BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1921, Page 1

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

4USTHALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. SURPLUS WAR MATERIAL. LONDON, Aug. IH. Tlk> report of the Sub-committee on Pul,lie Accounts was issued to-day. It sn\s that it is clearly a serious matter that warships should be given away without the consent of Parliament. "We note,” says the report, “that tho Encounter, with its guns and stores, together witli three mine-sweeping sloops, valued at £73,000 each, and two submarine engines with spares, were all given to Australia ; and also two A class submarines to Canada. From the Army accounts we find that surplus nonmarketable stores, valued at £2,000,000 when new, were handed over to Poland gratis, with the Treasury’s sanction. Seventeen millions’ worth ot stores, in addition to cash amounting to £0,500,0(H) were similarly given to Russia, also 50 surplus aeroplanes were given to Greece.” The committee adds: "No doubt during the war it may not always have been possible to obtain Parliamentary sanction, but the whole of the. above gifts were made long alter the atmistice. INDIA’S STATUS. LONDON, Aug. 15 Sir K. Montagu, Secretary of State for India, interviewed by the “Daily Telegraph” on the subject of Indians status in the Empire, said Mr Sastri at the outset of the conference emphasised the point that the subject was one of I,timing anxiety io the Indians. A resolution passed by the conference recognised the Indians’ rights to citizenship. We should pay special tribute to Messrs Hughes, Massey and Meighon f„r tlicir ready acceptance of India an a sister commonwealth to Australia, New Zealand and Canada and for the Imperial outlook which marked their speeches and actions. ENGLAND’S COAL EXPORT. LONDON, Aug. H> In the House of Commons, Mr Mitchell Thompson stated that the coal exports from Rritain in duly amounted to Sir, 300 tolls. This shows over 1,100,000 tons decline compared with the 2,000,000 ,„„s exported it. March last. The average monthly export in 1013 " as (1.01)0.000 tons a year. BRITISH CENSUS. LONDON, Aug. Hi. It is estimated that the cost of the recent census in the United Kingdom was £500,000. I.K WILE OF XA T lONS DEI MU AT KS. LONDON, Aug. Hi |„ Parliament Mr Lloyd George, replying to a question, said that he mis nliable to give the names of the Australian and Canadian representatives for the League of Nations’ meeting. South Africa would he represented by Mr Walton (High Commissioner) and India by Messrs Hutch, Sastri and Meyer. Britain would be represented |,y Lord Robert Cecil and Professor Gilbert Murray. BRITISH GENERAL FLECTION. EXPECTED THIS YEAR. LONDON, Aug. Hi Mr Egerton P. Woke, the national agent of the Labour Party, is resigning from his candidacy for Harrow. He Rocs so on the ground of the increasing responsibilities of his position as National Election Agent for Labour. M.r Wake writes: “Wo anticipate a general election within a few months. For which we are trying to obtain ->OO Labour candidates. We intend to organise the greatest attempt so far made by Labour to capture political pm^'. another missing ship. HOBART, Aug. 16. Hi view of recent stormy weather, nnxietv is felt for the safety of the schooner Thuraka, formerly the Yatata. She is now 37 days out from Dunedin to Hobart in ballast. FIRE UNDER CONTROL. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 16. The fire on board the steamer Saxon is under control and is confined to the blinkers. STEADIER BOUGHT. • (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) HONDO N, August 16. The Canadian Pacific steamship Company has acquired the Hamburg-Ameri-ca's twenty one thousand ton steamer Tirpitz Thev have converted her info an oil-burner and re-christened ker Empress of China. She will be employed in the Vancouver-Japan-China trade.

ENGLISH LICENSING BT»L. LONDON, Aug. 16. The House of Lords has passed the Licensing Bill promoted by the Government.