BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1921, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

4WTRAUMN AND N,Z * CABLE ASSOCIATION

LATE LABOUR LEADER

LONDON, June 9. At Poplar Church, where the body of Will Crooks lily, there were touching scenes witnessed. An unceasing procession of all classes filed past the bier, over which guards of fellow workers kept continuous vigil. ACCELERATING MAIL SERVICES. LONDON, June 9. Tile “Tirnfes” says the prospect for the inter-working of seacraft with aircraft for the purpose of speeding up Empire transport, especially mails, will be considered by the Shipping Committee which is advising the Imperial Conference. The plan suggests that liners carry swift aeroplanes callable of ascending from the ships with mails when within distance of the destination and alighting at the aerodromes convenient to rapid train transport.

COMMERCE CONFERENCE

LONDON, June 9 A meeting of the British Imperial Council of Commerce arranged the next triennal congress of Empire Chambers at London in 1923 Lor Derby was elected President till then.

RUSSIAN RECONSTRUCTION

BERLIN, June 9 The “Tageblatt” states certain British and German industrial interests .have concluded agreements to develop trade and exploit resources in Russia. , This is the result of negotiations conducted bv M. Krassin when in Berlin recently with Hugo Stinnes. The paper adds that a systematic reconstruction of Russia be undertaken m close touch with Russian delegates. Lenin will reconstruct his Government on a coalition basis. imperialconference. LONDON, June 10. The “Daily Telegraph,” discussing the constitutional limitations of the Imperial Conference says: There is no Parliament or electorate to whom the Conference can be made answerable. It is hardly possible to apportion the precise responsibility, for though •>> Dominion Premiers are consulted and give confidential information, ihe Executive’s authority remains with the British Ministry, which is subject to- the control of the House of Commons. Iho machinery for joint action regardsnaval defence, foreign policy and mtorImperial trade is loose and clumsy It ought to be amended, provided that such amendment does not abiidgc tlu rights of local self-determination, which the overseas communities will not abandon.

NAVAL ARMAMENTS. PARIS, June 8

The Government’s naval programme includes the 'laying down this year o! three scout cruisers, each costing 70,000,000 francs; six destroyers, twelve submarines each of 1100 tons. The uncompleted battleship “Bearin’’ will be converted into an aeroplane carrier. The total naval expenditure is estimated at 755,000,000 francs to be spread over three years. The “Echo de Paris” says—By her naval construction, Japan in effect regulates the American fleet. By renewing the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, Britain might indirectly prevent the naval rivalry tending to separate her from both countries, owing to the crushing fiscal burden which rivalry entails. Although America is arming not only against Japan being determined to keep her flag in a foremost place all over the world it is equally true that a renewal of the Alliance will lessen the expected clasiT in the Pacific .

MASSEY AND AVOOL PROFITS.

LONDON, June 9. * The “Daily Telegraph’s” correspondent states: “Serious friction has arisen between Mr Massey and the Home Government authorities over New Zealand claims for wool. Mr Massey, interviewed by the “Daily Telegraph,” gave the whole facts, adding: “New Zealand producers are only asking what is reasonable. They claim that the Imperial Government proposals are not carrying out the spirit of the agreement. I must say I agree with them; but I know nothing of serious friction. Throughout the war period, the business relations of the two Governments have been of the pleasantest character. I am confident this difficulty will Tie settled satisfactorily.” ,

HEIR. FOR THE AMEER. DELHI, June 9. A son and heir of the Ameer of Af~ i ghanistan has been born. There is i great rejoicing at Kabul. INDIAN, BANK TROUBLE. DELHI, June 9. The shareholders in the Tata Bank < finally passed the accounts. The Indian section denied that there was racial prejudice against the English • rectors, but they claimed that Indians must fill the responsible positions. W. M. HUGHES AND HIS CRITICS. LONDON, June 9 to the comment made in Australia on the alleged statements by him about a renewal of the Anglo- Japanese Treaty, Mr Hughes says the criticism is based on something he did not say. He says he lias made no statement to the press on the matter in England. PLOT IN SCANDINAVIAN REVOLT. LONDON, June 9. A “Bolshevik” plot has been discovered, six Finns and Swedes being arrested, and the aim of the conspiracy being a simultaneous revolt in northern Sweden, Norway and Finland. A coup was planned against the Swedish fortress at Boden. Oother arrests are expected. MT. EVEREST EXPEDITION. June 9. Dr Kellas, a member of the Mount Everest exploration expedition, died suddenly of heart failure.