AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1923, Page 3

AMERICAN ITEMS.

iUSTKALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

GOLF TOURNEY. (Received this day at 12 noon). NEW YORK, Aug. 11. At Forest Hills, four Englishwomen as well as all ranking American women, survived the early round of Uic American national championship tourney, each winning an easy victory. PETROL PRICE WAR. .Received this day at 9.25 n.m.) NEW YORK, August •!. Throughout ten middle western States petrol is selling at sixteen cents a galton as the result of a cut rate war among producers. The situation arose Irom tile action of the Governors of several Stales who ordered the price to lie reasonably lowered from twenty-three cents, otherwise the State would establish its own petrol stations. The Standard Oil Company immediately reduced its rates far below those which independent companies can afford to sell at. yet but which they must do to meet the former’s prices. Puisiinnt to numerous requests from Governors ol the Western States, the Department of Justice has ordered a nation wide investigation into the price war among petrol producers. PRESIDENT COOLIDGE S POLICY. (Received this day at 11. to n.m.) WASHINGTON. August U. Following president Coolidgc’s iir.st meeting of the -.auinet, White House has emphatically announced that the present administration will follow Mr Harding’s policies in every particular. Hence the World Court will continue as an issue. President 'Coolidge’s altitude in regard to the reparations coincides with that of Mr Hughes, who has repeatedly asserted that reparations and debt's to Jii© United States are not inter-related. Mr Coohdgc has no specific proposal regarding European conditions, but is apparently ready to render all assistance within tlie 1 lilted States power, short of becoming involved in the situation. Regarding the debts owed to the l nited States Mr Coolidge’s administration policy will be to collect them as rapidly as conditions permit.

Regarding immigration it. is believed that Mr Coolidgu favours the selectve system which is substantially similar to the- Davis plan, but the outstanding concern of the administration will ho the alleviation of tlie Agrarian crisis, success in regard to which is regarded as esscntal towards a victorious campaign in 1921.