BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1921, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. TIIE AFGHAN TREATY. LONDON, March 23 Answering Lord Sydenham, in the House of Lords, Lord Lytton said he believed the Bolsheviks were carrying on negotiations with the Afghan Government. We should require the terms of the Treaty to he disclosed. The British Government would then determine whether the Treaty was coiisistent with friendly relations we desired with the Amir. MAIL’S DELAY. LONDON, March 23 -Mails from the Ormonde which arrived at Toulon on Monday, will not be delivered before to-morrow. Business men complain at the delay preventing the reading of correspondence before the outward mail leaves. A DEPUTATION. CAIRO, March 23. Hon W. Churchill has agfeed to meet a Palestine deputation at Jerusalem on Monday. The deputation believing Hon Churchill supports Hon Samuel, will probably proceed to London.

SLUMP IN DIAMONDS.

LONDON, March 16

There has been a heavy slump in diamonds, and the traide is work inhalf time including the disabled soldiers who are being trained at the expense of the Government. The famous firm of Oppenheimers hold £1,300,000 worth of diamonds, and have sold only £2OOO worth during the last six months. FRUIT SHIPMENT FOR HOME. NELSON, March 23. The Athenic, which leaves Wellington on April 9th will begin loading apples on April stli, the first cargo leaving Nelson on the 4th. The space allotted to Nelson growers is very much less than they need, but the Secretary of the Fruit Council is endeavouring to have it increasew. For pears, on the other hand, the space is more than the space promised, and growers are asked to increase their supplies. GREEK ATTITUDE. ATHENS, March 24. ft is reported from Smyrna that the c Greek Commander there, in a proclamation to his troops, summons Them toattaek and crush the enemy. The newspapers declare an offensive has begun. THE BEECH AM ESTATE.

COMPULSORY WINDING UPLONDON, March 22. The compulsory winding up of Sir Thomas Beeeham’s estate has been ordered. Counsel for the petitioning creditors said that lie had met with nothing but obstruction from officials of the company. Their examination and that of Sir Thomas Beecliam was necessary to ascertain what had become of assets. Sir Thomas Beecham’s affi- > davit did not give bis address. A good many people would like to know where he was, as a receiving order had begn. made against him, therefore a compulsory order was necessary. JAPAN’S BUDGET. (Received This Day at 9.45 a.m.) TOKIO, March 25. The Diet lias adopted the Budget, to which tliev attached a resolution warning the nation that public discipline generally was deteriorating, through the growing difficulty? of making a living, due to Government maladministration. PACIFIC NAVAL MATTERS. (Received This Day at 9.45 a.m.) TOKIO, March 25. The Budget Committee of the House of Representatives brought up reports regarding United States concentration of naval power in the Pacific. An ipterpellator expressed the opinion that if the report was true it was the duty of the naval authorities to study a policy". Kato replied that the ruinour was not verified. There was every reason to believe it was groundless, but even if true, the position was of such a grave diplomatic that an important discussion would be undesirable. JAPAN’S WAR OFFICE. (Received This Day at 9.45 a.m.) TOKIO, March 24. The War Office has issued a statement that in accordance with last year’s declaration, Japan has decided to soon station troops at present maintained at Saghalicn, including Nikolaievich • and other important districts, in the hope of maintaining pence and order and restoring civil administration. Russian residents in the region have been requested to co-operate. •

the socialist debs. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, March 23. * The “Times” Washington correspondent states Debs, the Socialist candidate for the Presidency, is now serving a ten jear term for violation of the espionage law. He was permitted . to travel from Atlanta prison to Washington with Daugherty concerning a pardon. Debs came without a guard and. ■ returned the same way, having pledged his word of honour. This is the most unusual proceedings in the history of Federal prisons. CONGRESS PROMISES. • (Received This Day at 9.45 a.m.! NEW YORK, March 23. It is known a group of agitators will attempt, through speech during the coming session to influence Mr Harding to follow England's course regarding the Soviet. Others will ask for a resumption of trade relations with Russia, without any form of recognition of the Soviet Government. Mr Borah especially favours a resumption.