BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1925, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

[Reuter Telegrams.] WHEAT TRADE IN BRITAIN. LONDON, Decemher 13. The ramifications of the wheat trade in Britain were exhaustively investigated by the Food Council. Several witnesses admitted the Russian estimates were wholly inaccurate. At first they had the effect of reducing prices, but when the truth was revealed that Russia could not export lor some time, the market was aliened in the

opposite direction. Present prices we*e (too high.

Lord Vanbiirgh. on behall of the Dreyfus Company, gave evidence that actual shipments I nun Russia were only one-tenth of what was promised, and tin* bulk nt the < outruns had since been cancelled on the Soviet’s orders, whereupon the market turned and Canada took full advantag of the position. Deficiencies in Australia, Argentine and the Fulled States made Europe almost wholly dependent upon Canada.

Sir A. Robson, the Government's wartime purchaser, referring to the reduced estimates from Australia and the Argentine, said the prospetive oversupply had changed to such a position that unless everybody economised there would not he .sufficient wheat to go round. ATHLETES TO MEET. .LONDON. Dec. 10. A conference of delegates from French and Herman Athletic Associations held at Lausanne, decided that France and dermanv • should immediately resume pre-war relations in the domain of athletics. The first meeting of French, Herman and Swiss athlete? will lie held in Switzerland next August, the second between the French and Hermans in the same mouth at Paris, and French athletes no to Germany in 1028.

BULGARIA AND HREECE. ATHENS. Dee. 10. The Premier (M. Pangalos) announced that Greece was willing to pay damages, but refuses to nay the special additional penalty which the League imjioscd to meet the oxjienses of the Bulgaria n occupat i(nn. THE CHINESE WAR. TOKItt. Dec. 10. Tt is officially stated that Chnngtsolin and Kiiosungliu will lie notified by Japanese that no fighting will bo permitted within six miles of the capital. All Consuls have requested Japan to take all steps to protect foreigners in the capital. Japanese troops have been instructed to maintain absolute neutrality. It is explained that the Portsmouth Treaty allows Japan approx imnelfv fifteen thousand railway guard? in Manchuria, but even with reinforcements the total will only be eight thousand. Japanese do not expect, Cluing to attempt to refuge in Mukden, even as a private citizen, ns his life would he endangered by the Chinese, but he will probably flee to Dairen or other Japanese ferrilnrv, if defeated. Official advices indicate Chang’s mercenary troops are near revolt. Numerous lootings are reported, and the ,strictest measures have been deemed necessary to prevent the loss of lives and property of nationals and foreigners. It is stilted Chang previously roriiiovod most of the arms and munitions from the arsenal. DOMINION 11 EPR ESEXTATIOX. (Received this day at 0.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dee. 17. The system of Dominion representation in London is again occupying a section of tlie South African Press whose lampaign for a drastic alioraI ion is strongly supported by .Mr Duncan. General Smuts and the Minister for the Interior. Each High Coiiiniissiimcr. says Mr Duncan, should have the stains and functions of an ambassador, instead of being as at. present, a. combination of glorified commercial ire'cller and a, inure or less affable handshaker who is supposed to ask their own Dominion visitors how they like London. The ’'Rand Daily Alail” in sharing this opinion urges that the problem is one for common Dominion action and expresses the hope that the nextimperial Conference will arrive at a complete agreement in regard to the necessity for such a change.

If tilings are allowed to drill as they are now, the “Mail” adds, Mr Duncan and the British Commonwealth of Nations will assuredly be reduced to nullity.