BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1922, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

IUST.IIAMAN AND N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION. POLITICAL QUIDNUNCS. LONDON, March 16. Lobbyists agree that Lord Derby’s refusal of the- offer of the Secretaryship of State for India destroys the last hope of-what some newspapers describe as the fast dying Coalition. Lobbyists anticipate Lloyd George’s early resignation.

NEUTRALS’ INTERESTS. COPENHAGEN, March 16. Representatives of Denmark, Holland, Norway, Spain and Switzerland 1 will meet at Stockholm on Saturday to discuss neutrals joint interests at Genoa Conference.

TELEPHONE MARVEL. SUVA. March 16

The wireless station on Wednesday night heard distinctly a telephone radio from Melbourne.

SULTAN’S MANIFESTO. CAIRO, March 16

The Sultan has written to the Premier:—God has graciously permitted the nttainment of Egypt’s independence at our hands. We are grateful to God and hereby announce to the world, Egypt’s independence and sovereignty. We have taken the title of King, in order to ensure the country’s dignity and international status, and hope to-day will inaugurate an era which will restore Egypt’s grandeur.

BARLEY AND BEER. LONDON, March 16. Barley is firmer, on reports of a possible reduction of the beer tax.

ATR MINISTRY LONDON, March 16

Mr Chamberlain in the Commons said the abolition of the Air Ministry would be ' fatal retrograde step. Governmentbad decided the air force firstly, must be autonomous in the matter of administration and education; secondly in the case of defence against air raids the navy and a rtny must play a secondary role; thirdly, in the case of military and naval operations the air foice must be in strict subordination to the general or admiral in supreme command.

.TAPS LEAVE SHANTUNG. TOKIO, March 17

Tt is announced that the Japanese evacuation of Shantung will begin on April Ist.

It is reported that the former vice Minister of Foreign Affairs M. Hanihara, will head the commission which will effect an agreement on the terms.

EGYPT’S FREEDOM. LONDON, March 16

Ambassadors and Ministers abroad have been instructed to inform the Foreign Governments to which they are attached of Egypt’s new status, and of the abandonment of the British Protectorate.

They also are' instructed, however, to point out that the maintenance c’ status quo and British special relations is to he continued by Britain until Egyp-t embodies the new status in a direct treaty with the Powers.

BAN KING AFPOINTM ENT. (Received Ibis Day at 3.30 a.m.) PARIS, March 17

It is reported M. C'ambon has resigned the presidency of the Ambassadors Conference, in favour id an important hanking appointment.

PRINCE AND JAPAN. ißeceived This Day ~t r* JO a.in.' TOKIO, Mare'.i 17

Japan’s preparations to entertain t’c Prince of Wales are complete. The welcome will he the most elaborate ever staged in Japan. Apart tram Court and official circles, the common people are keenly interested in ‘he Royal visitor. A special railway train with coaches designed and decorated by .Inpan’s foremost artists, will h-.' used for the Prince’s tour. Millions ot British flags arc being manufactured. Imperial palaces and other pain! s where the Prince will stay have been lavishly decorated.

SWEDISH CONTRACT. (Received This Day at 10.15 a.mA LONDON, March 17.

\s the result of inability to obtain in* England satisfactory financial terms and (fates, Argentine is negotiating with a Swedish firm to build ten naval vessels within three years. Hitherto all Argentina’s naval craft have been built in Britain.

FOOTBALL DISPUTE. LONDON, March 17. Northern Union footballers with whom members of the Players Union refused to play, have paid their suR scriptions to the Union. The latter therefore withdrew the resolution of refusal.