BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1921, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

AT7BTHAMAN AND N.Z. CAIILF. ASSOCIATION. REDUCING THE NAVY. LONDON, Nov. 17 The “Evening News” says drastic cuts in the personnel on till decks is foreshadowed by the British Admiralty in response to the Treasury’s invitation to suggest economies. It is proposed that eighty naval captains, and two hundred coinmnnders shall he retired early next year on pension. The ages of tiie officers affected vary front JS to 7,0. It is understood the Treasury has accepted the recommendation. The reduction docs not imply that more ships will he immediately taken out of commission. If, however, the Washington ( (inference agrees to cease building there will he a further curtailment oT personnel. Liettls as well as officers of higher rank, to the number of four hundred may he retired as well as lnige numbers of lower deckers. It is expected the officers will find little difficulty in securing employment. The Admiralty is considering plans to prevent a slump in armament and shipbuilding in the event of a naval pact being alia aged.

SIEGE AT ODESSA. HELSINGFORS, November 17. •\ state of siege has been proclaimed at Odessa. Trotski has issued nu order that the whole population of the. rebellious lists in the Ukraine shall be shot.

Snngns nr Towssuxn rails LONDON, November 18,

Tin' death is announced of the Afarquis of Townshend from angina pectoris The Marchioness was present at his death. It recalls, their famous lunaev case six montlA* after their marriage. She was Glady Sntherst. Another romantic, episode was the Filth of a son to them in Alay of 1916. Ptoviouslv General Townshend whs heir to a peerage.

GERMAN EOC)D RIOTS. (Received. This Day at 9.-10 a.in.) BERLIN, Nov. 18. The food situation is increasing In seriousness. Foreigners profiting, b> the exchange position are buying up stocks, resulting in soaring prices and acute shortage in many districts. Incmplnyed rioted ill several parts ot the city and plundered shops. The police frustrated a rioters attempt to capture Jt(shtcnherg Town Hall.

WHITE LEAD I’M.TT 'Kec eived This Day at t.i. Id a. in.) GENEVA. Nov. 18. After a long dehat-e. the White Eead Covinioission evolved a new convention eiubraeiug Ercnch amendments. ’lbis pnihi 1 nts the use of white lead in painting inside buildings, but provides for outside work. The convention will operate from 1927. A. two-thirds nuie jnritv at the I’lenniy (’onferenee i:- neiessaiv to confirm the couvaiit-inn.

A FRENCH SENSATION. tßoeeiveal This Dav at 10.15 a.m.) PARIS. Nov. is. A cablegram from ,Melbourne to the “.Matin” announcing French Now Hebrides Societies oiler to sell enneessious to Australia for half a million sidling lias created a sensation in Colonial diplomatic circles. The -‘Matin'' declares if Britain buys the Company's land she will become the virtual mistress of New Caledonia Archipelago Olid France will be evicted from the Pacific. The FrcUe!i Government :s studying the question.

OKRM.VX IWYMKXTS. (Received This Day at P. 5 a.m.)

PAlilS. Nov. !

Germany paid forty-live million gold niaiks, eoi respondinog with German eu.-toins receipts. Hum 15iiT October to lllli November. The next payment i- due mi the Ist December and amounts to eighty-live million gold marks, due in regaid to monty-six per cent levy on Germany exports.

ABLE TO RAY. (Received Tins Dav at. 10.15 a.m.) HEREIN. N,,v. 18

Sir John Bradbury seni a note to tlie Chancellor on heliall' of tlie Reparations t'otiiuiission, stating Germany can, and niusi pay. The ( ominission decided nut- to allow conditions ot payment to !>e changed. Germany is rich in icsourecs, Wiiili all her factories busy, and she is in a position to obtain the tiw ee-snrv erediis provided all her acfcivc lo ecus work together, and ibe stability of Government is sufficient to engender enidiilenee in t lie fulfilment of Gd - iiunv’s t»lions.