BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1921, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

|"BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION! SHOT HIMSELF. PARIS, April 17 Lieut-Commander William Hozier, brother-in-law or Hon W. Churchill, fatally shot himself in an hotel. It is reported as the result of financial trouble.

COST OF LIVING. WASHINGTON, April 17 President Harding asked the Federal Trade Commission to inform him whether the cost of living in the United States has declined. The Commission has reported that the cost of living is too high, arid must be reduced before a normal volume of trade will restore business to healthful conditions. ,

One fundamental factor in the cost of living, they state, is a shortage of houses, and another one is the excessive price charged for fuel, which limits the buying powers of the general public for other commodities. Any recent declines in the prices of raw materials have been uneven, and have not been adequately reflected in the final retail prices to the consumers. This is due, firstly, because high transportation rates are charged; and secondly, because prices have been fixed; and thirdly, because the retailers are unwilling to take any losses where they had bought goods at high prices. The report points out that the farmers are facing strongly-organised foreign purchasers of American agricultural products, and also stronglyorganised foreign sellers of the products that the American farmers need. RUSSIAN TRADING. WASHINGTON, April 17

Mr Hughes (United States Secretary of State), replying to Mr S. Gompers’ request for information regarding the trade potentialities of Russia pointed out that although the embargoes against Russia had long been cancelled, and Russia would be able freely to enter into trading with Europe arid America, the volume of such commerce would not be important. This, lie said, was due to Russia’s inability to pay for imports. The Bolshevik Commissary for Foreign Trade had placed orders totalling 500,000,000 dollars in Europe, the United States and Asia. The shipments however, had been negligible, because the Bolsheviks were unable to pay cash or to obtain credit. The Bolsheviks had not more than 175,000,000 dollars in gold in their possession. The expenditure of this amount would not have a pronounced effect on American trade and industry, but it would rob Russia of the hope of ever soundly reorganising its system of finance currency.

FRENCH REPUDIATE WRANGEL. PARIS, April 17 A French note has been sent to Wrangel, condemning his action. It was the outcome of his refusal to Accept the suggestions made lately regarding the disposal of his troops. The note accuses General Wrangel of ingratitude in the, face of France’s financial sacrifices, amounting to 200,000,000 francs. France in the Note refuses to continue feeding his troops, who are leading a life of idleness. France declares Wrangel’s actions are a violation of International Law. BOWLERS ARRIVE. LONDON April 16. The New Zealand bowlers’ team have arrived They are disappointed that there are no test fixtures arranged. They had expected to play England, Scotla'nd, Ireland and Wales. THE EX-KAISERIN. FUNERAL OBSEQUIES. (Received this day, at; 9.80 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, April 18. Only the ex-Kaiser, the ex-Crown Prince and other relatives and a few specially invited persons attended the ex-Kaiser’s funeral service held at the ex-Kaiser’s house at Dorn on Sunday night. The cortege left at 9.30 preceded and followed by cyclist police. Bells tolled and a thousand people assembled outside the House. The exKaiser wore a general’s uniform, the ex-Crown Prince, a Hussars. At Marst both entered a special! train conveying the body and stood in silence therein for some minutes, and then returned home. ANZAC DAY. LONDON, April 17. The Australian Red Cross have arranged to place a wreath on the cenotaph on Anzac Day inscribed: “In grateful memory, from the Australian Red Cross Society.”