AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1924, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION’. STER LING IMPROVES. NEW YORK. Feb. 1. The £ sterling, encouraged by tlie increased British confidence m the Labour Government, lias continued to make a remarkable recovery, reaching 435 cents, which is nearly 5 cents above yesterday. Observers and the brokers attribute the increase to the brightened prospects of international trade arising from Britain’s recognition of Russia. Financial circles here regard the recognition of Russia as the first sound step in the economic restoration of the Continent.

RUM-RUNNING. SIR BRODERICK HARTWELL’S AUDACITY. NEW YORK, January 1. Two coincident items have revealed again that the way of the transgressors of the prohibition law while hard, is exceedingly profitable. Thus, the local Wiles, Sons and Company, which has been in business for fifty years announces that it is returning a million dollars worth of Scotch Whisky to Glasgow because the Coy. is unable to compete against the bootleggers’ prices, since the latter completely evade the Government tax which this firm is obliged to pay because it is doing legitimate business.

The other item is Sir Broderick Hartwell’s circular, just icceived. asking for subscriptions with which to finance the fourth rum running argosy, promising within six months, twenty per cent profit. The Federal authorities have begun an investigation of Hartwell s scheme, which obviously violates the United States postal law.

Orthodox quarters are confessedly shocked at Hartwell’s audacity, but many accept the offer in the spirit of spoiling adventure, because it is openly made, promising payment by the loth, of March. The circular adds that this allows a month for buttling, labelling and packing, a month lor transport, and a month for lying oif the Lnited States coast for unloading. LOST TIME CLAIM. NEW YORK, January 27.

The notorious Stillman divorce ease, in which Stillman alleged that his wife Annie’s last bahv was a son of Fred Beauvais, a Canadian woodsman, has taken a new turn.

Beauvais stood loyally by the woman. w,hi defeated her husband in the courts, but now Beauvais is suing her for 7000 dollars compensation for lost time while aiding her and her attorney to prove that he was not the co-respondent. A DIPLOMATIC CHANGE. WASHINGTON, February 2.

It is stated tbe Government of U.S.A. will lose no time in providing for American diplomatic representation at Ottawa if the appointment of a Canadian Minister to Washington is made. The mention of Sir H. Currie’s name as the possible Canadian Minister here J.ti? been favourably received,