BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 March 1923, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. LONDON, March 9 The Colonial Office is still without any communications from the Dominions, definitely agreeing to the suggested date for Imperial Economic Conferences between September and November. Although Australia and New Zealand communications imply concurrence, it is now authoritatively stated that the opinion is growing that the Imperial Conference possibly will be postponed until next- year, owing to the apparent impracticability of”securing a full attendance of Premiers this year.

One high authority lias pointed out that Mr Dollar Law’s original proposal contemplated au economic conteronco independently of the Imperial toiiterviice. Mr Dollar Law attaches the supremest importance to the Economic Conference, notably in its relation to i liter-imperial communication, atld transport, and to imperial customs tariH preierence. It is unofficially suggested that the Dominions might send their Finance Ministers and experts to an economic conference, whose recommendations would conic before the Imperial Conference not year, thereby obviating the attendance of the Prime Ministers this year.

FRENCH DU POET. PARIS, March 10 The French Chamber, by 315 to 243 votes, has decided that the Budget deficiency shall be met by the issue ot Treasury bonds. DISABLED TRAWLER. LONDON, March 10 Pats and seagulls as food were included in the ghastly adventures related when the crew of the Grimsby trawler Sergon, whose rescue was reported on March 2nd, arrived at Aberdeen to-dav. Her first adventure was to be chased by a Bolshevik gunboat. When escaping, she ran into a storm. The vessel was battered, and her endues broke down. Then she drifted into the ice. She was helpless for weeks. The men lived on fish, : ' ntl when their fish was exhausted, they made cake from linseed meal and olive oil, found in the medicine chest. When this became exhausted, they ate raw gull flesh. . , Afterwards starving, ferocious rats emerged from their holes seeking food. The men caught, killed, roasted, and •ite them. An outbreak ot dyseiiteij followed. The men then gave up hope but they were later rescued by a German trawler, and were towed to ' The men’s families waited all daylong at Grimsby to-day lor the arrival of the Sergon. They were disappointed when the news of the vessel s dc tent ion at Aberdeen was received.

INCOME TAX FRAUDS. LONDON, March 9 Four arrests have been made in connection with some sensational income lax frauds. It is alleged that the cased arranged with an inside Inland Revenue official for false rebates from income tax, amounting to many thousands. The police found a press foi the printing of dividend warrants. 11 SHIFTS A FORTNIGHT. ?&•£§/itoTio. Lanarkshire miners Imllotted in Savour of eleven shifts fortnightly instead of five weekly, which has been the rule for twenty years. WAIHI SHARES. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, March 10. Waihi shares are 20s lOd, to 27s Od.

IMPERIAL EXHIBITION. (Received this day at 8 a.mA LONDON, March 10. The management committee of the Empire Exhibition rejected an application to produce foreign films. Hie committee stipulated that both apparatus and films must be of Imperial manufacture and also of imperial subjects. The committee rejected Hong Kong's proposal to construct a typical Chinese village with Chinese restaurants. WORKHOUSE BURNT. LONDON, March 10. Armed men burned, down two wings of Delvin workhouse, afer giving tlw occupants ten minutes to clear out. VIADUCT BLOWN UP. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) .LONDON 1 ! Match 10. Bikers tow it viaduct on the TJtTndalk--oreenacre railway was blown up by a a land mine. The explosion was heard ten miles away. DOMINION’S REPAYMENT TO BRITAIN. LONDON, March 10. Mr Baldwin lias presented other Parliamentary papers showing the Dominions, during the current financial year up to December 01. have repaid debts totalling £1,189,985, including Australia £525,877; and New Zealand £111.169.

DIED TWICE. LONDON. March 10. The “Daily Express” Geneva correspondent states: Mather., a Swiss farmer, died twice within 15 hours at the little town of Jura in the Alps. He was found frozenu, lying deep in snow. A doctor certified that his heart was frozen, and that the *mn ivas dead. HL family then prepared for the funeral, Eight hours afterwards. however, Mathez sat up in bed, and said: “T am hungry!” He ate a good meal, hut afterwards was for seven hours gasping for breath. He then fell back dead. The doctor examined him and found that he died from a heart attack. Ho said it was remarkable that the heart should resume its action, alter not beating for hours. THE ROYAL WEDDING. LONDON. March 9. Lady Bowes-Lyons’ bridesmaids will he Lady Katherine Hamilton, daughter of the Duke of Abercom : the Hon Diamond Hardinge; the Hon. Cecilia Lyon the bride's niece: the Hon. Elizabeth Elphinstone, daughter of Lord Elphinstone; and probably I/idy May Cimbridge. The Prince of Wales will be one of his brother’s supporters.