BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1921, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

'CABLE NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. PRICE OF COTTON. (Received This Raj' at 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, April 25. The firm of. Coates Ltd., have reduced the price of cotton hy one penny pei four hundred yards reel. RE-ELECTED. LONDON, April 25. Mr Kellaway was re-elected for Bedford. The polling was— Kelleway 14,397 - Riley (Labour) 9,731 M. BRIAND’S MISSION. (Received This Day at 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, April 25. M. Briand has returned to France. He expressed himself gratified at the result of his mission. RAILWAYMEN’S INTENTIONS. (Received This Day at 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, April 25. Addressing a meeting of miners at Lydeny, Mr Cramp declared that the raihvaymen intended to refuse to handle coal lying at colliery sidings. A SERIOUS FIRE. (Received Ttiis Day at 10.35 a.m.) LONDON, April 25. - A fire at tho pit head of North Rigg Colliery, Lenlithgowshire, cause unknown, resulted in damage amounting to £30,000 sterling. Edinburgh brigade, assisted hy naval ratings were * only able to save the engine house of the* power station. The pit will he unable to resume for a year. A FRENCH VIEW. (Received This Day at 10.35 a.m.' LONDON, April 21. The “Petit Parisien’s” Berlin correspondent states the proposals to President Harding are a compromise between the French demands and the German proposals at London, which were adopted in the hope of America advancing suggestions relating to finance. THE COAL CONFERENCE. (Received This Day at 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, April 25.

The Coal Conference considered the owners’ statement, in which proposals for a durable scheme stipulates that ’ wages should depend on the industry’s ability to pay, and that the coal fields be divided into an agreed area. Standard wages and standard profits should be the first charge on the industry. After,that the surplus should lie divided between the owners and men. Proposals for a temporary arrangement during the transition period suggest wages reductions for three months, which should lie uniform in each area, the owners taking no profits, if they result in a reduction of wages below the minimum fixed monthly. The statement suggests that Government should *4 fix the maximum in consultation with / both parties, Government where neoes--4k “ sary, to make a contribution in any area to prevent a reduction when the profits were absorbed for that purpose. After 31st July the wages paid should depend solely upon the ability to pay, the wages in August, which will be calculated on the basis of June results. KNOX PEACE RESOLUTION. (Received This Day at 10.40 a.m.) WASHINGTON, April 25. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee favourably reported on the Knox peace resolution, with only slight, formal changes.