BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 January 1922, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. AMUNDSEN’S LATEST PLAN. NEW YORK, Jan 10. Captain Amundsen, the Polar explorer, has announced that he will shortly start on a five years’ trip, drifting over the roof of the world, from Alaska tq Norway. ' He expressed the opinion that the North Polar air currents affected the weather of all the world, and he will try especially to study these currents during the drifting, as well as the currents under the surface of the Polar ' Seos and ioe. / ! Captain Amundsen added: “Per- ; haps this knowledge will enable us to I prophecy the weather Of the world for a- long time in advance, in order that farm operations and other pursuits may be benefited.”' IMMIGRANTS FOR NEW ZEALAND LONDON, Jan. 9 The Government of New Zealand are dispatching more than 3000 emigrants to New Zealand from England within ! the next three weeks. These will inj cliule 200 domestic servants, j All the emigrants are nominated | ones, and are being guaranteed bousing and employment on arrival in New | Zealand. • ; 1 STATE STEAMERS, j LONDON, Jan 9. Shipping circles here are displaying curiosity regarding the. Indian High Commissioner’s action in employing 11 ex-enemy ships to convey cargo between England and India, j The venture shows that the Indian i Governmen have realised several millions of profit during the past few years. A definite decision regarding the retention of this shipping has not yet been reached, but shipping circles are apprehensive lest the venture will develop, like the Commonwealth Shipping Line, thus interferring with the Ship* ping Ring’s operations. ,

JAPAN AND CHINA. REUTER’S TELEGRAMS. ■ ' I ■ ' TOKIO, January 4. Cabinet accepts the submarine resolution and also decided that in view of the Chines financial situation and fact that the interest on the debt was already overdue and unpaid, Japan cannot concede the transfer of Shantung railway on a promise to pay, or on payment in cash, which is owed elsewhere. Jajian accedes to China’s desire to modify the loan terms for twelve years. Pekin reports state China’s Governments new counter proposals are much modified but are not yet accepted. China agrees to the dismantling of Vladivostock fortifications 'but continues to insist on the Japanese withdrawal from Saglulien, and refused navigation rights on the Amur. Japan states the Saghalien withdrawal without a settlement for Nikolaivesk massacre, is impossible.

, SOLAR ECLIPSE. LONDON, Jan. 9. Mr H. S. Jones, Chief Assistant at Greenwich Observatory, along with M. Meotte, the discoverer of Jupiter’s eight satellites will leave at the end of this month for Christmas Island to observe the eclipse of the £im in September. They will also carry out tests in regard to Einstem’s theory of relativity. There is a possibility that German and Dutch expeditions, accompanied by Professor Einstein, will also go.

THE AFRICAN STRIKE. (Reoeived This Day at 8.80 a.m.) CAPETOWN, Jan. 10 The gold mines are idle to-day, but the ederation provides for pumping, lighting, sanitation, and what are considered essential services. Members engaged in industries, other than tkose directly involved, are called upon to hold themselves in readiness to take sympathetic action, and the Government has warned the defence force to be ready to'turn out at an hour’s notice. A number of Dutch policemen have been brought from other districts. They refused to handle rifles, saying they were not soldiers. This was due to the fact that eighty per cent of the strikers are Dutchmen. The mineowners are retaining natives, numbering two hundred thousand, for a week, after which they will be repatriated, a.t the rate of 5000 weekly. The strike is costing the owners £200,000 weekly.

A LANDSLIDE. (Received This Day at 9.40 a.m.) ROME, Jan. ID A tremendous landslide occurred at Messina owing to heavy rains. Many houses were destroyed and 5000 people, seized with panic, fled from the city. LORD GREY RE-ENTERS POLITICS. CONDON, Jan 10. r Viscount Grey is definitely re-enter- | ing politics. He addresses a Liberal | meeting on the 23rd. | “FINALEY” DEAD. f TOKIO, Jain 10. Viscount Okuma, the Japanese states man finally died. For several days he was in a state of coma bo intensel Shat it was impossible to determine with certainty whether He lived Or was dead.