BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1921, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAPH —I’RESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. PORTUGUESE POLITICS. LONDON, March 1 The “Times” Lisbon correspondent states an extraordinary situation has developed through Machado’s inability to form a Government owing to class parties demanding sectional representation. It is now believed lie will elect his colleagues without consulting party interests. /

FEEDING THE CHILDREN

IIEUTEII’s TELEGRAMS

LONDON, March 2

in the Commons, Mr Ivelleway stated that British institutions were feeding a quarter of a million children daily in Central Europe. He Vas informed that the American relief administration was feedipg 2'i million children and other American organisations feeding further numbers.

GERMANY AND AUSTRALIA

LONDON, March 2

The Australian Clearing House is dealing with German claims against Australian firms in London, and has approved of 231 clams to date, amounting to £11,148. Contrarywise Australian firms in London have submitted 70 claims against Germany amounting, to £83,737, of which the German Clearing House has approved of claims amounting t<i £721.

WELSH COAL FOR N.Z. LONDON, March 2. The Neagles New Zealand coal contract has been transferred to the High Commissioner, who is arranging on behalf of the Government, with leading shipping firms, to undertake transport C.I.F. It is anticipated that the contract for 15(1 thousand tons of the best Welsh admiralty screened coal will be signed to-morrow. Sir J. Allen expects to effect a saving of many thousands on the new coutract.

THE REVOLT AT FLORENCE. LONDON, March 2. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Milan correspondent states that as a result of three days’ conflicts at Florence and elsewhere, about 20 were killed and over a hundred seriously wounded. Between four and five hundred were arrested. The outbreak at Florence was an insurrection with a revolutionary purpose, secretly prepared by the Communist agitators. The Government’s strong action suppressed the rising. NAVAL SUPREMACY. LONDON, March 2 Sir Jas Craig, replying to a question in the House of Commons, saul that by 1924 Britain would have only one ship, United States 18, and Japan 8, embodying the lessons learned by the war; while by 192} the number would be one, 18; and 13 respectively. He could *ot say what the relative strength of toe three navies in 1924-25 would be. QUEENSI.AND’S FINANCE. LONDON, March 2 Mi Hunter (Queensland Agent) dealing with the statement that Queensland interest was overdue on Tuesday, explains that according to the ChilagoeEtheridge Purchase Act, the Queensland Government contracted to dishcarge certain debentures valued at 225 thousand on March Ist by the payment to Edward Haneourt Mitchell, barrister, of Melbourne, as trustee for the bond holders. The Queensland Government has complied with that provision. Therefore payments in London are not required despite the allegations of London financial papers.

an election result. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDQN, March 3. Captain Gees victory at Woolwich lias aroused the greatest interest LaboiVr thoroughy expected to have, an easy win. The “Daily Herald” on polling day confidently predicted a smashing victory Seventy four per cent of the electorate voted. Gee began lite in a workhouse and became an omnibus conductor and served twenty nine years in the Army, climbing from the ranks to a'staff position and Commission on the field at Gallipoli. He received the Victoria Cross at Cambrai. NEW STEAMER LINE. UNITED SERVICE TELEGRAMS. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, March 2. Holts are organising a service from Hamburg to Australia via Cape, calling at Glasgow, with the first sailing in March-

| CHURCHILL OFF TO CAIRO. ' { REUTER’S TELEGRAMS. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) | LONDON, March 2. Hon W. Churchill has left London for Cairo, accompanied by Trenduud, and Colonel Lawrence. i [ A RUMOR, j (Received This Day at 10.40 a.m.) ! LONDON, March 3. A well founded rumour that Hon ' Amery becomes Parliamentary .Financial Secretary to the Admiralty, is not confirmed. Nothing is settled yet. Mr Amery remains at the Colonial Office, , certainly until Hon Churchill returns from Egypt. 1 ' COMPLIMENTARY. (Received This Day at 9.45 a.m.' WASHINGTON, March 2. Tim House of Representatives Committee of investigation of the Shipping Board admitted many glaring inefficiencies existed and points out in a final report that considering the programme as a whole the accomplishment in the number of ships constructed and time in which ships were completed constituted tho most remarkable achievement | of ship-building work that has over been Been.