MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1920, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

fAUSTRALIAN <fe N.Z. OAULW ABSOLUTION]

the NAURU DEAL. LONDON, July 20.

In the House of Commons on die report stages of the Nauu Island Agreement Bill, the Government made no attempt to reverse the Standing Committee’s decision to make the ratification of the agreement subject no .Article Twenty-two of tlie Covenant of the League of Nations.

On the third reading, Commander Dawes, '(Coalition-Liberal for Southwark), declared the Government High t, to have bought the Nauru Company's shares in the open market. He failed to see how we are going to get 6 -r cent on the money. It ought not to go forth that we are profiteering largely under the guise of the mandate. Lieutenant Mosley (Coalition Uni joist for Harrow), also though the Government made a bad bargain, although someone he said, made a lot of money out of the transaction. «

Colonel Wilson, speaking for the Go vernment, quoted figures showing hat Australia would benefit to the extent of 14/- per ton on the phosphates and that New Zealand would profit even more. The Bill was carried a chird time by 116 to 31.

CAPITALISTIC MOVE. LONDON, July 20.

In reference to Mr Theodore, the Queensland Premier’s recent speech pointing out Queensland anti-Labourite capitalists had gone to London to financially damage their own State, an Anglo-Australian financier in the course of an interview, said that any difficulty or loss of credit with wh'eh Mr Theodore found himself faced in London was not due to any misunderstanding or prejudice created on the part of financiers or stock exchange members. He asserted it was due to a widespread feeling of distrust caused principally by tlie passing of the Queensland Land Act and Amendment Act, back in 1910, This the financial community of London regarded as :» breach of faith and a violation of <:■ ntract. It was reasonable for Mr Theedorc to say this London refusal to lend his Government any money js an inteference with the sovereign rights of Queensland. But the character of legislation in any country was a governing factor in considering its ability to raise loans in the London market. If there were not a Labour Government in Queensland hut one, which commanded the confidence of the eapi tal investors there would be money for loans.

FLYERS STRIKE TROUBLE. , SINGAPORE, July 21. Parer and Mclntosh left for Banea yesterday. They were obliged to return owing to a thunderstorm. Holes were blown in the wings. Mclntosh says it was their worst experience since leaving England. A fresh start is being made to-day. BATTLESHIP BADEN SALVED. (Received this dav at 8.40 a.m.) LONDON,’ July 30. Tlte German battle ship Baden has been solved at Sca-pa Flow and has arrived at Portsmouth. She will bo employed in the British Navy. RAILWAY CHARGES. (Received this day at 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, July 20. Agitation against increased railway fares is spreading. Protest meetings wero held at seaside resorts and also by metropolitan Commoners who especially complained against the increase checking the August holiday traffic. The pressure on Government is so strong that it is likely to defer the date of increase from Ist. August to Ist. September. It is estimated the postponement will cost three millions.

INVITATION DECLINED. (Received this day, at 9.H0 a.m.) LONDON, July 21. Lord iHa-nnsworth in the Commons stated Finland, Latvia and Lithuania have declined the invitation to participate in a peac<j conference at London