BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1924, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) CAPETOWN, January 27. In the Assembly Mr Crg.Tsrell, the Labour Leader will move bn Tuesday, “That this House holds the promises made by the Government at the IniNx peiial and Economic Conferences impose no binding obligations on the Dominions concerned until ratified by liament.” This dissents from the contrary view put forward by Premier Smuts in a public speech at Johannesburg. -« General He.rtzog, the Nationalist loader, will move “That a. proper and comprehensive solution of unemployment and the increasing poverty in the country, requires the earnest and immediate attention of the Govern- •». ment,” THE DROUGHT IN AFRICA. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) CAPETOWN, Jan. 27. The unprecedented drought in portions of the Free State and Western Transvaal is causing great losses of stock and crops, which are aggravated by the visits of locusts. Tho farmers are ill great distress and iv V; anticipated the Government will take immediate action with a view ot enabling them to cover bonds so as not to hvst' their farms.

OLYMPIAD WINTER SPORTS, y

(Reroivod this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, January 27. For the first, contests in the winter sports section at the Eighth Olympiad at Chamonix, there was line weathe. There were twenty-seven competitors, lcepresentiug ten nations. The live hundred metres speed skating wa won by an American, Jewtraw, the time being forty-four seconds. Ol-

sen, Norway, was second. The five thousand metres was won h v Tlmnberg, Finland in eight minutes, thirty-nine seconds. Skutnable, Tinland, was .second. Classification of the lending nations at the end of the day was: Finland 20) points, Norway 17J, and United States 11.

CAUSE OF LENIN’S DEATH

LONDON January 27. A [lost mortem established the cause of Lenin’s death as nrterio.scleriasis of ilie brain, which was apparently inherited from his father who died at tho same age from an identical disease. Lenin's body will be embalmed. Tho Diplomatic Co yes decided to attend tho funeral and present a joint wreath. LABOUR PLEASING TO EGYPT (Received this dav at 8 a.m.) CAIRO, Jan. 27. Zughlul Pasha, in a speech at a banquet in his honour, attended by 195 deputies, said lie esteemed it fortunate that a British Ministry had obtained power which was well disposed to uphold the principles of right and justice. Egyptians were prepared to confer with this Ministry with a view to obtaining real independence y while respecting reasonable and acceptable British interests and not' clashing therewith. He testified to the help already given and which was . likely to continue to he given by ioreign residents who should he treated with the traditional hospitality of the Egyptians. Foreigners must live peacefully together lor the common good. HALS. DUNEDIN JOINS SQUADRON. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) TRINCOM ALT, .Du)/' 26. Tin' special squadron, lias been rein- - forced by tho Dunedin. The have been sighted, and will probably"' ~ arrive later, tho rain delaying them.

THE PHILIPPINE REVOLT.

fßeceived this day at 8 a.in.) MANILA, Jane. 20. Fifty-four Colorums were killed, nineteen wounded and thirteen captured by the Constabulary at Surigao. FRENCH TRADE. LONDON. Jan. 2(i. The “Morning Post’s” Palis correspondent- states liiat the trade re- - turns for 1923 show that France’s imports were valued at 32,014 million francs, an increase of 8684 millions, compared with 1922. 4 lie exports wore valued at 30.431 millions, an increase of 3043 millions.

The exports of French manufactures last year increased by 3916 million francs to 16,232 millions. The imports of manufactures increased by 301 L J millions to 435 millions. The imports of raw materials into France increased by 14,044 million francs, this being largely due to the low purchasing power of the franc. Meanwhile the cost of living in France is advancing by leaps bomids. Food that cost 100 francs in 1914 will cost 354 francs to-day. Clothing that cost 100 francs in 1914 costs 392. Lighting and heating thatcost 350 francs now, cost only 100 francs in 1911, while necessities have advanced 400 per cent. Rents have only doubled. There were exceptionally high French purchases of cotton and wool in January, when the exchange began to soar. These make a further increase in the indent figures inevitable.

FRENCH FINANCIAL PROBLEM. PARIS, dan. 20. X. The French Chamber of Deputies has begun the discussion of the Government’s proposals to strengthen the franc. It is expected that M. Poincare will endeavour to close tho general discussion to-day, in order to make room for a detailed discussion. " ~ M(>SCCW EXPU LSIONS. RIGA, Jan. 25. The Soviet Government is expelling 290.000 people from Moscow owing to tin* bousing shortage. -M. Trotsky s adherents and the merchants who recently returned to Moscow under Mr. Lenin’s new economic policy are speey,hilly subject to expulsion. Communists are taking over the houses. Some of the merchants have bribed the Communists to tho extent of Cloo for tho use of a single room.

FRANCE AND PARIS, Jan. 25 A Franco-Slovakian Treaty has been signed. Tile two countries proclaim, in respect to international engagements their firm desire lor the maintenance of the peace of Europe, and their fidelity to their obligations as defined by the peace treaties. They declare that they are ready to take concerted action on external questions likely to endanger their security, and they agree regarding the measures to be taken in the event of peril. They express their adhesion to the political principles contained in article 88 of tlic? Treaty of Saint Germain, and their desire to adopt a common policy against any attempt to restore the Hohenzotlerns and the Hapsburgs to thc4r late thrones.