BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1921, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. ; ’ NEW DOCKS. ! * CALCUTTA, February 2. ' The Duke of Connaught laid tfeu foundation of King George’s dock, which will cover an area of 190 acres, providing berthing accommodation for thirtyfive additional xessels. The work began last year and will take six years to complete. HOUSING SHORTAGE. REUTER’S TELEGRAMS. LONDON, February 2. That the bousing dilemma applies not only to Britain is revealed by a world survey, issued by the Housing department, of the Health Ministry, which states Canada’s shortage is fifty . thousand, Switzerland’s 35,000, Norway 20,000. Australia, New Zealand ,-yul South Africa are- also affected, but : not to the same extent. Italy, Sweden, and Holland have taken national action to meet the shortage. Tn United States , a shortage of two million dwellings produced a serious situation, especially in i New York.

A NAVAL MISHAP. WASHINGTON, Feb. 2. A pilot ship, the Philadelphia, rammed a submarine LI near Philadelphia. The crew was saved, however, and the vessel was beached in a damaged condition. MAILS DELAYED. LONDON, Feb 2. Business men are complaining at the delay in connection with mails carried by Orient steamers from Australia, instancing the Orvieto’s mails, which only arrived in London on Sunday, and were not completely delivered this afternoon. The Post Office informs the Australian Press Association that Orient mails necessarily occupy one or frequently two days more than the Peninsular, owing to the Oreint Line’s use of Toulon, instead of Marseilles. The resumption of transhipments at Italian ports is impossible in view of the coal and railway position, though the Italian ■Government is eagerly seeking t.ie renewal of the former contract. On the other hand, the Peninsular Company gains 24 and sometimes 48 hours, through the use of their own Limited Indian express from Marseilles. The Post Office has requested the Orient Company to use Marseilles, where, though unable to regularly catch the Peninulnr Limited, it could always obtain a more rapid through transit of mails to London. The Orient Company, which lias omitted Marseilles as a port of call for ten years, is unwilling to resume calling there, on the ground that it is an unsafe port in bad weather. 4 The Orient Company emphasises the past delay and risks nj; -.inrseilles, but the shipping and business circles scout the danger. Tr. view of the Peninular Company’s experience the Orient Company declares it is not prepared to renew Marseilles as a port of call merely, in order to counteract the French railway deficiencies, and it emphasises the necessity of the Post Office pressing France to arrange to attach mail conches to expresses from Toulon to M arse dies. Tt is impossible for the mail fleets at present to resume the pre-war •weekly service, but minimum fortnightly services, with occasional intermediaries have been arranged.

AUSTRALIA’S DEBTS. ARRANGEMENT IN ENGLAND. ■ • LONDON, Feb. 2. ! Senator Milieu has completed an agreement with Mr • Austen Chamberl lain for the finding of £90,000,000 out tof the Commonwealth’s indebtedness. | This includes war loans and military | debts. The lending is for periods ranging from 26 to 37 years. The interest will range from 3} to 5 1 per cent, plus 1 per cent, sinking 1 fund. | Senator Millen, in an interview by 1 the Australian Press Association, said | that he was satisfied at the results of his mission to Europe including those : at the Geneva League of Nations conference, and also regarding the Commonwealth loan funding, the Commonwealth indebtedness, and immigration. ; At Geneva, be said, mandates were obI iained which protected Australian j interest in mandated territory, while I measures had been taken to secure a 1 more equitable distribution of the costs of the League of Nations, under which Australia would benefit substantially.

The Commonwealth loan was satisfactory, in view of market conditions. Regarding the Commonwealth’s indebtedness to the British Government, an agreement had been completed with the British Treasury, which, he was confident, Australia would regard as eminently satisfactory. Briefly, it relieved the Commonwealth of any immediate cash payments, while the funding of principal debts aggregated to over £90,000,000, and included a mimlier of borrowings obtained in earlier periods. There was an organisation as to immigration practically settled on the lines of an understanding between the Commonwealth and the States. This scheme would become operative at a few days

notice. The Empire Parliamentary Association entertained Senator Millen to luncheon in the House of Commons. Lord Milner presided, and proposed the toast of Senator Millen. Others present were, Mr Balfour, Colonel Amerj, Mr Bock, Lord Burnham, Lord Emmott, Lord Lincolnshire, General Seely, Mr Owen Phillips, and Sir Joseph Ward. touct ung Trench tribute. LONDON, Feb. 2. The foundation stone of the memorial to King Edward’s Horse was laid at Pielle Chappelle, pas de Calais. The French authorities attended, and theie was a touching consecration ceremony, a choir of village children singing “God Save the King.” As Colonel James recited the Last Roll Call, the children acclaimed each name with “Mort sur le champ d’hounour.”