BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1923, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. NACRE PHOSPHATE. LONDON, Feb. 20. Replying to a question regarding the disposal of Nauru phosphate to Britain Major Barnston said that a contract for the disposal of the United Kingdom's share for 1921-22 had been given to an English fertiliser company, with a provision for limiting profits. It was understood that a considerable quantity remained in the company’s hands linsold. Consequently negotiations for a iiirlher contract for five years had failed. The piiee charged at present was 22d per unit ol phosphate. WIRELESS. LONDON, Feb. 18.

A consortium of wireless companies registered in Britain, France, Germany, ami Ihe United States, formed to organise communication among these countries and with the South American Republics, has called a conference to

discus-, the crisis due to the British Government's refusal to grant the Marconi Company a license for I lie erection rd a station 'll England. Mr Godfrey Isaacs, managing director of the Marconi Company, said that lie could not proceed with the project till he had interviewed members of the Government. All the stations except the British one had been erected Ihe British Government promised in 1920 to grant a license to the company. LONDON. Feb. 19.

Mr Roiiar Law, replying In a question in/tlie House ol ('ominous, said tlie matter of wireless ■ ominuniealions had been exhaustively considered by a sub-committee, and would now come before the Cahfnel. Ho hoped lo he able shot iI % to announce the Government's (loci don. V l( TOR lAN LOAN. Received this dav at 8.30 a.niA LONDON. Feh. 21. The Vicloriau five per coni loan of five millions wa.- i-se.od at 299 10s and has been iiiiderwritfen. FRENCH OFFICIAL VIEW. I Received this dav at W.'IO a.m.5 PARIS, Feb. 21. The •‘Echo d" Paris” stales official circles are greatly impressed by Mr L’omir Raw's reply to Mr Lloyd George, and satifaciion is expressed al the ma-j-irilv against the Liberal amendment' from' General Gm'h-y’s promotion is welcomed as a Fa 1 . Durable symptom. (O.MMUNDH POWER WANING. LONDON. Feb. 21 The "Times” Riga correspondentstales tlie crumbling process of the Communist- Parly is crut inning with increasing speed. Tin* rapidly growing influence of I lie workmen - irul li, and other opposition groups are reusing the central authorities grave anxiety. Hie prisons are over filled with arrested proletarians. Fifty per cent ol Retrograd's prisoners consist o! won men who struck, or threatened to - Irike, because overdue wages were not paid. Friends feed many, and about onethird are half starved. Cheka lias appealed lo the Soviet to evacuate Petro grad. The unemployed number 193,900. He stated their attitude is most defiant, undermining the Soviet’s authority and threatening unarmed with violence, declaring they are • indifferent whether they are shot, to-day or gradually and inevitably allowed to starve. During the recent tumult at the metal works in Vihurg a detachment ol the Red Arniv nftempted to disperse a mob. who with hands up advanced shouting, "‘For Christ’s sake shoot us. The soldiers refused. Petrograd Communist branch also appealed to Moscow to evacuate the unemployed.

POLISH FRONTIER TROUBLE. GENEVA, Feb. 21. In consequence of fighting on the Polish frontier Lithuania is seeking the immediate convocation of the Council ni the League of Nations.