BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 January 1921, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. DIAMOND COY INTERESTS. CAPETOWN, January 19. The business interests of Capetown representing shareholders in the late Diamond Coy. in German South West Africa, secured the support of shareholders representing threequarters of a

million sterling to invest the moneys due in wool for export to Germany. Government consent will bo necessary as the proclamation provides for payment of hmece moneys in Government bonds. COLONIAL SECRETARYSHIP.

APPOINTMENT OF HON W. CHURCHILL. reuter’s telegrams. LONDON, Jan 19. Referring to Hon W. Cliurchill’tTColonial Secretaryship, the “Daily News” expresses dismay at the prospect of an appointment of so forceful a personality at the moment when the Dominions are vehemently protesting against having to transact business with the Imperial Government through the Colonial Office officials. Tlie pape'r regards, as still less satisfactory the pros-

peet in Mesopotamia, which, .it says will he still more Churchill’s play-ground, if the mandated areas* are transferred to the Colonial Office’s control. The ‘Tall Mall Gazette” says Hon W. Churchill will preside over a significant development of the Imperial system, betokening the emancipation of the Dominion from tutelage, the demarcation of which, it will be Churchill ■ lot to carry out. It symbolises the goal of all our political ideals and the attainment of a stage where the community rests not on force, but upon enlightened voluntary adhesion.

THE ‘ TIMES” COMMENT

“ THE TIMES ” SERVICE

.'Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Jan 20. The ‘Times” in a leader, states there is no difficulty in seeing why Hon W. Churchill is going to the Colonial Office. For’many years the Colonial Office offered the doors of opportunity to British statesmen, but few liad imagination in them. There was ample scope in Churchill of energy, enterprise and imagination all of which are qualities rated high in the Dominions. If his heart is right, Churchill’s mistakes will be forgiven, the Dominions preferring energy to impetuosity to a dead hand, but the Minister should know more of the Dominions. The article .concludes by suggesting that the Minister should make flying visits. MUTUAL GREETINGS. PARIS, Jan 19. There has been a cordial exchange of greetings between 51. Briand and Hon Llovd George, stressing mutual confidence in the continuation of a most friendly collaboration. PRICE OIF ENGLISH COAL. LONDON, January 18. A crisis has arisen in the coal industry owing to a fall m cxpoit prices, which tumbled from S7s a ton in September to sns to 60s iu January. The coal owners say there is now a deficiency of £2,000,000 in the weekly pool of £18,000,000. It is expected this will be exhausted early in March. It then will he necessary to increase the prices of coal for home consumption r

The collapse of prices is largely due to the big American shipments to the, Continent during the strike, and to the fact that Americans are now releasing stocks at almost any price.

GER AI AN P ATRIOTISM

LONDON, January 18

Advices from Berlin, state that Ebert issued a manifesto on the occasion oi the fiftieth anniversary of the Empire, extolling the unity of the German tribes beAvailing the separation of compatriots particularly Austria, and adding that “despite the difference of political and economic views and the frontiers Avhicli divide us, the unity of the »~ r “lierland is an article of faith and an earnest hope of all.”

GERM A NY’S INDEMNITY

BERLIN, January 19

The. Government’s detailed statement oistimattts that 18,500,000,000 marks worth of material lias been surrendered to the Allies towards the first instalment of 20,000,000 marks for reparation. COAL EXPORT. ■ Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, January 19. Remarkable statistics are given of the British coal export trade. T t amounted last year to 28,563,000 tons of a value of £120,010,000 sterling. In 1919 it was 38,467,000 tons of a value if £92,298,000. In 1918 it was 26,688,000 tons of a value of £53,670,000. TERRITORIAL AIR FORCE. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, January 19. The “Evening News” states six territorial air force squadrons are being formed during the summer.

MACHINE TOOL TRADERS. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, January 19. The annual meeting of machine too! traders Association rejected, by a large majority, a motion prohibiting members of the Association dealing with German. PERSIAN CONDITIONS. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) . DELHI, January 19. An important meeting of Persian notables discussed the 'Persian situation. The Shah desired to hand over to Vali and to go to Europe, but agreed to remain if the Premier's resignation was withdrawn.