BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1921, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. A FINANCIERS VIr.WS. (Received This Day at 9.5 a.tn.) LONDON, November 30. Sir George Paish speaking at the National Liberal Club said the present reparation scheme is impossible. He suggested tbe League of Nations should summon a conference of bankers and financial experts of the world. He declared the statesmen bad been afraid to admit bow they had misled the people into imagining unlimited sums could be drawn from Germany. The British people had now realised this was impossible. Unfortunately France was still living in a fool’s paradise. Germany could not make even the reduced payments fixed at the Spa Conference. If as a result of non-payment the Allies occupied Ruhr and seized Germany’s customs and controlled her finances, it would lead to the destruction not only of Germany, but of ourselves and the whole world. Germany could not make any payment until Europe was restored. Then she could make moderate payments. Formerly ho had believed she could not pay more than fifty milions sterling yearly. Now he believed she could pay one hundred millions which, reasonably capitalized would provide France with a thousand millions which were adequate to restore the devastated areas, but this entailed the restoration of Germany’s markets, and her readmission to the Society of Nations.

BOXING. I Received This Dnv at 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, November 30. Cook who is going easy to avoid staleness, is in blooming health, and will begin vigorous work at the proper time A FRENCH STRONG STAND. (Received This Dnv at 10.15 fl.ni.l LONDON, November 29. Tbe Paris correspondent reports that so far France refuses absolutely to consider the hypothesis for the postponement of reparations, and will persist in the refusal unless it can, l>e clearly shown that international credit operations will give creditors a full equivalent for what the suspension of payments has taken from them. The French point out they are the largest creditors and deserve some consideration. If payment of instalments due will increase the deficit in the German budget, the non-payment will make wider the gulf which it was meant such payment should bridge in the French budget.

DAILY MAIL VIEW. 'Received This Dnv at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON. November 29. The “Daily .Mail” in a loader, says the postponement of the German reparation instalments "ill cause a heavy deficit in the Briti-h Budget Modifications ma v result in a lteiiefil. to British trade, but experts must decide whether the taxpayers loss in one direction will he made up increased revenue receipts in another.

LLOYD GEORGE'S INTENTIONS. LONDON, November 30. 'J’he “Pall Mall” Gazette, usually regarded as representing the Premier’s viewpoint, states Hon. Lloyd George is preparing to take a lead in proposing a new financial policy including an entire revision ol the reparations, and provisions of the Treaty of Versailles in order to re-establish the world’s markets '.including Germany. He hopes when iit Washington, to take up the whole question of the world’s indebted-

FRENCH CRITICISMS. .Received This Dav at 10.16 a.m.) PARIS. Nov 30. French newspapers cuniinu* their eriticisms of Hon l.loyd George’s diplomatic offensive. Ihe “Matin says his programme is already partly known to the French Government, which is carcfullv examining it to see if the interests „f France are harmfully affected. The “Matin” adds il was mi Dabei lion's suggestion that l.loyd George drew up the plan. The former considers the Allies must accord a certain moratorium. Ihe first condition is tlie re-establishment of the equilibrium of the German Budget. The French Government, asks for new guarantee's before file question oi the postponement of payments is even considered. and inclines to the establishment of a commission at Berlin to control German finances, as the only adequate guarantee. It is regrettable that Britain and Germany should negotiate in the absence ol France. tlu* principal creditor.

FRENCH PRESS COMMENT. ' Received This Day at D. 10 a.m.) PARIS, Nov an. The newspaper “Eclair” blames the British policy for anarchy in Eastern Russia, disorder in Central Europe and Germany’s resistance to tlu* Allies’ demands. The paper says it is high time i lie British people were made to see their interests are identical with France's. There is grave danger of the present trend oi aflairs ending in worldwide Bolshevism. The “Louvre" comments severely eii what it describes as the financial ultimatum from Britain to 1* ranee.

CON.I EGA I. RIGHTS, tßeceived This Dav at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, Nov 30. Gladys Cooper ,tho actress, was grunted a decree of restitution of conjugal rights against her husband. Captain Jliickrnnstor. A DIVORCE APPEAL. (Received This Day at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 30. The Court of Appeal upheld tlu* appeal by Miss Richardson, against tlu* Divorce Court decision, tlint slu was guilty of misconduct with Blither ford in tlie ease cabled on l-lth lutie The Master ol Roles stated the Bond thought the decree then granted shouh nut he made absolute pending argu as to the effect of the piesen decision, upon tlu* issue ol adiiltciv.

GOVERNMENT OK LONDON. 'Received This Dav at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, Nov 30. London County Council has adopted a scheme for submission to a Royal Commission on the Government <>t Greater London. The scheme providet for absorbing iurtTier areas in the Counties eoiitingiions to the present London area. Incidentally the London County Council will disappear, and the Government of the new area will he vested in a central authority, which will delegate certain powers to the preI sent local authorities.