BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 February 1921, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. SKILLED WORKERS OBJECT. LONDON, Feb. 3. The secretary of the Building Trade Operatives Federation says that the Coalition Government’s dilution of labour scheme has been rejected by the unions by the large majority of 310,000 votes against 2600. The secretary also states that there are 64,000 builders’ workmen in England unemployed. Therefore the proposed absorption of ex-service men in the unions as workers is impossible. Tlic secretary ■ adds that the supply of labour is already quite ample to meet all requirements with proper organisation. He suggests that those who are unemployed should be maintained, according to the Labour Party’s programme, from the fortunes that have been amassed by tile war profiteers.

B RIT A IN’S UNEMPLOYED. LONDON, Feb. 6. The Ministry of Labour has stated at January 31 last the numbers of unemployed were: — Men 681,000 Women 274,000 Boys 45,000 Girls These unemployed are apart from the workers who only get in short time. JAPAN’S PACIFIC POLICY. TOKIO, February 4. in the Diet, the Oppositionist, Mochizuki, demanded information from the Government during a debate, on the difference existing between Jaoan and Britain, relative: to the administration of the ex-German islands in the Pacific south of the equators. He referred to Count Uchida’s recent statement to the Diet that (Britain sought to maintain that the Versailles Treaty clause guaranteeing adherence to the principle or equal opportunity in mandated districts does not apply to] the South Sea Islands, Japan took 'be •contrary view. She tentatively, however, had accepted the British theory, while reserving the right to later resume the negotiations and to insist upon Japanese rights in' the islanls wherever Britain has been given a mandate.

FORMOSA WILL SEEK FREEDOM. TOKIO. February ,4. Rinkjemdo, a prominent Formosan, speaking at a public meeting here*, declared on his honour, that Formosa was threatened with disturbances as serious as those that have occurred against the Japanese rule in Korea. The Formosans, lie said believed ’hat the Japanese were attempting to enslave them. Rinkemdo lias presented a petition to the Japanese Diet, asking for ! he reorganising of the Japanese administration in Formosa. ALLIED FINANCE. LONDON, Feb 5. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Austen Chamberlain, speaking at Birmingham, said they would have preferred that at the end of the war if the whole international debt of the Allies and the Associated Powers had been wiped out, enabling all to commence with a clean slate. There was no proposal for a settlement of the International debts among the Allied and associated powers, whether, for total or partial remission, to which Britain Vas j not prepared to be a party. They had made such proposals, but they were not acceptable to America. It would he beneath their dignity to make them again, and render their motives liable to a misconception. They bad sought no international advantages for themselves. They had proposed a solution by which they should have foregone larger claims than those that would have been remitted to them. They had proposed it in the interests of good relations among peoples, and for a restoration' of international trade. Their great external debt was due to obligations undertaken on behalf -of their Allies.

POULTRY TRADE. LONDON, Fob. 4. 'Flic exported dried eggs from China which are good for cooking, are selling widely in England. Experts suggest that Australia should develop a similar industry. The first world poultry conference at The Hague in September is open to any accredited Government delegates. Delegates from Britain, Belgium, (Canada, Denmark, Switzerland and the United hates are attending.

DUKE IN INDIA. DELHI, Feb. 4. The Duke of Connaught’s state carriage, for the arrival ceremony, ' has reached here in a damaged state. It was damaged by fire on route. The cause of the tire is not known. ASIATIC BOLSHEVIKS. DELHI, February 3. A force of Russian?, supposed to be Bolshevik remnants, are assisting the Chinese Tartars in plundering the Northern Fibet. It is reported that there has been a sacking at Taldiuri, containing the Dalai Lama’s State Bank. FEDERAL BORROWING. LONDON, Bebruary 4. Subscriptions to the Commonwealth loan are coming in satisfactorily. The list closes on Monday.