private Dill extending the franchise to women. General Smuts, while stroivdy in favour of tlie principle, said it was desirable that tlie matter should be dealt with on non-party lines; therefore Government could favour the Billlie urged the House to give the Bill a chance. ADMISSION OF WOMEN. LONDON, May 12. The Oxford Convocation passed, unopposed, a statute providing for matriculation and admission of women to Cambridge. , The authorities arc divided whether to take similar action or establish a separate university. ITALY AND JUGO-SLAVIA. PARIS, May 12. It is understood that a- conference of Jugo-Slavia and the Italians at Pal-, langa has reached an agreement. Italy accepts President Wilson’s proposed boundary between Italy and Jugo-Sh.-vift;. Italy' obtains sovereignty over the town of Finnic but the League of Nations is to administer the sea port.

VISITS TO WAR GRAVES. LONDON, May 12. A* representative meeting at tlie New Zealand Office discussed plans for assisting visitors to see graves in France. It was resolved to ask the New Zealand Red Cross to guarantee!necessary financial assistance. ADMIRAL BEATTY. , LONDON, May 12. Admiral . Beatty will be . the guest, of honour -nt a AVestralian dinner early in June. STEAMER STRIKES MINE. (Received this day at 8 a.m.)--ROME, May 12.' The steamship Assiria of 956 tons engaged in the service between Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Leghorn (truck a mine and sunk. Four boatloads of the ships people were seen near Saute Sofa no. Destroyers have gone to the scene.

THE MIKADO DYING. LONDON, May 12. The rumour comes from Tokio that the Mikado is dying. The news has hitherto ••'been repressed, under a hlw prohibiting stories regarding his recent unbalanced actioiis-and habits. COTTON GROWING. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, May 12. Mr Hunter agent-General for Queensland, proceeds to Manchester on Friday to negotiate for cotton growing in Queensland. This has been the subject of correspondence for some months Lancashire is particularly anxious to extend the sources of supply of raw cotton, in view of the increasing demand on American and Egyptian crops. The Chambers of Commerce have now invited Mr Hunter to discuss definite details. It is pointed out that there is a big enterprise in cotton growing in connection with soldiers settlements and otherwise which will be only justified if the present high prices of cotton continues or Lancashire spinners and others guaranteed to purchase the output at a- fixed price over\a period of years. Experiments conducted by the Imperial Institute of Manchester Chamber of Commerce Showed that Queensland cotton, was of good, marketable nuality. DOCKER’S ATTITDDE. LONDON, May 12,

TJ] nines dockers refused to complete loading aeroplanes, guns and ammunition on steamer Polly George, when they learned they were destined for Poland for use against Russia, The owners agreed to discharge the ammunition and accept only general cargo. The dockers then resumed.

AIR SERVICE IN CHINA. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) PEKIN, May 12. An aerial postal service botwene Pekin and Tientsin has been inaugurated, an aeroplane carrying ina-il and passengers both ways on the 11th. An. air service between Shanghai and Tientsin wil be begun shortly.