MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1920, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —OOPYRIfIHT.)

NATIONAL CONFERENCE SITTING

LONDON September 21

Sir R. Horne (Labour Minister) again met the miners representatives on the Coal Conference. He asked them to accept his proposal for an impartial “tribunal with reference to the wages question. The delegates stated they could not do so, as an increase was imperative.

The Miners’ Executive met privately lator on. They dispersed without again meeting Sir R. Horne, who was waiting to see them again.

It is assumed the whole matter will be placed before, the National Conference of tho Miners Delegates. This is meeting in 'London to-morrow. Then the Executive may allow the delegates to take! the responsibility for deciding on future action.

EUROPEAN SITUATION. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) HAGUE, Sept. 20

The Queen’s speecli at the opening of Parliament, stated that the situation in Europe remained uncertain, preventing the aspirations of the League of Nations being fulfilled. Therefore measures would be take to reinforce the active forces in Holland, while lessening the pressure of military service, both on the, individual and on the country’s finances.

FIGHTING IN FORMOSA. (Received this day. at 9.30 a.m.) TOKIO, Sept. 21. A serious uprising is reported in Formosa, many being killed in fighting witli the natives. The latter’s buildings were burned. EVACUATED. t fßeeeived this day at 9.20 a.m.l TOKIO, Sept. 21. Tho War Office announces -that the Japanese have evacuated Karborovsk, in Siberia.

COAL CRISIS IN ENGLAND (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 21

Mr Smillie officially announced that nothing emerged during the Conference to justify the prevention of the strike.

DRINK QUESTION AT HOME

'Received this dav at 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 21

The report of the Lambeth Conference, Social Problems Committee, (including the Bishop of Auckland, also six Australian, eleven Americans and Canadian Bishops), cabled on the 12th August, dealing witli the drink question is non-committal as to the desirable ness' of prohibtion; but testifies to the improvement in the economic and social conditions in tho United States consequent on prohibition. Conditions in Great Britain were greatly improved under the war restriction imposed by the Liquor Control Board. The partial removal of the restriction after the war had produced a distinct relapse. All English bishops on the committee agreed as to desirableness of fuller State control, local option, and public house reform in the United Kingdom; but regarding State purchase and prohibition there were differences of opin- . # ion.

WOOL PRICES DECLINE. (Received tin's dav at 12.2 d n.ml LONDON. Sept, 21. The wool sales opened this week, prices declined five to ten per cent,

UNITED ITALY CELEBRATIONS.

[LONDON TIMES SERVICE —COI'YHIGU'L This Day at 12.20 p.m.) ROME, Sept. 21.

In connection with United Italy celebrations, the King’s message significantly referred to Labour, and declared now that weapons were laid aside all dissensions must a,lso he) laid! nsise.* Speeches of the Presidents of the Senate, Chamber, and other notables enlarged upon the theme. They urged the union of all Italians for the good of the country. Most of the newspapers have adopted a similar attitude, and supporting Giolitti, but already there are rocks ahead. A commission lias been appointed to study tile control of industry, the personnel being composed equal ly of manufacturers and labourites but the latter are exclusively confederation's ,ignoring the important Catholic labourites and the Popular Payty.