BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 February 1924, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

kUSTBALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. ROUMANIA AND FRANCE. PARIS, January 30. A long and iiutliorititativo statement now makes clear that Roumania lias definitely renounced her intention of asking the French Government for a loan of one hundred million francs. It is explained that the inevitable delav in the French Parliament voting the loan compels Roumania to .seek ot.lioi means of tiding over its difficulties and most orders for war material Lave been nivon to Roumanian industries, this being advantageous both to Roumania and France —to the former on account of its depreciated exchange and to the .latter because it gives an opportunity to practice another economy at a moment when sho is endea-' vourincf to find a means to balance her budget. It is emphasised that FrancoRouniiuiian relations are in no wise affected. THE ADMIRALTY’S STATEMENT LONDON. Jan. 30. The Admiralty states that it knows nothing of the statement published in a section of the London press that one of the former German docks, surrendered to Britain under the treaty, should be sent to Singapore in order to provide repair facilities for the largest British warships, thus materially reducing the estimated expenditure on the Singapore base. The Admiralty asserts the Singapore schemes as submitted to the Conservative Government had not yet been considered by the new Cabinet.

SEAMEN’S PROTEST. LONDON, Jan. 30 Havelock Wilson, on behalf of the National Seamen’s and Firemen’s Union, telegraphed to Mr MacDonald, pointing out that twelve hundred seamen oil German vessels trading to the United Kingdom struck against the low wages of three pounds sterling compared with nine paid by British and other shipowners. Consequently British ships were leaving British ports seriously undermanned, endangering other vessels trading in British waters. Mr Wilson also states that eases have been brought under the notice of the Board of Trade, but the Government has taken no action to prevent infringements of the law, which he urges should he impartially applied.

BELONGINGS OF GENERAL PEREIRA. ◄P k -'- PKKING, Jan. 30 Doctor Thompson is travelling to Peking to hand over the belongings of Brigadier-General Pereira. who was killed by bandits on the 2-tvli at Paotowchen. SINGAPORE NOT YET DISCUSSED. I .Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, January 30. H understood that tho statement published in regard to the Singapore *"*■ Pair or the Govi inment’s doeisitia/conceining that matter, are purely, imagirazi’c. Up to the present tbs Cabinet La: net oeu discussed the matter.

Al STBALiAN COMMENTS. SYDNEY, Jan. 31. Federal. Ministers state that they have no information, and they refuse to comment, on the entiled report that the British Government has abandoned the Singapore base scheme. Sir John Monash says he considers such an abandonment would he not only a mistake but a disaster. It would, he says, upset the whole scheme of imperial defence. This project was too serious to be handled by the Government in such a way as tho cabled. reports indicated. Mr Lev, Minister of Justice for New South Wales, declaord the abandonment would he a tragedy to Australia and the Empire. Something must he done, and Australia must make it clear such an abandonment would mean jeopardising her future. Mr Charlton, the Leader of the Federal Parliament Opposition, said he was pleased to hear the news of tho Singapore base plan being abandoned as lie was always against the project. He considered that it was a project that had been made quite unnecessary by the Washington Conference.

WOOL SALES POSTPONED. LONDON, January 30. The wool sales were postponed owing to fog. EMPLOYERS ACCEPT PROPOSALS. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, January 30. The Council of the Port labour employers has accepted the proposals of toe Transport and General Workers’ Prion for conferences to discuss the dockers’ strike threat. GENERAL SMUTS AND PREFERENCE. CAPETOWN. January 31.

Speakiug at the Agricultural Show in Pnarl, General Smuts emphasised the enormous advantages of the proposed preferences to the fruit and wine industry. He expressed disappointment that, notwithstanding these advantages he had received little support ill a matter that was of such vital importance to ngri'-ulturo. lie expected to have his hands strengthened in further nogotimis and to have the unanimous support of the whole of South Africa in keeping the British Government reminded of its promises of help pud its practical expressions of friendlineßs for the Dominions. Instead of that they aio .squabbling among themselves. General Smuts said he had still reason to in pc that the work of the conference would stand, hut he had a right to expect the undivided support of every .South .African so that the British Go-'V’ vernment couhl recognise the importance of carrying their promises into effect. South Africa has given preference for years now. no matter what British Government was in power, and it should do its utmost to reciprocate.

CONCILIATION BILL FOR- AFRICA. CAPETOWN. January 31. In moving the second reading of the -■ Conciliation Bill in the Assembly, Malan said the industrial atmospheftT was much calmer and the moment was opportune for legislation which was designed to minimise the risk of future upheavals. Mr Sampson, a Labourite, said that if the Bill had been passed ten years ago, a great deal of industrial itrifg might have, been avoided ,