MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 December 1923, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIJ7ION. MR MASSEY INTERVIEWED. LONDON, December 12. .Mr Massey interviewed, in reference to the Biitish political situation ing on the work of the Imperial Conference said: 'Whatever may happen, the recommendations of the Conterenco ware never prominent issues at the gem ral chorions. Thy were put oil one side; at all events, lor the time being. But, whalever party comes into power * hope the recommendations will he submitted to Parliament. Any oilier course would be extremely disappointing to the people of the Dominions. Tile principal functions of tTo Conference were to consider the best i: ethoils of developing the British countries overseas and to assist in arriving at solution of the present difficulties in Europe with the object of finally and definitely fixing the amount of reparations to h'j paid by Germany; to assist in removing the industrial depression i.i Britain ; to consider the defence of the Kmpiie. especially naval defence; and generally to strengthen the ties that keep together the people* ol the Empire. Hnty lar wo have been successfill in these matters, it is. at Present impossible to say. 1 am certain that il the Conference’s recommendations me put into operation they would be of immense benefit, both to Britain and the. Dominions. Regarding the protection of Britain’s home markets, I have i,mre faith in tile good sense of tltC people of the United Kingdom than to think that they will continue, for long to allow (lie foreign nations, who will not in nny way veciprocnto, to take t’JO bread out of the mouth of British citizens, which undoubtedly is happening under present conditions. LABOUR AND FRENCH DEBT. LONDON, Dec. 13. Mr Ramsay MacDonald, replying to an interview in the French papers, in which he said Britain would ask for the payment ol the French war debt, says: “This is incorrect. What lie did say was that il there is to he a general settlement, we could not goon paving our debt to America and allow France, which is in a hotter industrial conditon than Britain, to disregard its obligations.” TERROR IN JAPAN. TOKIO, Dee. 12. Repeated earth shocks have been felt at the Kochi prefecture. It is reported that the sea bottom is sinking fifteen miles off the coast, causing much excitement. The people declare the soismatic and atmospheric conditions arc similar to those precec,— ing the great earthquake. Wakayama, Osaka, and Kioto experienced a heavy ’quake at midnight on Sunday. Many people abandoned their homes in terror.

VIEWS OF AUSTRALIA. LONDON, Dec. 13. In the- course of an interview on his arrival in England to-day. Air V ignall the I .about- representative of the Overseas’ Settlement Commission, said: — ‘■W,i. have heard about Australia being a working man’s paradise. There is more poverty in Australia than we expected to find. AYlien I inspected Melbourne, 1 was absolutely astounded. The house rents there are legalised robbery, and a positive scandal. Anyone who says there is no poverty in Australia tells lies. I . have seen it, but the failures there are not greater than the successes. Indeed, it I were a young man, with all my life ahead of me, I would not lie afraid to take tiie ri«k. but ii is no place for elderly people to start life. Australia lias great possibilities ahead. Act I was unfavourably impressed with the conditions of life in the cities, and, to large extent, with the life in the try. The Australians are a most patriotic peoplo, who are building up a nation o"f sturdy men. beautiful women and lovely children.”