BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1923, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. BRITISH POLITICS. (Received this day at 9.H0 a.m.) LONDON, March 20. Tho "Wee Frees” amendment to Mr Philip Snowden’s Socialist motion in tho House of Commons declares "The Houso believing that the attempt to establish Socialism, whether based on compensation or confiscation, "ouu produce widespread dislocation, destroy initiative, create bureaucratic despotism, lessen production, inflict fatal injuries oil our overseas trade,. and lower the general standard of life. ’ STRIKE BALLOT. LONDON, March 20. The ballot in the building trade dispute resulted in 12,006 for and 1 10,f)o2 against the acceptance of the master - terms (cabled January 11th.) POLITICAL SITUATION IS' JITGO-SLA'VTA. •Received this day at 11.20 a m.) BELGRADE, March 19. The political situation in Tugo-Shivia is highly complex and dangerous. In order to command a majority Pash itch should have secured 160 scats. Instead he only won about 120 and it is expected ' that the Skuptscliinn will he again dissolved, and n military dictatorship established, pash itch has not had a majority since the Democrats seceded from the Coalition in 1922. The Reoditchs and Croats so far have refused to recognise the Constitution which Pnshiteh’s Coalition pressed, and they have also boycotted the Skuptschina. FLOODS in AFRICA. ,Received this dav at 11.30 a.m.) CAPETOWN. March 20. The extensive flooding of the Zambesi country caused a serious situation the railway communication being broken. Thousands of natives were driven out from their kraals. Pneumonic influenza lias broken out and famine is threatening in Nyassaland. The greater part of the tobacco crop lias been destroyed. WEE FREES AMENDMENT. Received this dav at 11.30 a.m 1 LONDON. March 20. The Wee Frees amendment declares that existing evils can, and should be remedied, not by revolutionary changes but by a wise and peaceful economic policy which will reduce the public burdens by instituting more harmonious relations between those engaged in production on the basis of equitable distribution of its fruits, by opening up natural resources, liberating enterprise under the system of taxation which does not penalise improvements but offers equality of opportunity to everybody. MESOPOTAMIAN POl JCY. Received this dav at 11.30 a m.) LONDON, March 20. The “Pall Mall Gazette” understands that the Cabinet Committee’s report on tbe question as to whether Britain shall remain in Mesopotamia or change her policy regarding that territory, recommends that until tho Peace Treaty with 1 Turkey is signed and the future of 1 Mosul settled, our commitments can- 1 ibt he reduced. When that question ! 1 s settled the commitments may he reluced steadily until at the end of five rears the now Arab State should be 1 ible to stand alone and we are bound o fulfil our solemn pledge to Irak. j

RECONSTRUCTION' OF TURKEY. Received this dnv at 12.2-> p.m.f LONDON, March 20. The ‘‘Daily Express” Constantinople correspondent reports that a cotnpre*7 hensive American scheme for the reconstruction of Turkey includes the transformation of Angora into a dream city, containing outstanding features of London, Paris, New York and Washington. The syndicate also proposes to run sugar refiners, engage in afforestation, build a network of railways, roads, bridges, canals, irrigation works, establish schools of agriculture and engineering health centres and hotels under the director of tourist travel companies. This is merely a summary of all the proposals embracing the trusts proposed tentacles which will reach to the uttermost parts of Anatolia. The proposals indicate that though the (-luted States is averse to sharing European political burdens American business men are determined to share any concessions offering. One hundred and fifty members of American Chambers of Commerce, arrived in Constantinople. FARES REDUCED. ROTTERDAM. March 20. German shipowners have reduced the fares from the Continent to South Africa, calling Southampton, from £O2 to £SO first class, and from £4.7 to £37 IDs. second, class. LONDON. March 20. Mr L. AT. Amery. First Lord of the Admiralty, in a speech in London, favoured the whole-hearted policy of preference in order to open up the resources of the Empire, though this is not administratively possible of accomplishment during the life of the present Government.

H.M.S. CHATHAM. ! SYDNEY, March 23. ! The officers of the Chatham were entertained at luncheon by the State Cabinet, yesterday.