BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 March 1922, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

HUBTHALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. FRENCH BANK RATE REDUCED. PARIS, March 11.l 1 . The French Bank Rate 1 as been reduced from 5J- per cent to five per cent

BTG CHIMNEY STACK FALLS. LONDON, March 11

Tennants’ chimney stack at Glasgow, 380 feet high, in the works of Mrs Asquith’s father, which was once the highest chimney in the world collapsed, burying a number of steeplejacks who were engaged in demolishing it. Four were killed and two injured.

BIG U.S.A. CHAIM. WASHINGTON, March 11

Mr Roland Royden will he the American representative to the Allied F'nance Ministers’ conference at Paris. He has been instructed to make a formal demand that the cost of the American Army of cocupation be taken out of the German reparations payments. WASHINGTON, March 12.

The United States claim for the cost of maintaining its troops on the Rhine is 241 million dollars.

PARIS, March 1'

The American repartions claim l.np caused a disagreeable surprise. “T.e. Matin” says that if the United States insists, it will be the end o) Belgium’s priority and Franco’s e.xpectati >ns. Meanwhile .the Ministers have the Reparations Commission to formulate a. detailed plan for an international loan to Germany. The “Echo de Paris” regards such a loan as vain and useless, and thinks the Allies had better organise for repartions in kind, and raise money on the German customs and 'ndustrial dividends

.‘'Le Matin” reports Germany ha? intimated to the Reparations Comm is sion that owing to the low value tf the mark, she cannot continue the tenday payments fixed at Cannes. PARIS, March 11.

A communique shows that the total annual cost of the Reparations Commission is thirteen million gold marswhich Germany, Austria and Hung-.i are jointly paying.

PERSIAN OIL,

LONDON, March 1!

The House of Commons in 102)21 session authorised the payment ■ ■!' i call of £950,000 on the Governivou* holding of' shares in the Anglo-Per- 1 ' n Oil Company. Sir F. Banbury aml others criticised the suggestion. Tl.<"' said the shares should bo sold now. and they would realise a good mho, and the Government would make n profit. Mr Hilton Young said: ‘‘lt was good business to pay the cn'i ’’ The Government had a most valuable asset. .Sir Owen Phillips stippo'* -■'! the Government and point \1 out H o world's oil "as controlled by f.>.>i people, of whom three were foreigners Were they going to allow the British navy to he controlled by foreigners?

ALLIES GERMAN FINANCE. (Received This Dav at rf n.rn.) PARIS, March II

British, French, Belgian and Italian Finance Ministers have concluded an agreement, under which they cut out Germany’s payments for ti c armies of occupation until Mav Ist. France receives 450 million francs, Belgium 102 million francs, and Britain two million sterling. Out of Germany’s payments in kind in 1922, France receives sixtyfive per cent. The signatories approved of the Wiesbaden agreement for three years, conditional on the deferred payments not exceeding 350 million marks in 1922, and 750 million marks in 1923 and 1921.

THE HONEYMOONERS. This Day at 8 a.m.) ROME, March 11

Princess Mary and Lord Lascelles have arrived at Florence. They were greeted by a large crowd outside the station. English women threw bunches of violets into the motor car.

ENG IN BERING I .OCK-OFT, (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, March 12

The engineering lock-out has begun. Employers arc allowing other unions covering general workers in the engineering trade, until the 23rd to take a ballot. If tlsey reject the terms, lockout notices will immediately apply to them. There is a hopeful feeling that the lock-out will not last long, especially if the general workers accept tide terms, which it is considered most probable they will do.

GREEK CABINET RESIGNS. (Received This Day at„B a.m.) ATHENS, March 12

Government has resigned, aftei the Chamber rejected a vote of coiilidonde.

AMERICAN CLAIMS. .Received Tins Day at 8 a.m.) PARIS, March 12

France considers that America is fully entitled to payment for maintenance of the American army of occupation. but contends as Amfe-rica is not a party to the Treaty of Versailles, and signed a separate treaty with Germany, she should deal direct with Germany regarding payment. The Allies allotment among themselves of monies from Germany arises under the conventions, in accordance with the Treaty ol \ ersailles. Thte American note emphasises •die will create no difficulties regarding the practical details of payment, provided the Allies give an assurance of payment.

A WORLD FLY. united service telecrams. (Received This Day at 8 SO n.mA LONDON, March 11. Sir Ross-Sn.ith is making preparations for his world’s flight. He hopes to commence on 24th April. Of U.e various Mesopotamia, Persian & ul£ ’ ’ China. Japan, Kamchatka, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Canada, Newfoundland across the Atlantic direct or via Azores, is probably the best. Smith is a- - ranging for approximately five hundred mile stages. The flying time is estimated at 280 hours, but the total tune oceupied will bo three or four months.

T |, e indications are for southerly winds, moderate to strong prevailing. Expect changeable and showery wither The barometer has a falling tendency. Sens rough j tides good swell.