BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1925, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

lUBTBALIAN AND N.Z. (ABLE ASSOCIATION. WIRELESS PRESS MESSAGE.. LONDON, Feb. 15. The Sydney “Sun’s” London reprosontativo sent the first direct experimental wireless press message flow England to Australia to his paper, stating a party of Australian tourists had visited Notre Dame. A reply came to hand, stating the message was received clearly.

THE AORANGI’S BUFFETING. HONOLULU, Feb. 15. The Aorangi arrived a day consequence of her severe ouflH^; All the way to Victoria she to frequently. Much damage was done to her fittings. .Many persons received ' cuts and bruises, but no one was serously injured. The gale reached SO miles an hour, and the Captain states it was the worst storm lie has ever experienced in the Pacific. SOVIET AND JAPAN. TOKIO, Feb. 15. The restoration of relations between Russia and Japan was celebrated by a large gathering of leading citizens. FRENCH FOREIGN OFFICE. PARIS, February 15. An official statement regarding “Lo Matin’s*’ reference this morning to the objective of the Chaniberlain-Herriott discussions, says that article expresses their personal views, and that it in no wise accurately represents the attitude, of the Quai d'Orsay. FRANK HODGES ATTACKED. LONDON, February 16. As the result of a speech cabled on February 3th, made hv Mr Frank Hodges (ex-Secretary of the British .Miners’ Federation, urging agreements with the coal owners for five years on a group system) .Mr Cook (Secretary of the Miners Federation) speaking in Wales, at Llanuely, made hitter attacks upon All- Hodges. He said: “I cannot understand a man who has been made, by the Labour Movement taking tip his stand with the employers. Frank Hodges is a traitor! Ho tells you that tiie nationalisation o_£ the mines is dead after the whole Socialist movement has fought for it.” NAVAL RIVALRY. LONDON, February 15. file “Daily Express” naval correspondent says: “It is only three years since the Washington Conference, hut already the naval powers are deeply concerned with shipbuilding programmes. There are 289 warships either building or projected for the five principal navies, as compared with 226 similar vessels building by seven powers in 1914. Britain has the smallest building programme, with twenty-five warships projected. The Naval Limitation Treaty has had tlie curious effect of stimulating competition, the French technical experts demanding that France shall build two ships in 1927, each of 17,500 tons, with a speed of twenty-four knots and carrying eight twelve inch guns. These would be within Hie Washington Agreement, hut they would render the ten thousand tenners helpless. If vessels of this French design were built other nations would build to counter them.

ALBANIAN OIL. LONDON, February 15.

The “Daily Express’s” Berlin correspondent understands that the Italian Government does not deny that the Anglo-Pcrsian Oil Company’s position* in Albania, as cabled on February 13, is sound from a legal viewpoint. At the same time, it is contended that the possibility of oil fields being developed nar the Adriatic coast is fraught with strategical consequences, ■ closely concerning Italy, whose rights cannot ho disregarded. FRANC AGAIN FALLS. SPECULATION PANICKY. (Received this day at 8 a.i11.) LONDON, Eewia-v 15 The “Daily Express” Pars corn spondent reports the startling collapse of the franc is the one topic i f conversation. It represents a fall of fivo points in a week and specu iH.m oil tlio Bourse is inclined in the direction of a panic. On Saturday M. Hcrriot •Premier) called a conference of- experts whose deliberations lasted until three o'clock on Sunday morning. A disquieting factor is that there is speculation against the franc among ordinary people, suggesting a aelc of confidence in the Government. M. Yiolette, reporter of the Budget, stated in the Chamber that I’ranee lequires another six thousand Million francs revenue.