BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1923, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

IUS’J'IIALIAN AND N.fc. CABLE ASSOCIATION. EMPIRE CRUISE. (Received this day at 11.25 a.m.) LONDON, Xov. 28. Mr Massey telegraphed to Admiral Field on the eve of his departure on the Empire cruise, wishing him, his officers and men Godspeed, ami trusti.i g they would have an enjoyable time. On behalf of Xew Zealand he promised the heartiest welcome to the squadron on arrival in the Dominion. A DELICATE SITUATIOX. (Received this day at 11.25 a.m.) BOX BOX, Xov. 28. A new delicate situation i- arising out of the Ruhr occupation owing to the Franco-Belgian agreement with Ruhr industrialists, under which France and Belgium propose to recoup themselves for the costs of occupation from payments under the agreement, was discussed aL a conference of British experts including Sir R. Bradbury, with the Foreign Office. Bradbury will report the British Government’s decision to the Reparations Commission which according to Paris newspapers is confronted with the problem of not merely recognising the occupation of Ruhr as hitherto had not been done, but of endorsing the legality of the payments.

COTTOX TRADE. (Received this dav at 11.-15 a.m.) i.oxnnx. Xov. 2s. An improvement in the cotton trade in Lancashire is indicated as a result of two ballots among members of i he federation of master cotton spinners in regard to the eontiouanee of short time in (he mills using American eotieu which failed to give the necessary eighty tier cent majority in favour of either twent.v-fonr hours or thirty-two hours a week. The result will he a stoppage of short time next week.