LATEST CABLE NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1923, Page 2

LATEST CABLE NEWS

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. TARIFF PR EFERENCE. LONDON, October 17. Sir John Simon, speaking at- tho National Club, dealing with the Government’s preference proposals said he liojied their fellow citizens overseas would not mind a little jvlain speaking. It was useless to conduct such a controversy by empty compliments. There was grave danger of a confusion of ideas at the outset. He -pointed out , that tlie preference practised hv tho Dominions tended to decrease the prito that, tlie consumer had to pay tor anarticle enjoying preference, whereas preference in Britain would increase ■the prices to the poorest, who at piesent enjoyed a free market. In his speech. Sir •!.’• Simon continued that the British Government’s preference proposals might be trumpery and negligible, but they involved an important admission, namely, that the next step would he impossible without taxing food. Mr Bruce, Australian Premier. said that it was useless dodging the main issue, thus making it fairly clear that his ultimate idea was to tax lood and raw materials. '*

Sir 3. Simon, referring particularly to Mr Brute’s proposal fora guarantee of preference on sugar for ten years, asked what light any Government had to eon tin ue a burden on one of the most important of foodstuffs. Ho concluded that the Empire would best justify itself by declaring that ‘"we at heart adhered to the principle of trading with tho. whole world, and not by a hopeless effort to be self supporting.” LABOUR'S DISAPPROVAL. LONDON, October 17. The official seal has been put to Labour's disapjrroval of Imperial preference. The Rt. Hon. A. Henderson in a speech at Durham, declared that Mr Bl'iiee (Australian .Premier) was asking for the full programme of preference sought* by the tariff reformers. "Preference,” said Air Henderson, ‘•would impose an iusupj'oiiahle burden on our inij ovenshed people. The duty proposed to be put on dried fruits involves a distinct* violation of Mr Lunar Daw’s election pledge, whilfc a 10-vears’ guarantee regarding Empire' grown sugar would not* bind a Labour Government if such a government materialis. oil within that period. U.S.A. INTEREST IN TARIFF DISCUSSION. WASHTNGTON. October ‘fr. Keen interest is taken here in the working cut of the preferential tariff plan with the British Empire at the EinJiire Conference. Although tlie Picsident* made it plain tho United Stales Government recognises the full right of the British Government and the Dominions to adopt a plan there is threat of retaliations I’i-om White House. No doubt the high tariff party leaders in Congress and in the country will endeavour to use the British tariff preferences as a reason for keeping up tho high lovet of duties in this eountiy. NEW ’PLANE RUNS TO MOSCOW. LONDON, October 17. One of the most luxurious aeroplanes over Iniilt Ims lett for .Moscow for air traffic. It seats seven in an elegant saloon, lined wit-h silk damask. It- has a. running-water lavatory to onable the passengers to wash and brush up on long journeys. S I’A NISH-BRA ZIL SERA' ICE. LONDON, October 17. Zeppelin Works at Eriedriehshiifon have received an order for lout aii* shijis, carrying 30 passengers, to inauuirate a Seville-Buenos Avres set vice INCREASE OF IMMIGRANTS. LONDON, Oct. 17. Air Alassev arranged with the Overseas Settlement Committee to extend its migration plans as to New Zealand. He lias auhtorised the acceptance, as tarni labourers, of men with little or no exjierionco. provided migration officials are satisfied such men would lie capable physically for farm work. A limited number of this class are to be now sent to New Zealand in each ship, but they will not receive the same wages as experienced men. Mr Alassev has also authorised tho acceptance, without nomination, of hoys of the public school class. About 20 of these will also accompany each .shipment of emigrants to New Zealand. Arrangements are being made to accommodate these boys on experimental farms, pending other suitable positions being found for them. There also are to be girls sent to New Zealand whose only experience in domestic training has been that of private homes. As well there were those sent who have been trained in orphanages and similar institutions. They will In* accepted without nomination. BRITISH NAVAL CRUISE. LONDON. Oct. 17. The tinning British warships’ cruise ol the Empire' will embrace South Africa, the Gobi Coast, Australia, and New Zealand. They will return via Canada and Panama. They will sail in the autumn, possibly in November. DEAD AIRMAN’S OBSEQUIES. LONDON, Oct. 17. The ‘‘Daily Chronicle’s” Paris correspondent says:—The body of Maneyrol the French aviator killed in tlie glider tests on October 13th., was carried Prom l.ytnpm* to I.ol>ourget Aerodrome by a French aeroplane. Iho coffin has been covered with the tricolour, ami surrounded by a hundred wreaths, awaiting burial. FUTURE OF PACIFIC. JAPAN’S ATTITUDE. TOKIO, Oct. IG. Interviewed. Baron ljuin, Japanese Foreign Alinister, referring to the Singapore Base project, said the Washington Agreement furnished no grounds against Britain's proposal. Britain naturally was anxious to adopt certain measures to protect her dominions. She had miuiv important interests, and Singapore was one of the most valuab.e strategic situations. Though tho An-glo-Jupanese Alliance was no longer operating the I tost passible understanding existed ber-veen Britain and Japan. Tie* Washington Conferenee and the Pncifie Pact should guarantee a long peace in the Pacific. Britain. America, and Japan were specially interested in the Pacific. He hoped that ail would Pillow the sjiirit of the Washington Conferenee. in which case, no difftcullies were likely to arise. Japan was most anxious to see that spirt continue for ever. Peace was very necessary to all countries. Regarding China, he said that •lapan’s policy is that* of the open door, with equal opportunities to all. There was no fear of any serious quarrel between America and Japan on this and Jimnv other questions. Japan desired to 1>? a friendly neighbour with China, both commercially and industrial^. ‘•So far as the White Australia policy was concerned." said the Foreign Minister. "Japan i> desirous that Australia shall give her more liberal treatment. There has been much misunderstanding by the Australians. Japan is verv anxious to be good friends a ways." This, lie said, was the best policy for all the countries Ixird.-nng on the Pacific.