MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1920, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

[ny TELKCJIIAPH—PEE PR3SBB ASSOCIATION] AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. INDIAN UNREST. DELHI, Dec. 22. The Indian National Congress sitting at Ragpur to discuss whether Home Rule within the Empire or absolute -separation be the goal of Indian nationalism. Bengal extremists are advocating an intensive campaign against the Government, to include a general strike and non-payment of taxes. The political atmosphere is becoming highly oharged. Although the moderates .swept the country at the Council elections, this was only because the extremists boycotted the whole reform scheme. D’ANNUNZIO’S DEFIANCE. ROME, Dec. 22 D’Annunzio replied to General Caviglia’s ultimatum* stating he does not recognise the Treaty of Rapallo and intends to resist. Therefore General Caviglia has ordered a strict land and sea blockade of Fiume, which will bo absolutely isolated. BOLSHEVIK MOVE. CONSTANTINOPLE, Dec. 22. Bolsheviks are concentrating at Baku for a descent on Georgia. It is feared it portends to the Bolsheviking of the whole caucus, which- is a safe base for operations against Persia. TRADE WITH RUSSIA. ENGLISH LEGAL DECISION. • LONDON, Dec. 22. In a test case concerning trade with Russia, Mr Justice Roche has decided that the plaintiffs, who are an old established Russian must succeed to property confiscated by the Soviet, and which M. Krassin sold to an English company. Justice Roche’s judgment maintains as intact proprietory rights acquired under the old regime in Russia so long as Britain does not recognise the Soviet Government.

HARDING’S VIEWS. (Received Thiß Day at 9.43 a.m.) NEW YORK, Dec 23.

It is learned authoritatively that Mr Harding, following the Conference, favours the formation of the Association of Nations, the basis of which would be a Court to deal with judiciary questions. ' The first step would consist of obtaining the consent of United States, Britain, France, Japan and Italy, the theory being that the o-ther nations would thereof fall into line. Other questions would be considered by the nations in conference.

WELSH TIN PLATE. (Received This Dav at 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 23. The Welsh tin plate industry is in a state of utter stagnation. Probably a majority of the works will close down early in 1921 because of the lack of orders, due mainly to the inability of foreign buyers to continue high prices. INCREASING CAPITAL. (Received This Day at 11.30 a.m.) BERLIN, Dec. 23. The Hamburg-America line proposes to increase the capital by one hundred million marks to be subscribed by other shipping companies, and not offered in the open market, in order to prevent a controlling position being secured by foreign capitalists, who have lieen buying extensively,' pwipg to the lowness of the market. It is-reported a number of other industrial concerns are adopting similar methods. ( A STONEWALL. LONDON, JDec 23. The House of Commons had an allnight sitting discussing the Lords Amendments to the Agricultural Bill, which- consisted of seventeen pages. By 1 O'a.m. they had only reached the sixth page. About twenty Oppositionists and 20 Ministerialists were present. FIUME’S POSITION. (Received This Day at 10.40 a.m.) ROME, December 23. D’Annunzio has declared Fiume to be in a state of war. A proclamation for bids the population to leave the town and contain a warning that anyone speaking against him, will be liable to be shot.

The Italian Government is sending aeroplanes to Fiume to drop pamphlets stating persons wishing to leave, must do so by Xmas morning.