BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 October 1921, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

tUSTIIAI.IAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. 1,1.0 YD GEORGE’S REFUSAL. LONDON, Oct. 3. Considerable pressure is being used to induce Mr Lloyd George to reconsider his decision not to go to the Washington Conference. It is pointed out that it will he possible for bint to preside at the opening sessions of tbe Irish Conference, and afterwards proceed to America. t BELGIAN TARIFF RISE. BRUSSELS, Oet. 2 The Belgian Cabinet have Decided to submit a Bill for a protective tarifi against Germany. The Bill provides a maximum and a minimum tariff. The latter is to be applied to countries whose exchange rate is at par. INFLUENZA IN ISLANDS. SUVA, Oct. 3. The Solomon Islands report that there are 252 eases of influenza there. One ease is pneumonic. One death has occurred. Ocean Island reports there are Jo) cases there, but the disease is mild. No deaths are 'yet recorded. LATEST EGYPTIAN RISING. CAIRO, Oct. 3. Vt Xvala the British garrison has been reinforced. There is no cause for the slightest anxiety. It transpires that the insurgent leader wounded, hut lie escaped. ROUND THE WORLD. LONDON, Oct. 3. Sir Keith Smith, interviewed by tho ‘ Daily News.” said he hoped he and his brother would begin their proposed round-the-world flight in the summer of 1922. Their plans and arrangements were not completed, and the route and machine had not been decided on. Besides the route via Siam, which followed their Australian flight, three others were possible, viz.’ I’irstly, one via Northern Japan, where there weiv difficulties train Heating ice; secondly, across the Pacific t* Honolulu and Son Francisco, which would involve thousands of miles of a (light over the ocean ; thirdly, via the South Sea Islands to South America where there were had landings.

If the flight begins in the East, the Siam route would probably he chosen. A DIFFICULT SLUMP. LONDON, October 3. In connection w ith the South Wales coal mine owners’ .recent deputation to the Mines Department regarding the dispute as to the miners’ wages percentage out ot profits (cabled September; 291. Sir William Pleader has given a ruling on the subject. This is to the effect that the coal owners must surrender the nett aggregate profits realised during August, and also that they cannot carry forward any deficiencies in the standard profits against the future profit surpluses. The owners antiepate that their probable deficit for September will ha £600,000.

The position of the owners and the men is one of the gravest character. Goal is not now in demand, except- at prices representing losses of 6- to 7 - pe r ton. Present prices, it is claimed, do not leave enough to pay even the standard wages for 1921. The workers are therefore faced with the hardship of wqges, the face value of which is only 10 to 20 per cent, above the level of 1914. INVENTOR’S DEATH. LONDON, Oct. 3. The death is recorded of Sir William Garforts, the inventor of a method of extinguishing eoal dust gaseous explosions in mines, as well as of lifesaving apparatus.