BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1923, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. WIRELESS STATIONS. LONDON, March 8. Mr Ormsliy Gore replying to a question in the Commons, said the issue of licenses to Crown Colonics for the erection of wireless stations capable of direct communication, with Britain would ho ultimately under the British Government’s authority. The issue of similar licenses to the. Dominions laid down by tho respective Dominion governments. IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. LONDON. March 8. Tho Colonial Office states the delay in bolding an Imperial Economy Conference was entirely flue to circumstances beyond either the Dominions or Britain’s control, notably tin elections in Australia and New Zealand, and South Africa, and impending general election in Newfoundland. This explanation was necessary, because newspaper cable.' from Australia indicates Australia is impatient over the delays. Mr Bouar Lai', within a fortnight after the British elections communicated with the Dominions requesting their views upon the proposal to hold an Economic Conferei.ee in April, preceding the Imperial Conference in June. 'I lie Dominions' replies revealed the impossibility ut carrying out the programme which was now changed to a period between September and November, when it was proposed to bold both Conlerences concurrent ly. It is suggested that economic ’ experts meet simultaneously with the Premier . thereby shortening the proceedings.

MOI'SK OF LOR D.-s. LONDON. .March 8. fu tie. House ~f Lords. Lord Curzoii said the Government intended to introduct 1 legislation to give cllect to tic recommendations of tho I’oval Commission on honours. PBOPORTIONAL VOTING. LONDON. March s. Mr Roberts in the Commons, pointing out that the successful candidate in Mitcham fivc-elcction only obtained thirty-eight per cent, of the votes polled, asked Mr .Monar Law if be would introduce proportional representation before the general election. Air Bonar Law replied : “1 am nut prepared to adopt the .suggestion. Air Roberts. — liaien't you a fellow feeling for members returned by u minority of voters. Mr Bouar Law did not reply . The l’rinte Alinisler has accepted Hill’s resignation. CABINET CHANGES. LONDON. .March 8. It is ollivia 11v announced that Mr Neville Chamberlain lie. nines -Minister of Health, and Sir .Jnynson Hicks Postmaster General. SALVAGE OFFER. LONDON. -March S. A Swedish Engineering Company lias olfered to salvage a million' worth ol bullion sunk aboard the si. smer Egypt in Mav last year. Sir Frederick Voting, who .superintended the raising of the Vindictive and Oceania .declares twenty iathoms i- the utmost depth from which vessels can j now he. raised, whereas the Egypt lies in s ixty-five fathoms deep. BRITISH NAVAL ESTIMATES. LONDON. March 8. The Vary estimates total sixty-one millions lor 1922-23 and ninety-two millions for 1921-22. a reduction ui tlnrtvthree per cent, over two years. Hon A tilery's explanatory statement says to ~ VP ,y ..rent extent the administrative economies were effected by a reduction of reserves and postponement ol all. but the most indispeiisilde new requirements. Economies are only made possible bv a general easing oil oi nn\rd competition, which it is hoped will result from the Washington Agreement. AYc do not propose to lay down any new ships in 1923-24. but a small sum is taken for preparatory work on submarines for construction m The strengthening of the fleet m Mediterranean waters, temporarily necessitated bv the Near Eastern crisis, mat become a desirable permanent measii. e. The political value of naval limes ■ ployed in the Aledi tern,-,can ... tU nas't year and during Die protiaet.d Turkish negotiations, needed emphiDming. They i-layed a consuleiabL 1in tho maintenance oi peace. It • * longer possible to dock the in Far Eastern waters. Any ix of Hoim Kong dock are precluded ’> the terms of the Washington agreer e,.t Accordingly it has been deeded }'„ proceed gradually with the development of the naval huso at Mngapoi .

IT \ LIA NS ATTACK fi-D. ROME, March 8. Maltreatment of 17 worUm f n aml a priest on route for Belgium, by crowd at Ttosenheiin. m l PP el ' Vlir in who thought they wore going to the Ruhr, has led to vigorous action |>v Premier Alussohni. who has tele graphically instructed the Italian - mhassador at Berlin ami the Ra n Consul at. Munich strongly to protest against the attack. He demands the exemplary banishment of the i mgk a ers and compensation for victims. Senior Mussolini’s note adds:- !0 now Ttajv will not permit maltreatment of her subject, hut ".11 defend them whatever the consequences. LLOYD GEORGE. LONDON. March 8. Air 1 loyd George has annoutieed that the National Liberals have abandoned the idea of a Centre Party. He considers that no Liberal, as a condition for a reunion of the Liberals, should be asked to change his opinion regarding the policy of tlic late Coalition governments from 1915 to 1922. M> Edinburgh speech,” lie says, “was a reply to urgent representations that were received by Air Asquith and by myself from all parts of the countryin favour of a Liberal reunion. My earlier offer, to confer with the leader of the Independent Liberals, met with no response, hut, as I repeated it i« still open.” electoral REFORM. LONDON. March 8.

Tlic House of Commons refused leave to Mr Chappell to introduce a Bill providing for an alternative vote in Parliamentary elections. CAPE BYE-ELECTION. CAPETOWN. March 8.

The Government suffered defeat atth«. by-election at Ondtslioorn. which was captured by Nationalists by a substantial majority. BANKRUPT ROUND OVER. LONDON, March 8.

The chairman of the London sessions holding that, there was no element of fraud, hound over Buckler (an Australian actor) on the charge of obtaining credit without disclosing the fact of his bankruptcy. Buckler was acquitted on the charge of false pretences.