BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1922, Page 1

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

<\ PPHAL DISMISSED. I/ON DON, March 6. In the Black case cabled on February 2nd, the appeal was dismissed. TRADE WITH RUSSIA. PARIS. March 6. The “Matin” says experts reporting regarding the resumption of trade with Russia, consider there should not he conditions imposing economic radical changes a'nd social economic legislation, because such a course is hunfiliating to the Soviet. A mixed tribunal of Russians and others would suffice. LORD NORTH'CLIFFE AND JAPAN LONDON, March 5. Lord Xortbclifl’e in an interview, referring to Japan, said: “I formed the view that the legend of Japan is exaggerated. Tine Japanese are inclined to think they have beaten the white race, but in reality they have failed. They very considerably over-rate their own powers. They are essentially initiative, but do not originate. Tt takes a good many more Japs to perform tasks that a limited number of Europeans would do. Ido not think our people realise Japan’s absolute autocracy, with its toy Parliament, and its strangled newspapers. Japan lias been too much of a liogev to Europe and America. The decision of the Washington Con fk re nee, 'which the Japanese intensely disliked, will prevent them encroaching on China, but constant vigilance is needed. Japanese aggression in China was largely the consequence of the unfortunate Anglo-Ja-panese Alliance, now happily terminated.

ATJSTTIALrAN AND N.Z. CAULS) ASSOCIATION. NILE WATER SHORTAGE. LONDON ,March 5. The “Morning Post’s” Cairo correspondent says a, grave feature of the situaion is th e serious water shortage. The Nile is worse than in 1914, which was a record. Up the river gauges suggest the water, aided by the Assouan dam, would suffice for ordinary summer crops, but there is no surplus for summer rice. As last yeas cotton crop was very small, the situation is doubly serious. The new Cabinet is in a- difficult position, as a majority of the Egyptians are unable to understand the necessity for conserving the water, and will be sure to resist regulations which are unpopular.

ROYAL BETROTHAL. COPENHAGEN, March 5

Their Danish Majesties announce the betrothal at Cannes of their eldest son, the Crown Prince Frederick, to the IS-year-old Princess Olga, eldest daughter of Prince Nicholas of Greece and the Grand Duchess Helena of Vladimirovna.

CARPENTTER’S INCOME. PARIS, March 5. The French authorities have orderei Georges Carpentier, the boxer, to pa; 615,000 income tax.

DICKEN’S LETTERS. LONDON, March 6

A valuable collection of Dickon’s letters, written to W. P. Frith, has been presented to the Victoria Museum )y Frith’s daughters

ENGINEERS TROUBLE

LONDON. March 6,

Mr. Brownlee has urgently appealed to the Prime Minister to intervene anent the Engineer’s lock-out. He

points out that besides one million engineers directly affected, seven million other workers are involved in suffering.

HOUSE OF LORDS

LONDON, March G

The Daily Express understands that when the report of the Committee on privileges in favour of Peeresses sitting in the House of Lords is discussed, the report will he rejected immediately. A majority is said to be opposed to women sitting in the Lords, and for this reason it is felt the innovation should be held over until the reform of the Chamber has been disposed of.