MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 July 1924, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

[Reuters Telegrams.]

FRANCE AND CONTROL OF RUHR. PATHS, July 3. General Nellet told the Senate’s Foreign Committee that Franco would not accept September 20 as the date for the termination of inspection by the Control Commission in Germany. POWER REVOLUTION PREDICTED LONDON. July 2. Presiding at the World Power Conference, Sir Robert Horne (former Unionist Chancellor of Exchequer) said that as a result of the war-wastage, there was not sufficient wealth in the world to maintain the pre-war standard of living. The only practical aid was the development of electrical power. Compared with tile United States, the measures in that connection in Britain were bad.

A second paper on “World Rower Economies,” was submitted by Air Phillip Nash. He remarked that it was customary to think of a nation’s wealth in gold, but another criterion, namely, the capacity of its resources to yield, economically, efficient and abundant power might well be used in submitting bis paper. Air Nash said that bis conviction was that the industrialists and engineers were only now at the beginning of great developments. which might change the world’s economic aspects. Tho world might see enacted a revolution of as great significance as anything which it had confronted in the nineteenth century. Sir Al. Harvey said that the United Stales was prenared to finance power rates.

CHAAIBERS OF COMMERCE CONFERENCE.

I’RE 1 ’ERENOX I>l SCESSEI)

LONDON, July 2

A difference of opinion in regard to Imperial Preference was manifested •it the Empire Chambers of Commerce Conference. ft. was agreed that a resolution lie moved declaring the adoption of preferential duties on Empire products within the -Empire were most desirable while, the ideal to lie aimed at was freedom of trade within the Empire and reasonable protection against the rest of the world, and in the meantime that mutual preference on a most generous liberal basis should lie established by reciprocal agreements between the Dominions and the ATotlierJauil.

The IT udders field delegate opposed the resolution. Tie said that for preference to bo any good to Australia and Canada the food and raw materials from there entering Britain must be taxed.

Sir Thomas Mackenzie (New Zealand) expressed the opinion that the last election did not express any British antagonism to a tariff.

Sir Edward Davidson moved an amendment expressing regret at the decision of the British Government not to ratify the preference resolutions of the Conference, and also urged that the establishment of a fiscal perferenco was a most practical means of furthering Imperial developments, and calling for the early production of any other scheme directed towards this end.

A vote ufion Die motions was postponed till to-morrow. The Commerce Congress also resolutioned in favour of stimulating Empire cotton growing. Mr Davison (Australia) in proposing a resoliitmi in favour of preference, suggested the British Parliament should give it a- trial for five years. Sir Thomas Alaekenzie said New Zealand would continue its preference, regardless of Britain’s non-reciprocal policy. If reciprocal preferences were granted, they would so stimulate oversells product ion that the Dominions would lie able to settle one hundred thousand families. (sir George I-enwielc claimed that the unanimity of the Dominion in conceding preference entitled them to expect roc-piofitv.