BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1923, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. METHODISTS AND ROME. ""ROME, May 29. The recent statements made in some of the American Methodist journals in t which it is asserted that barbarous Europe must be evnngalised, beginning with Rome, and threatening to purchase the Monterniarie and erect a great Methodist Institute and open schools at tho gates of the Vatican as well as a Methodist University towering over St. Peters, has given offence to the Catholic deputies who interpellated tho Government on tho subject. A warm discussion followed. The Government replied that it had the matter under consideration, which is interpreted to foreshadow intervention to provent the Mont© Mario falling into the Methodist’s hands. NEW PREMIER APPOINTED.

CHRISTIANIA, May 29. M. Beige, Minister of Finance, has been appointed Premier vice M. Halva rsen deceased. LOSS OF LIFEDELHI, May 29. Considerable loss of life is repoited near Meshed ns a result of a severe earthquake. ARAB BOYCOTT. LONDON, May 29. The Colonial Office announces that an Order-in-Council has been published in Jerusalem, declaring tho recent Palestine elections to be null and void owing to the failure of tho majority of the Aral) population to exercise the franchise, and thereby make possible the appointment of twelve members to the High Commissioner’s Council.

TO SIGN PROTOCOL. LONDON, May 29. Sir James Alien, when in Switzerland on June 4th., will sign the protocol embodying the amendments to Articles 15 and 10 of the League of Nations covenant adopted by tho 1921 Assembly. British representatives will sign on behalf of Australia.

CAPE AND THE LEAGUE. CAPETOWN. May 30. A motion was moved in the Senate by ex-Rresident Reitz that the Union of South Africa, should give notice of its withdrawal from the League of Nations. In reply General Smuts said that the League of Nations had little to do with the Peace Treatv, nor was it formed to carry out tho treaty. Its purpose was to deal with international troubles which might arise in the lutura. General Smuts was ashed tuo question as to ivhv the League of Nations had not interfered in the Ruhr situation. Replying, General Smuts said that the League had no locus standi. The Ruhr was a matter for the Council. of the Powers. Ho said that be had instructed tho Union’s delegates at tho recent couferenc. to sco whether tho question could not be dealt with, and, on the initiative of his Government, a resolution was passed that the .League offer its services, if invited. The invitation was not made, and nothing further was done. Continuing, the Premier said that the Government had no intention of getting out of the League, as it believed that the future pcaco of South Africa would want the help of the League, “and, for the sake of a yearly contribution, don’t let us cut off from the rest of tho world, but let us bear our share of tho burden!” Tho motion was withdrawn.