BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1924, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AMJ S.&. CABLE ASSOCIATION SOVIET MISSiu-n 'lo BRITAIN. (Received this day at 10 a.in.) 1.0n00.N, April T ’ill.' personality oi the [soviet delegation none ol whom''holds high rank in the Soviet oligarchy or is competent in commercial or political nlfairs, suggests that they aie not endowed ntlli uiiictLered powers o' decision, and 1...,, will licetss:rate lrerpient delays owing to references to .Moscow. None of the delegates are friendly to Britain. .Moreover the Soviet press, since tile British recognition has been active in inventing hostile contemptuous epithets for the British Government. Consequently, although the conference is ostensibly being held to establish friendship, the question of friendship can probably be dismissed, the delegates vaunting their repudiation of the debts claims, coming for the purpose of countering and outbidding legitimate British claims by fantastic trumped up demands, combined with an attempt to wheedle new credit.- from British capital, by concessions or exceptions and lo a repudiation threat. A fresh attempt by the third International to foment a world revolution is another method of Bolshevik negotiation. Therefore it is essential that Britain he. on the alert for the purpose of countering the blnlf and intimidation which the delegation will use while posing as innocent visitors, appealing for a lenient British settlement.

CA'IT LE SIII L’A I ENT EX L’E RIM ENT. (“Sydney Sun” Cables). (Received this day at !L0 a.m.) LONDON. April 7. An experimental shipment of 3-30 Southwest African fat cattle, arriving at Birkenhead, will he slaughtered immediately. The South-west African Government co-operated with the wholesale meat dealers in Birkenhead in the experiment. If it is successful regular shipments will follow from April to August during which months Canadian and Irish supplies of cattle diminish. TWO AMERICANS MURDER ED. [ Reuters Telegrams.] CONSTANTINOPLE, April 6. Two American merchants were in nrdcred on the Tirnna-Sciitari Road, the perpetrators being unknown.

ST A RTLING RKV Et,ATKINS. CHILDREN DRUG ADDICTS. (Received this day at 10.45 a.m.) LONDON, April 7. 'Hie “Daily Express” .Moscow correspondent. says that staitling ievolutions have been made before a special Commission appointed by the Commissariat of Health to investigate conditions among R.ussia’s homeless children. There are fifty thousand in Moscow alone, of whom forty percent were found to be cocaine addicts. Doctor Bueharoz. Moscow’s most noted pathologist, declares lie found many children spent ini equivalent of four to ten pounds sterling weekly on cocaine, obtaining the money almost entirely by stealing. AFTER, 25 YEARS. (“Sydney Sim” Cables). (Received this day at 10.-15 a.m.) LONDON, April 7. In connection with Richardson V.C.. cabled on 31st. March, the discovery has been followed by a happy sequel in the union with Ills well-to-do family. After twenty-five years enhancement, he visited his old home in trepidation wondering what his reception would he, but he was recognised instantly and was received with embraces and kisses. Richardson said when 1 its read the exploits of the. masquerader that he was staggered: —“I am too quiet, hut when I saw that I was dead I thought it was time I let my people know that I was alive.”

SOUTH AFRICAN POLITIC S

A DISSOLUTION ANNOUNCED

(Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) CAPETOWN. April " •

Mr Smuts’* announcement of a dissolution came as a complete surprise to the. House. From previous utterances it was not expected he would contemplate an appeal to the country so soon. The dissolution involves the lapse of several important measures, including the Class Areas Bill and South-west Naturalisation Bill. The decision involves the cancellation of the Princes visit ms it is not desirable that he be here during the turmoil of a general election. The AVakearstroom deteat reduces tho Government nominal majority to eight, and deducting the Speaker and Air Alerrimaii. who is too ill to attend the House, the working majority is only six. The loss of 1 akerstronm was attributed mainly to the turnover of the railway vote which was annoyed by the economies introduced bv the Minister ol Railways. CAPETOWN. April .. A feature of the comments on \VnLerstroom is that it proved tho Nationalist Labour pact, will he the must important Factor at the next general election... The “Cape Times” says i is an urgent warning that the South African Party’s house must he set in order by continuous organisation, otherwise'defeat at next general election stares the party m the face.