BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1924, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

LATEST CABLE NEWS

IOSTKALIAN AND N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION. NO AVI I EAT MONOPOLY. LONDON, December 17. (living evidence, before the Food Prices Commission, Sir Herbert Robson, who went to Chicago in 1917 to buy wheat for the British Government, said enquiries would undoubtedly show that the price of bread in New A'ork, Chicago, Montreal and Toronto, was higher than in the United Kingdom. Tt was impossible to corner America’s wheat now. as the authorities would intervene, and no such attempt laid been made for twenty years past. He was in favour of Government buying, which was the host way to raise prices. , A DOUBLE DILEMMA.

(Received this day at 11.25 a.in.) PARIS, 'December 18. The Press is discussing the British Government’s refusal in regard to Article eighteen of the Covenant of the League of Nations as applying to the Anglo-Irish Treaty. The “Echo de Paris’’ says a double dilemma is presented as either the British Dominions are independent powers entitled to speak and vote in their own name or are the satellites of Britain whose voice and votes must he merged in the voice and vote of the Imperial Cabinet. But what would Genova sav if Germany claimed to enter the League escorted hv her eighteen States and even hy Austria, under the same Treaty of Alliance drawn up on a British model? The lesson of the whole affair is that, constituted as she is at present. Britain cannot lend herself to an experiment. The League of Nations is accomplishing its specific task, however small, save at the peril of tier Empire. A JAP’S INTENTIONS. TOKIO, December 18. Alatsudaira in an interview stated that he would strive his utmost to promote friendly relations between America and Japan. He bespoke of the e.o-operntinn of the Japanese press in his attempt to solve the problems between the two countries.

INVITATION TO FRANCK. PARTS, December 18. The French Rugby Federation has received a letter from the Australian Rugby Union, suggesting negotiations for a visit of a French team to Australia next summer.

VICTOR IA N LOAN. LONDON, December 18. A Victorian six million sterling loan is being underwritten at LI per cent, 971, redeemable in 1910-GO. TERRIBLE MINE DISASTER. C'APETOAYN, Dee. 18. A terrible mine disaster has occurred nt the Rnmll'ontein Estates. A cage, containing a white man mill thirty natives, was descending the south verticil I shaft, which is 4750 ft. deep, when the drive was horrified to find that the strain shiddenlv ceased, the cage having dropped u thousand feet. Iming crumpled into a mass of twisted wreck-

age. Rescuers immediately descended and discovered the human remains wedged in the timbers, while at the bottom of the shaft, only the too of the battered cage could he seen emerging from the water. Baling had to he resorted to, hut so far no bodies have been \ecovered.

MUSSOLINI TX TROUBLE. LONDON. Dee. 18. The'“Daily Exnrcss” Rome correspondent says that Italy is confronted with a grave crisis. Mussolini is still the idol of the masses, hr. being regarded as the saviour of Italy Iroiu Bolshevism, hut he niiparently lacks the faculty of choosing subordinates. For weeks Parliament has been without an onnosiliou as the Democrats, the Catholic I’arle and the Socialists, numbering 150. fill the lobbies. but have declined to enter the Chamber since the Socialist Matteotti was murdered. The Government, accordingly, readily missed the Press Mill, but tlie proposed legislation was too much for the Senators, who, for the first time, voted heavily against the Mussolini Government, which therefore decided to with-hold tho press legislation. The newspapers, however, continue to demand that the King call lor the Governments resignation, even if Mussolini is asked to form a now administration. N Z LEAGUE TEAM INVITED. LONDON. Dee. 18. T'.« Rugby League Council has considered the newly-formed Australian Board of Control’s suggestion that a team should visit England in 1925-20. and the. Council decided not to accept the suggestion, but alternatively decided to invite the New Zealand League to solid a team. ' PAPAL MESSAGE. ROME. December 18. The Pope speaking at a Secret Consistory referring to the attitude of the Holy See toward Russia, exhorted all, especially men in power who love peace and sanctity of the human family to hump dignity and to make every effort to fight the grave dangers and certain injuries arisng out of Socialism and Com in nil ism. But this must not afreet our dutiful solicitude "’for elevating the conditions of the workers and all humble people. The Pope urg-. ed the faithful of all the world to join in prayers during Holy Year ill « ' that God may enlighten the men m power in this regard. ESSAYS ON WEMBLEY. LONDON. December 18. Tho Society of Women Journalists is olfering prizes of £SO ami £‘2o /«>' adults, CIO for hoys and CIO for. girls under sixteen, also certificates signed bv the Prince of Wales, for essays not exceeding one thousand words on what Wembley has done for the Lmpne. FINANCE MUNSTER'S PLANS. PARIS. December 18. M. Clementel, Minister of Finance, informed tlie Chamber and the Finance Commission that he was preparing a vast consolidation redemption, the operation of which he would undertake at the beginning of the New Year.