BRITISH AND FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1922, Page 2

BRITISH AND FOREIGN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN-AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. BRITISH EMPIRE LEAGUE. LONDON, July 22. Mr Winston Churchill, Secretary' for the Colonies, has become vice-president of the British Empire League. BRITISH AIR FORCES. LONDON, July 24. The ‘ Pall Mall Gazette” states: ‘‘The British Air Ministry has decided to extend, the Air Force, by the establishment of a Territorial Reserve Force of pilots and mechanics. This force will ensure a large supply of men skilled in flying up-to-date machines. - This resolve will place Britain in an unrivalled position in the event of another war. “ The Air Ministry is also granting 2,500 commissions, with an age limit of 25 years, and a term of service of four years. In addition to their pay while training, the men of the reserve will have an annua] grant of £3O apiece. Six thousand aircraft mechanics will also be recruited. The “Pall Mall Gazette” adds:

“ No country in the world has such an air force reserve.”

FRENCH WAR DEBTS.

LONDON, July 24

Sir Robert Horne (Chancellor) in the House of Commons, said the British Government lias made no offer to France to excuse her from her war debts to Britain on condition that German reparations are reduced.

THE CHANNEL COLLISION. LONDON, July 24.

The steamer Marengo has reached Hull in a badly damaged state. Her plates were smashed in her collision with the Remuera. Her- forepeak is full of water. She was only saved after the collision by her bulkheads holding, CALL FOR BRITISH COAL. LONDON, July 24. The British coal market is most active through the receipt of American orders owing to tlie coal miners’ strike. Steamers carrying 150,000 tons have already been chartered, and inquiries are still pouring in. Unless the American dispute ends, orders for British coal arc likely to reach 2,000.000 tons monthly. ‘ PRINTERS’ STRIKE. LONDON, July 24. The newspaper printers’ strike in the North has resulted iri the suspension of several neivspapers, while others (ire appearing in reduced size, partly linotype and partly typewritten sheets reproduced in process blocks. SAVED FROM DROWNING. PARIS, July 24. While acting in a flood scene for a film play, Flora Bebriton, riding in a coach through the Beaulieu Lake, narrowly escaped from drowning. Carpentier. the famous boxer, plunged in and rescued the actress, whose peril causi'd panic among a crowd of onlookers. BRITISH EMBARGO. LONDON, July 24.

In the House of Commons, Mr William Shiuv moved a resolution demanding the removal of the embargo upon the importation of Canadian cattle. He declared that only the trusts favoured the maintenance of the embargo'. It was all “eyewash” to say this embargo was needed to protect the herds! from disease.

Mr Asquith said that he could not understand How anyone reading the proceedings of the Imperial Conference of 1917 could seriously maintain that we were not in honour hound to redeem the pledge to remove the embargo as speedily as possible. Mr Griffith Roscawen denied that any pledge was given. He said that the value of British live stock was now three hundred millions. The question was were we prepared to take risks. It was not only a question of immunity f,f disease' but the maintenance of the puritv of tlie breeds. The agricultural experts, he said, regarded the removal of the embargo as a retrograde step. The Government were considering the point.. Continuing the debase Mr Griffith Bosc-nwen said the agitation against tlie embargo was for cheaper meat. Ho\t on earth, he asked, could 200,000 Cs’Uj adian store cattle yearly (only two ana a half tier cent of the country’s consumption) materially affect the prices. , , Mr Churchill said he supported the removal of the embargo, even ’.f B ‘amazes British agriculture. He voul l do so on the ground that Britain could not riff rd to break faith with the Dominions. . Air Shaw’s motion was carried by 247 votes to 171. The debate although a non-party one. assumed importance.

EGYPT WRECK ENQUIRY’. LONDON, July 24. An inquiry lias been opened regarding the loss of the liner Egypt en May 21st. The Solicitor-General, <n behalf of the Board of Trade, said that the chief question was as to whether there had been confusion, and if so. what had been the causes. The native crew had crowded some of the boats at an early stage. It was clear that some aJd perhaps many of the natives were in a state of terror, and. did not know where to find their life-jackets. The behaviour of the crew calls for careful consideration. Sir Frank Notley (Marine Superintendent) gave evidence that the Lascars in the crew were trained in boat drill and bulk-liead door closing in case of emergency. They were quite as good as British seamen.. “I have seen in many tight corners, and cannot wish for better seamen than Lascars or Goanese.” Captain Ramm, the-Peninsular Company’s assistant dock superintendent, said the LascarS were as good seamen as the Europeans, but in an emergency he would prefer to have the falls of the lifeboats in the hands of white men. Captain Ramm added that the Lascars could stand the heat better,. and were more suited for the work than British seamen. EGYPTIAN PRINCESS ELOPES. PARIS, July 23. Princess Mich, daughter of the exKhedive, eloped with the ox-Vizier. Atmel Dilal ed Din, taking a fortune ana jewellery'worth several million francs. BOTTOMLEY’S STOCK SOLD. LONDON, July 24. Horatio Bottomfev's blood ® t .°B k horses fetched 1805 guineas, the highest price being realised by Nareesn (6.50 guineas). A Manx Crag colt with had forelegs fetched half a guinea.