AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1920, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

(Reuter’s Telegram.) CHARGES OF WASTE, j (Received This Day at 9.45 a.m.) 1 NEW YORK, Nov. 12. ! Charges of waste, inefficiency and extravagance aginst United States Ship- ' ping Board were made before the Coni gressional Committee which started an I investigation several days ago, have he--1 gun to attract serious attention upon a a substantiation of the charges by Com- ' mander Clement, executive assistant to i that the wooden ships programme resulted in a colossal loss to the Govemj ment. That employees of the Shipping | Board who sold Government material, j later were employed by tho purchasers; 'that wholesale malfeasance occurred in the purchase of materials, and that the records of the Shipping Board were inextrieally confused. Clement pointed out that these conditions prevailed previous to Benson’s advent as head of the Shipping Board, but he was attempting to correct the state of affairs. IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. (Received This Day at 9.45 a.m.) NiEW YORK, Nov. 12. Tlie Australian Press Association learns from the Colonial Office that -the Imperial Conference in June will be con fined to Premiers, for the purpose of discussing general business only. It is not ’.intended to deal with constitutional questions in June, the Constitutional Conference being deferred indefinitly. A JAPANESE VIEW. (Received This -Day "at 9.45 a.m.) NEW YORK, Nov. 12. Thfej “Chicago Tribune” ■correspondent interviewed Baron Cato in Tokio. Cato said: “I believe the Californian law violates the Japanese-Ameriean •Treaty. Ido not know how to cliarac--1 terise our position in California except that it is curious and ironical. My j main hope is that a majority of American people may see California’s mistake and co-operate with Japan for an adjustment of tlie difficulty.”