BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1921, Page 1

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

ITJfITRULMN and N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. WORLD’S SHIPPING. LLOYD’S LATEST REPORT. LONDON, July 18 “Lloyd’s Register of Shipping” shows that the world’s tonnage in iron and steel ships now totals 54,217,000 tons, as compared with 42.514,000. in June of 1914.

Thu United Kingdom has 18,288,000 tons, compared with 18,877,000 in 1914. The United States has now 12,314,000 tons, as compared with only 1,837,000 in 1914.

Germany lias now only 654,000 tons, compared with 5,098,000 in 1914. Japan’s tonnage is 3,003,000, compared with 1,642,000 tons in 1914. The number of vessels fitted with internal combustion engines has increased from 290 to 1447, these aggregating 1,263,000 tons. The number of vessels using oil fuel for their boilers lias increased from 1,304 to 2,536,' these aggregating 12,797,000 tons. The Register records the names of 33,206 vessels, aggregating 61,974,653 gross tonnage.

LONDON METAL PRICES

LONDON, July 18

Copper is <inoted: Spot £7O 11s 3d. £23 7s 6d ami £23 ss: spelter £26 5s and U 27; tin £164 12s 0d and £166 17s (id ; silver 37 3-8 pence.

THE JAPANESE DELEGATION

LONDON, July 18

Ten members of the Japanese Diet, including M. Tanaka, member tor Tokovo, arrived in London after visiting America. Their mission is to study the changes brought about by the wai and endeavour to strengthen the bonds of unity lie twee n Britain and Japan. Later they will visit France find Belgium, mid on return to Japan will present a special report on the ijuestion of armaments reduction, also stating their views on measures necessary for the establishment of international peace. M. Tanaka interviewed, declared that if Britain, America.’and Japan would combine and keep faith, there would he no more wars. Japanese popular opinion in favour of disarmament was growing daily.

RIFLE SHOOTING. LONDON, July 18 General Dean has entered for the King’s Prize. Rifleman Vernall represents New Zealand.

HOAIE MONEY MARKET. LONDON, July 18. The Australian Press Association understands that thp British Treasury will not allow any new issues of trustee stocks-like Colonial loans—for the next two months. This is in order to prevent any competition u’ tho money market with the Imperial Treasury- Bonds. Of these, the Government wants to sell three hundred millions worth. At present they are not going off very well.

LEAGUE OF NATIONS

LONDON, July 18

In tho House of Commons, TTon A. J. Balfour replying to a question said he did not think it necessary to make representation to the League of Na tions -in favour of suspending the Learie’s activities regarding disarmament. and the Pacific questions. The League would doubtless, when dealing with disarmament, have regarding for fcho importance of the Washington Conference.

DAVIS CUP. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) PARIS, July 18. The' finish of the Davis Clip siuglei was postponed till to-morrow owing to rain. FRICK OF WHEAT. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON July 19. The commission reduced the official pri(S' of Australian wheat by sixpence per quarter.

DROUGHT IN FRANCE. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 19

The most serious drought continues in Western Europe. The rivers of France and Belgium are at the lowest levels iccorded for fifty years. Crops are suffering so severely that disaster is threatened in some ditricts. Water for man and cattle is being carried miles. Mountain torrents in Switzerland are not one third of their usual volume. Many slopes are bare of snow.

DROUGHT TN BRITAIN

LONDON, July 19

The drought in Britain has now lasted eighty-six days, though there havo been occasional light rainstorms in some districts. Tho general record for heat and drought eclipses all recent droughts such as that of 1911, when it lasted twenty-four days and 1893 when it lasted thirty days. Many holiday makers, instead of walking in the day time are tramping through the night to avoid the heat. At lenst a dozen bathing fatalities have been announced to date.

MARCONT’S LATEST. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 18

Mr Marconi announces a new- device for receiving wireless telegrams, enabling the continuous sending of messages from United States, despite atmospheric disturbances throughout, tho whole twenty-four hours and at a high speed.