BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1921, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAPH — PRESS A3S.V, COPYRIGHT. A BIG FIRE. ANTWERP February 20. A great- timber fire at' the docks damaged warehouses to the extent of seven million francs. ITALIAN DESIRES. ROME, Feb. 20. Several members of tlie Foreign Affairs Committee advocate that Italians sohuJd obtain further compensations for war sacrifices by economic concessions in German colonies. THE CHINESE FAMINE. PEKIN, February 20. The famine continues in China, hut the situation is improving, most sufferers being assured against starvation by grain stocks at relief stations, which the entire famine district can reach at- a crucial period. When spring comes the weakened people, will take up work on the land, which, however, is heavily mortgaged, and they will be without farm animals. The wintelr wheat crops are a boon, being generally excellent, and there is another boon in that no epidemic, save the usual occasional typhus cases, has occurred. Relief funds available total ten million dollars, and it is estimated that seven millions more will be required.

FREIGHTS FALLING. LONDON. February 29. As instancing the fall in freights the Chamber of Shipping quotes the fact that in 12 months certain charters dropped from 255. per ton during 1920 to 10s. in December, and 7s 6d., last month.

| INDEMNITY CONFERENCE, j DELEGATES ARRIVE. LONDON, February 20. | The- French and Italian delegations to the Reparations Conference have arrived in London. I A Parliamentary discussion takes ■ place at Downing Street to-day. JA PA NESE POLITICS. TOKIO, February 20. A motion of want of confidence in the Government was defeated in the House of Representatives by 259 to 141. The session was extremely turbulent, police reserves being held both within and without the Diet building, The galleries have been crowded evensitting, many women being present. The visitors hooted speakers on both benches many arrests were made. Outside popular meetings were held in several parks, all demanding the immediate resignation of the Government.

Opposition speakers in Diet declared the Government was never thinking of the people, but always of maintaining the Ministerial Party. A Government supporter deemed the policy of the Government was always justifiable although its results were not always satisfactory.