MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1922, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. CANADA’S NAVY. OTTAWA, May 17. Government announces that the Canadian Navy Will consist of the destroyers Patriot, Patrician, two smaller vesseds and four trawlers evenly divided on the Atlantic and Pacific Coast, as training siiips for volunteer sailors on a part time briisis. The cruiser Aurora and two submarines wilt he paid off', pursuant to the policy of economy and the decision of Washington Conference. The Opposition blocked the passage of naval estimates, following the announcement of tlie Government’s policy, which Mr Meigiicll said falls short of the moral obligation as an integral part of the Empire. Parliament accepted Britain’s gift of ships and consented to their maintenance. Premier King said the Government was carrying out Sir A\ . Laurier’si naval policy of a volunteer nvy, available to the British Admiralty in nn emergency. The lute Government accepted ships which Britain would have scrapped, but which cost Canada 21 millions annually. .Mr King consented to an adjournment of the debate.

AMERICA’S ATTITUDE. WASHINGTON. May 17. A White House official said to-day although on the surface it may seem ns if U.S. entirely refused to co-operate with European Powers, the truth is the America,n Government is not only ready, but anxious to participate in a Conference on Russian affairs. It is understood definitely that Air Harding is ready to send representatives to The Hague or anywhere else, to discuss the Russian question, and that if the Powers will modify the proposals and remove the features objectionable to this, country, American co-operation can he assured. Air Harding feels the door is open for American help, and wants that clearly understood. Both Air Hard ing and Air Hughes believe much can ho accomplished if the Russian question is treated as an economic matter, and if Russians will respect private rights and property, and thus afford a basis for economic dealings with other nations. The American replv is intended as a piece of moral suasion, it being hoped the Powers will he able to persuade the Russians that the giving of Amereian help will lie seriously considered in Washington, just as soon as an economic basis can he achieved, which will warrant United States in extending ils hand. This-accounts for the speed with which the American reply was despatched. The Powers at Genoa were expected to use the American Note as the medium for further negotiations with the Russians.

EX-EM PRESS ZITA. PARIS. May 17

The Allied Ambassadors’ Conference decided to permit the ex-Empress Zita of Austria to reside in Spain. . BIG FARMERS’ LOAN. LONDON, May 17. The National Farmers’ Union is {icelcing a Government loan of £10,000,000. They have appointed a deputation to see Colonel Amory regarding the Dominions’ demand for men with exjiodi-. cnee in agriculture.

BIG SWINDLE ALLEGED. LONDON, May 17

Charles Lawson, (whose arrest was cabled on May 11) and who is 4.5 years" of ai>e, was charged with obtaining £25,0(10 from David K. Hull By means of trickery.

The prosecution stated Hall met Macanallv, another member of the Lawson gang who claimed to he a Most Australian squatter during a voyage irom Australia ill May 1010. Hall was induced to go to Alfred Dean's flat, where lie lost C8.70-I sterling to l.awson and Dean in 2,0 minutes, without any idea there was anything wrong". Later he lost money in a betting deal.

Hall gave evidence that he bail dealt in cattle and horses in Australian and Now Zealand. He came to England to buv cattle for the New Zealand Govern-

lilt'll t. Maeaully, Doan r.ml !>nl:!< , y have already Imen sentenced to live years. I.ORI) NORTiSOI.II'TK. (Roeeiveil this day at 0.00 a.m.) LONDON, .May IS. |.onl NorthelillVat a luncheon given hint hv tile Anslriilian and New Zealand ( lull 111 ilntel (Vi il. made interesting references In the Japanese question." After alluding to the fact Unit Australia had no arsenals, he 1 added that our little hrown friends are gettine nearer and nearer Australia. Am. person who goes to Japan and realises the true position of the remarkable ..rowtli of population will understand that Australia, which is practically empty .is in very great danger. A nstraliaiis tell me “We will keep t.iein out.” Australia keeps them out because she lias the protection ol the I>HLisli fleet. Can Americans and ('anadinns keep them out. 1 mil Nor hehlle thundered “No.” British (Vlumhia and Honolulu are alive with Japanese. He regarded Japanese as the Germans of llielhist, with a propaganda lor spying mul emigration all over the worm. They have covetous eves on the Commonwealth and Dominions. lord Nm'tn,.|i||V criticised the immigration scheme. 11 is easv to put men in ships at lul.i,rv and land llieni at l’erth. S.v'lney or Melhourne. “Anywhere except No! til Queensland,” hut there are no preparations to receive him when he nrrnes. such as in Canada, where the Canadian Pacific railwav made wonderful preparations for their reception, lienee the number of people who return from Australia. There' is-"all alarming number returning. This should ho stopped. Kvervone who returns to their native village in Kngland is the worst advertisement Australia can have.

I RTS IT N KGOTT ATTONS. LONDON 1 , May IT. A breakdown lias occurred in o'° peace negotiations, due To The antitreatyites insisting on maintaining tlio present strength of their representation in the Bail Eireann, and their refusal of the Pro-Treaty Party’s offer to representalon on the basis of six to four. LONDON, May 18. Mr do Valera, Bpealsing in the Patf