AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1925, Page 1

AMERICAN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION TARIFF DIFFICULTY. OTTAWA, April 21. Air Stevens, a- Alember of the House of Commons for Vancouver, to-day urged that some definite- statement on tho Aust-rnlian-Canadian tariff treaty he made. Ho stated that tho trade between the two countries was being affected by the uncertainty prevailing. The Premier, Afr McKenzie King replied that it was hard to say definitely when the negotiations would be concluded. They still wjire continuing concerning certain changes. The Canadian newspapers have printed a dispatch quoting Mr Bruce (Australian Premier) as saying that ho knew of no reason why Canada did not conclude, the tariff agreement. Air McKenzie King, commenting on Ah' Bruce’s remark, said that lie could not understand how Air Bruce mado such a statement, as he must know that cables were passing daily between tho two Governments with regard to tho changes mentioned.

A RADIO RECORD. NEW YORK. April 21. Tt is believed that the world’s record for long distance radio telegraph communications was established between 1.35 and 2.15 o’clock this morning. when messages were interchanged between the Naval Experimental and Research Laboratory in the Bellevue District of Columbia, and Sydney, Australia. The distance is nearly ten thousand miles. The- experiment was conducted, under the direction of the Navy Department. An official announcement declared the test successful. LONDON April 21. Xlic l’ostmastcr-General pointed out that wireless communication by the airship R 33 was seriously impeded bv osc-illiaiion from various receiving sot.s, and has issued a warning that the consequence to aircraft in danger might ho most serious. He warns receivers that the use of reaction to such an extent contravenes tho conditions of their licenses.

U.S.A. FLEET. NEW YORK, April 21. The opposition to the American Fleet’s visit to Australia and New Zealand appears to have been revived in a new form. Rumours have .suddenly become current that President C'ooliilge may cancel, or may modify, the ileot’s proposed Australian and New Zealand itinerary.

It is interesting to note how these rumours spring up. The Australian Press Association received a wireless message from the warship Tennessee, now in Hawaiian waters, saying that a report to this effect was current in the licet, indicating, so one rumour alleges, that only five battleships will ultimately be sent to Australian and New Zealand, and that the same vessels will visit Japan, in order to nullify the Japanese feeling. The Naval Intelligence Office at Washington, commenting on the report, said that there is no present change in the plans.

Various New York newspapers are now printing despatches from A\ ashiiiglou reiterating the same rumours, but iilso pointing otil that there is little likelihood that .President Coolalgo will make an changes in the plans. I hose have heel) so far adt aimed that changes would be mis-inter-proteil. or even would react uulnvourably upon the licet personnel. Some press correspondents intimate that it is leareil that. Australia and New Zealand onthnsiastn at the Meet s reception would he misconstrued b\ Japan, or that impolite utterances during lhe Fleet’s stay would have a had effect ill the Far East.

The host opinion definitely indicates that (he plans will be carried out as announced, without any impotlant mollifications. President. Coolidge may personally reiterate to tin; Japanese Ambassador what the Navy has already made clear, namely, that the cruise is only a technical ninneouvre, without any other purpose. The official Japanese opinion, moreover, seems to have also been definitely convinced ol the sincerity ot this position.