BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1922, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

— lUBTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. BANK RATE; (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 16. The bank of England rate of discount has been reduced to four and-a-half per cemt. LANDRU’S CYNICISM. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) PARIS, Feb. 16. Landru, the French blue-beard, appears determined to maintain the grimmest cynicism to the last. The “Petit Journal” has received from Montreal a letter from a Frenchman who declares that he is informed reliably that Madame Heon, one of Landru’s alleged victims, was buried at Montreal a few moiiths ago. When th e letter was shown to Lafidni’s. courisel the latter replied:—“l shall be mystified to the last. Wiieri I last saw Landru in his cell I ihiplored hint to hide nothing

from me.” Landru replied:—“Very well, I will confess to absolutely everything. Sit down and listen. I took eleven women and burnt them with a. lighted candle, which did its work well.” The French Consul in Montreal has been ordered to certify the statement in the letter.

GENOA CONFERENCE. LONDON, Feb. 14. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Copenhagen correspondent sates: “Advices from Riga, assert that the Soviet’s tactics at the Genoa Conference will be in the direction of causing disagreements between tho other Powers. The Bolsheviks believe that there is a great chance of this as Russia. Has important joint interests with Germany.”

PRIEST ARRESTED

OTTAWA, Feb. 15

After a long investigation, the authorities at Montreal arrested and today arraigned Father Adelaird de Lorme, a Catholic priest, on a charge of murdering his half-brother Raoul, a college student. It is stated the priest obtained a 25,(XX) dollar life insurance policy. Tho half-brother disappeared, and several weeks ago was found dead. The insurance policy and will make tho priest the heir of the deceased. COURSING. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON,' February 16. Coursing—ln the Waterloo Purse first round Giph’s Pride beat Oriental Activity.

A PLEA FOR MIGRATION

(Received This Day at 8 30 a.m.) LONDON, February 16

Sir 'Arthur Stanley speaking at a luncheon welcoming McWhae, the new 'Victoria n Agent-Genera)!, commended the question of migration to his attention. Sir Stanley said the outer Dominions were empty , and Great Britain was overcrowded. These are conditions we must seek to adjust. He paid a tribute tro Ashbolt’s services in connection with the Imperial airships scheme, but without any delegation to this great project he thought migration the greater question. McWhae in replying said as Australians, they co*.ld not keep their great continent empty any longer. Thanks to the protection they enjoyed for 150 years they had been permitted to grow in wealth and by the White Australian policy they had kept the race pure. Australia must be in the future the home of Britain’s surplus population. McWhae referred to the splendid work done by the institution of savings banks in Australia. There could be no Socialism in a country where three millions of its inhabitants had savings tank accounts. He indicated that the irrigation of lands to be thrown open to British settlers, would absorb thousands. He was saddened to see thousands. of unemployed parading London and would do his utmost to make migration something worth while so far as Victoria was concerned.

WAGES CUT. LONDON, Feb. 16 The Transporters Conference rejected the proposed wages cuts, and have authorised the Negotiations Committee to endeavour to avoid a serious rupture. Another meeting with the employers is arranged for. KILMARNOCK SEAT. 'Received This Dav at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 16. Andrew Fisher has placed himself in the hands of the Labour Party as a candidate for the Kilmarnock seat. Fisher attends a meeting of two hundred delegates on Saturday, when the selection of a candidate will be dealt with. A COMPLETE AGREEMENT. UF.UTKK’S telegrams. (Received This Day at 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 16.

Conversations between lion. Lloyd George, Lord Cordon, and General Allen by led to a complete agreement regarding the policy to be pursued in Egypt, and a letter is to be presented to the Egyptian Government. RUSSIAN FAMINE RELIEF. STOCKHOLM, Feb. 16. Parliament lias voted a million kronen for the Russian famine reliel. TO KEEP ENGAGEMENT. [Received This Day at 1.30 p.m.) ROME, Feb. 16.

Premier Bonomi informed Parliament that Italy must keep its engagement with regard to the Genoa Conference. She will be ready for the Conference on the date fixed.