AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1920, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. cancelling - contracts. NEW YORK, Dec 27. Martens, the unrecognised Soviet ambassador, whom United States Govern- j merit' ordered to be deported, lias received a\ablo from Tehiclierin ordering him to cancell all contracts with American firms, aggregating fifty million dollars, and to return to Russia immediately. - RECIPROCAL TRADE. OTTAWA, Dec. 27. The Montreal “Star” states that an agreement for reciprocal trade between Canada and Australia is under Developments are expected early in tlie New Year. The Canadian Government, 'some time ago made a proposal.to Australia, but nothing was done owing to the instability of Australian political conditions. Later when the Australian tariff was being revised, the subject was again broached. The Commonwealth replied that nothing could be done until the new fiscal policy had .been ratified. Now that ratification has been accomplished, the Canadian Trade and Commerce Department intend further to propose a system of preferential reciprocacy between Canada and Australia, such as already exists between Canada and New Zealand. THE JAP QUESTION OTTAWA, ■ Dec. 27. Government have issued an emphatic official denial of the report published

extensively through United “States that Canada was joining in negotiations, alleged to be taking place in United States, Australia and New Zealand, to prohibit Japanese immigration. It is jointly announced that no such negotiations have occurred. Tlie New York "Tribune” to-day, intimated that the colonies were leaving to Britain this question, hut the only basis for tlie report apparently is a suggestion in a recent speech by Senator Lodge, that some’ joint action was advisable, in order to impress Japan. CHINESE FINANCE. NEW YORK Dec 27. Despatches from Tientsen state tlie Tientsin Government Mint has concluded a. million dollar loan with the SinoFrench bank, under which, the bank can purchase all the mint’s bullion, and take charge of the output of silver dollars and copper coins. It is understood the funds supplied through the banks are Japanese and it is rumoured a large part of the loan will ho used by the military and civil Government of the

Chihi-li province for election expenses and for control of the new parliament. The Chinese bankers have sent a protest to the Chinese Government, alleging the Sino-French bank’s control of the mint's output to bo highly detrimental to native banking interests.