BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1921, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. PURCHASE OF AIRSHIPS. HOME, Sept. 2-1. Tlip Soviet lms bought two It.ihrm airships. They will shortly fly to Moscow, the Italians navigating them, and are remaining to instruct the Russian crew. AUTUMN SESSION. (Received This Day at 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 26 It is understood the Government does not intend holding a prolonged autumn session. It is not expected that Irish negotiations, even ii they proceed most favourably, are likely to reach a stage rendering a debate nec-es-sarv or possible by 18th October. l v iie Speaker informed Mr C'lynex that if legislation were found necessary to deal with the unemployment, a bill would not be ready before 18th October, therefore there was no advantage in assembling Parliament earlier. tVASHINGTOX CONFERENCE. QUESTION OF DELEGATION. ,Received This Day at 11.30 n.m.) LONDON. September 20.

The uncertainty as to who will represent [iritain at Washington, strengthens the case for tin- representation of the Dominions. The opinion prevailed when the Imperial Conference was in session that Hon. Lht,\d Gcotge and Lord Curzon would be Rritain’* delegates, giving to the Overseas Premiers a greater sense of security a ith regard to the handling of the Pacific question, from the fact that they «*>i e well primed with Overseas points of view and able to approach the Conference with first hand knowledge. Ihe statement that Hon. Lloyd George and Lord Curzon are unlikely to attend, derates a feeling in Anglo-Overseas circles, that their Pacific interests may not receive the same attention from a delegation acting on second hand information, and may be less adequately repieeented. In such circumstances it becomes imperative that something aftei the nature of a consultative body comprising members of-the Overseas Cabinets with full knowledge of their desires should attend at- Washington, to keep the British delegation in closest touch with their views. The fact that Portugal is invited to attend the Conference because of her interests in Mai ao is strongly contrasted with the exclusion of Canada. -Australia and New Zealand from direct representation, when their Pacific interests are of paramount importance to their existence. .

AMERICAN PACIFIC VIEWS. (Received This Day at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, September 2b. David Fell who recently visited New York and Washington, interviewed by the Australian Press, said when he discussed the Pacific with Mr Borah and other leaders at Washington, on the basis of a readjustment of the burden w Pacific defence, by common action, by United States. Britain and the Dominions it was pointed out that though all had an individual viewpoint, it was impossible for them to remain divided owing to the severe economic pressure compelling them to come together and co-operate, in the naval policing of the Pacific. Fell states the ..Senators whom met. favoured working for a reduction of America’s gigantic burden, by co-operation with the British Empire, instead of endeavouring to outbuild her: They were in foil sympathy with the British Dominions in the Pacific, whose interests we|re identical with their own, and whose people they like. AN INVENTOR’S CLAIM. (Received This Day at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, September 20. The inventor of the Temple Rockdrill claims he has perfected a too! similar to a pneumatic hammer, in which, by means of a noiseless, unreroiling explosion powiler. a seven-eighths inch drill ,-au he driven into a steel plate at angle degrees. CIVIL SERVANTS SQUEAL. (Received This Day at 12.25 p.m.) CAPETOWN. Sept. 20 Replying to a deputation of civil servants protesting against the withdrawal of the cost of living allowances. General Smuts declared the financial position was infinitely worse than in May last. That further taxation was not feasible and he was eomitelled to ask civil servants to share in the general sacrifices. SERBIA AND ALBANIA. CONFLICTING REPORTS. ,Received This Day at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 20. Contradictory reports are received regarding Serbo-Albanian hostilities. Albania!" advices state Albanians are heroically resisting the attacks oi the Serbian Army south of Mirdite. The enemv’s ohieetive is Larin mountain, commanding Tirana Plain and threatening the Albanian capital. feerhiati reports assort the Albanian reports of fighting are without Inundation, the object being to impress the League of Nations.

PII.SUn.SKI SHOT AT. PAH IS, Sept. 20 Advices from Galicia stiito a man fired three revolver slm'.s at Marshal Pilsildski, the Polish Chief of Stuff, hut missed Pilsudski and wounded a companion, Count Grahoski. The assailant was prevented from suiciding, and was arrested. | A FAMINE. (*tßeceived This flay at 12.20 p.tn.) STOCKHOLM, Septemher 20. All official report from Samara slates there is a terrible famine amoidi Tartars. Thousands arc dying and a catastro|.'hc is imminent unless food is sent quickly. JAPAN AND SERBIA. (Received Tliis Bay at 1.30 p.m.) TOKIO. Sept. 20 Delegates from the Par Pastern Republic are conferring with Japanese representatives, insisting that Japan fix a definite date for the withdrawal f troops from Siberia. Japanese however, contend that while Japan n disposed to evacuate Eastern Siberia she does not desire to make the with drawn] conditional upon a treaty witl the Far Eastern Republic. DAYLIGHT SAVING. (Received This Day at 1.30 p.m.) LONDON. Sept. 2(1 Official—Normal time will be restore, at 3 o’clock in the morning of 3r< October, when the clock will be pu book to two.