AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1924, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

VUSTIIALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. LESSON OF THE DINMFDE..^, NEW YORK, Ji'iß *. Admonitory comment on the proposed polar flight by Z.U.I. has increas 'd tiepopular apprehension regarding the iiso of dirigibles. General Dimont, Afilitary Attaelie of the French Embassy at Washington, who has arrived, said: "Tlie history of the Z.R.T. will end in a similar way as the Dixmude. Ail dirigibles sooner or later are lost. France's recent misfortune teaches a far-reaching lesson. I do not think the dirigible will ever be built that will not meet the same end.” Meanwhile reports that f Crary. Commander of tin- Z.R.L "bad decided that she was unfit to undertake a, polar fiighi have gained such a currency that Captain .McCrary was compelled to issue a fiat denial, which has allayed the immediate fears, but has produced further discussion. NAVAL LIMITATIONS.-' "~ WASHINGTON, Jan. The United States Government is

pleased with tlie attempt by the Leagti--of Nations to extend the principles rf the naval ratio defined by the Washington treaties, but the administration officials do not regard seriouHy the suggestion that the United States should participate in the forthcoming London Conference thereon. It 1*

pointed out that the Cnited States prefers to remain aloof from such a naval conference, because a participation in it would involve a tacit recognition of the League, and because Russia would tie represented. Bid DPI EM THEFT. NEW YORK, Jan. 2. Evidence of the operations of an i|- / licit onium dealei- syndicate appeared / in a daring robbery w herein eleven ban-v dits gagged jinjLiau)wWttr pier m>*>\ and took tin eases of opiuip vai-', " tied at 100.000 dollars. The iJsndi/ arrived simultaneously. partly ,Av launch, and partly by motor, advancing from opposite ends of a sixty,foot pier. They intimidated and disabled the guards successfully. Then they calmly selected opium fr0m.,..: fir* assorted consignments.' The police vwTriv*l. a gA£jj£ ( after the bandits had escaped. ---

■v$ r . f .V ■ rf * ’*' l l '■' "‘" ,o:l1 i,Ki; i!-•!■• iy in (he rliii' to pre-sir,'<■ from l^2|/ . .Tim. - Sterling reached !2!)j! resenting a loss of more than lour cents over tlie New Vein's week-end. TIIK FRANC DROPS. NEW YORK, January ■'!. Sterling lie- rebelled 120} cents, tliis bein': within n half cent of the low iecord of 102.'!. The fume is quoted .it loin- and eight tenths cents, ronstittiling a lien low l-eeord. while fi ntiimntal imd Jiipniiesc exchanges generally stdlcrcd ji marked depression. An observer declares that sterling’s decline is due to the shifting of funds from London to New York, owing to tit l uncertainty of the political situation. which is now expected to continue until Parliament i e-nsscmhlcs. I )<•;»!- cis here are particularly apptehensive of the j.orients of Labour's probable rseendeaev.