BRITISH AND FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1922, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN ITEMS.

[BY TELEGIUMI— PER PBEBS ASSOCIATION!

! SEAMEN’S TROUBLE. LONDON, March 9. The Seamen's* Union official pointed out the British Union had had a most amicable reciprocal arrangement with the Australian union for many years, 1 Australian seamen automatically oe--1 coming members of the British Un’ou on arrival here and British seamen being similarly transferred when they reached Australia. It was only sinci the Extremists had taken over control of the Australian union that the complete harmonious reciprocity had be vi lessened. Australian seamen apparent- j !v based their claim permanently to man the Commonwealth’s new steamers on the serious unemployment among Australian seamen but the latter was incomparable with the position here where sixty thousand seamen were un employed through ships being laid up. It should he remembered that the Br - tislv union over a long period including good and bad times, had never made similar demands with icgard to manning any foreign ships arriving here. On the contrary the Union always heartily welcomed into its union seamen from the American continent and Australia under a world-wide reciprocal arrangement. Moreover it was the British Un- ; ion which led the way in improving the ; lot of seamen throughout the world. ; Havelock Wilson is now attending a conference at Paris. When he returns . next week ho will confer with the Commonwealth Lino management regarding the whole position. ■ THE BIG FLY. 1 LONDON, March 9. j The Australian press learns that ar- j raingements are proceeding satisfae- | torily for Sir Boss Smith’s flight round ; the world which is expected to begin in j April. | THE SUMMER TIME. | LONDON, March 9. j

The House of Lords read a second time a Bill permanently establishing summer time between the last Sunday in March and the first Sunday in October.

PARIS, March 9

The Chamber by 2G5 to 260, voted against the reimposition of summer time. An hour later the Chamber passed the summer time for ] 022 by 299 to 229.

LOCK-OUT DANGER

LONDON, March 10

The engineering trade dispute has undergone most dramatic developments. Early yesterday morning, the masters and men made an eleventh-hour attempt to avert a catastrophe, by calling on l)r Maenamara. The attempt failed.

Then a statement was issued confirming the deadlock, and stating * lock-out on Saturday was inevitable. The Unions then decided to issue a manifesto to the nation, setting out their caffe.

Other attempts made during the day were also abortive.

Late last night Mr Henderson conferred with Dr Maenamara, and after certain rapid negotiations a deputation of the men saw Dr .Maenamara with the result that a new conference of the masters and men will lie held today. The men’s manifesto lias been dropped, and there is souse hope the lock-out will he postponed, if not aviated.

U.S.A. REASONS FOR ABSTENTION WASHINGTON, March 10.

While tho United States will not participate officially in the Genoa Conference, it is likely that Mr Richard Washhorn (American Ambassador to Italy) will attend the conference as unofficial observer.

It was pointed out that t'e State Department’s note was not intended to preclude American participation in any effort to adjust the economic and financial conditions of Europe. The United States considered the exclusion of the German reparations Irani the agenda of the conference was a bar to its participation. Tiie U.S.A. administration believes that a period of tactful pressure is netossary before Europe realises that there can be no solution of European problems until certain fundamental questions are faded.

HOOLEY TRIAL

ALLEGED COTTON FRAUDS

LONDON, March 9

At the trial of Hooloy a.nd the others charged with him over alleged cotton share frauds (cabled on January 2bth) at Old Bailey, the prosecuting counsel, said Mr Fletcher, had purchased mills from a bankrupt firm, paying about £35,020. He then arranged with Dooley Fletcher and McDonald to float a company, Fletcher receiving £20,000 in (ash and £25,000 in shares. The purchasers made no attempt to work the mill, but used it to create shares and debentures, which the public were induced to buy by a pretence of a. dividend of 33 1-3 per cent, being earned and paid. It was a bogus dividend, paid from a bogus profit. Mr Lewis lost about £IOO,OOO in the deals with Hooley, £44,500 being in connection with the Jubilee shareholders. The dcfiieney in connection with the Jubilee was £129,000.

OLYMPIC GAMES. FARTS, March 9,

The Government has decided that the Parc Princess, near the Bois de Boulogne, shall be the site for the Olympic Games, and has granted 20,000,000 francs for the preparatory construction. Th e Municipality of Paris has granted an additional 10,000,000.

LONDON WOOL SALES. j LONDON, March 8. |

At the wool sale here there was a. much brighten tone than yesterday with wider competition. There was a, good selection of merino and choice sorts were distinctly harder. Medium and low fell somewhat. Crossbreds, mostly medium and low sorts, sold well at yesterday’s prices which were about on a. parity with February closing rates. Slipes met with a good demand from Yorkshire at full February closing rates. New Zealand E.D. fetched 41 and 40.