MISELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1924, Page 3

MISELLANEOUS ITEMS.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

[BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. JAPAN AND RUSSIA. TOKIO, May 25 With the release yesterday of Japanese prisoners held at Vladivostocß on charges of espionage, the only matter remaining for settlement between Japan and Russia Indore formal recognition of their agreement is the Nikol:iievsk massacre which happened some years ago, when seven hundred Japanese including a Consul were killed. Japan demanded an apology involving the acceptance of responsibility for reparation in the form of concessions regarding northern Saghnlien, from which .Japan is agreeable to withdraw her occupying troops. It is expected an agreement will he reached on this outstanding question, clearing the wav for ti lull settlement.

BKLG fA NS ENTERTAIXED. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, May 25. Sir James Allen in entertaining a Belgian delegation referred to the wartime friendship and paid a tribute to Belgians for their unremitting care of New Zealand graves, lie said New Zealand was not so narrow minded that she failed to see the desirableness of going outside the Empire, if an opening were found, to sell goods or buy necessities at satisfactory prices, despite the fact that her main, foremost idea was to develop inter-Empire trade.

Ambassador Mom-hour replying, said the wttr had opened the eyes of Belgium to the value of frozen beef, mutton and cheese, and Belgians were consuming increasing quantities. Monclietir stated there were excellent markets in Belgium for New Zealand high quality produce, and hoped direct steamers would soon' he established.

EMPIRE AND LABOUR. LONDON, May 25. J. 11. Thomas, in an article in the ’•Times” Empire Day Exhibition supplement, refutes the assumption which he says is prevalent in some circles, that Labour is hostile 10 the Empire and the Imperial idea. Labour has recently criticised certain aspects and forms of imperialism, hut always had a keen eye for the conduct of imperial affairs and the administration of the Empire, not because it was opposed to the Empire, hut for exactly contrary reasons. It was prompted, wholly lied solely, hv a desire that the Empire shall lie worthy of the idea it eiulxnlics. and the Motherland which gave it birth, lie admits that masses of the workers in Britain are not always alive to the scope and diversity of the resources and possibilities of the Empire. That was solely due to the fact that they had Inn! no opportunity of Requiring Empire knowledge. He says nothing has been conceived, far less carried, out. so calculated to provide them with that knowledge as the Exhibition, which, vividly firings to their eyes the Empire's vastness and illimitable resources. They will learn many things now. For instance, that Australia's untold riches .are only just tapped; how New Zealand is waiting to welcome immigrants with British I,food. The Exhibition brings a new vision and hope to those who were tempted to despair. When they realise that the solution of Britain’s industrial problem is a slow process depending on the gradual restoration of Europe and the consequent, revival ol markets formerly absorbing such a vast proportion of our manufactures. The exhifiition pavilions are more than shop windows. They are an excellent appeal and encouragement to Empire trade and a most attractive argument for the growth anil extension ol Empire settlement.