MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1920, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

[PEIt PRESS ASSOCIATION. COPYRIGHT.)

SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS. CAPETOWN, September 25

At Bloemfontein, the re-union conference of Nationalists and the Boer parties has dissolved without finding any basis of reunion.

Mr Malan (Minister of Mines) stated the cause of the failure was that the Nationalists insisted on the recognition of their ideal of secession in the constitution of any united party. To this the South African Party delegates refused to agree. The latter unanimously adopted its committee’s report regretting that the efforts made towards reunion of the parties were unsuccessful.

BANK RATE RAISING

[“eeuter’s” telegram.]

(Received This Day at 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 25.

It is reported the bank rate will be raised ■in the near future. v This decision has been reached in the hope that large stocks of goods at present being held back, will be placed on the market, thus reducing prices. It is stated the Treasury is determined to make a serious effort to restrict the activities of speculators and compel merchants to disgorge their accumulated stocks.

PRINCE JOACHIM’S SUICIDE. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) BERLIN, Sept. 25. Maximalin Harden, writing in the “Diezukunft,” says the late Prince Joachim shot himself by mistake, because after a violent scene at-the exKaiser’s residence at Doom, he wanted to soften his father’s heart by inflicting a light wound and so make himself interesting as a person capable of committing suicide. ,

FRANCE’S INTENTIONS. (Received this dav at 9.30 a.m.) PARIS, Sept. 25

M. Millerand in a message to Parliament, condemns all domestic dissensions, which should cease in order that France may concentrate on the development of lied greatness and prosperity. He affirms his election shows the country is determined to pursue at home and abroad, a policy which she had followed for the last eight months, and which she will maintain with a more vigorous continuity. FRENCH CONFIDENCE. (Receved this day at 11.30' a.m.) PARIS, Sept. 26. The Chamber by 515 to 71, passed a

vote of confidence in the Government

AN ICE SLIDE. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) GENEVA, September 26

The bursting of a rocket on Montalvert Glacier caused masses of ice to crash down the river flooding the valley, and created a great alarm at Chamonix.

FLOODS AT RIVIERA. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) PARIS, 'September 26. A cyclone caused much damage in

Riviera and floods in Saint Jean do Murienne district did one million sterling damage. The Rhone overflowed near Brizue and expresses for Simplon were unable to pass. Several villages at Valais were inundated.

STRIKE! COLLAPSING. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, September 26

There are indications that the strike among cotton spinners at Oldham has begun to collapse.

WHEAT SUPPLY. PARIS, September 26. The importing of ten million quintals of wheat will suffice to meet the shortage in France’s 1921 harvest.

DAYLIGHT SAVING. LONDON September 24,

- The -Government haye decided to qontinue summer” time, which hould have lapsed on September 27. It will be continued until 'October 25.

COAL TRUCE WELCOMED. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.)

LONDON, Sept. 26.

The coal truce was greeted with joy hells, the miens singing at Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, with manifestations of relief and hope at other coalfields.

HOSPITAL SUNDAY. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 26. For the Saturday Hospital Fund, the League of Mercy, British Red Cross and Order of St. John are combining in an appeal for contributions throughout the week, begisning on 9th Oct. in every part of England and Wales, towards one million annually required fod all phases of health work, from infant welfare to ex-services. Special matinees arc being organised. It is proposed to ask each hoy scout to give one penny each, and London’s twenty thousand police sixpence.

JAPANESE ACTION,

(Received this day at 8 a.m.)

WASHINGTON, Sept 25.

It is reported that Japan has informed China, that Japanese forces remaining in the maritime province of Siheria° will evacuate Vladisvostock, and Makaoward and render the maintenance of Japanese Guards along theChinese Eastern Railway, imperatively necessary, in order to assure the safety of the flank of Japanese troops and lines of communication. It is understood that Japan pointed out that the Allies Supreme Committee at Vladivostok recognised the necessity for the maintenance of these guards and does not consider an encroachment upon Chinese territorial rights. Japan therefore refused to withdraw them.