BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1926, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.]

COMMERCIAL. ■ LONDON, July 23. Foreign exchanges are Brussels 202, Paris 206. At the wool sales there was a poor offering. Merinos prices were unchanged, good selection of crossbreds firm at full late rates. A CONFERENCE,. 'AMSTERDAM, July 23. Australia was represented by a dozen delegates and New Zealand by seven at the opening of the fourth biennial conference of the International Federation of University of Women at which twenty-seven countries arc represented.

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 24. The Colonial Office lias not received replies from all the Dominions concerning the postponement of the Imperial Conference to 19th October hut anticipate there are sufficient to enable Air Raldwm to make the announcement in the Commons bn Monday. ' It is authoritatively stated no suggestion was ever officially received from Canada, that s'he did not desire to attend the Conference. The first suggestion from the Canadian Governinent was that it desired a short delay of meeting, pending tlio results, of the elections, but not suggesting whether it be a week, fortnight or three weeks. The Colonial Office thereupon suggested a fortnight, which awaits approval from the Dominions.

NEW SILVER COINAGE. LONDON, July 25

There is a prospect of a change in British silver coinage, says the “ Observer. ” The Royal Mint has already struck two complete trial sets designed by different artists. Sir Oman states some designs are absolutely original and others have not been seen since y the seventeenth century. MISSING PLANS. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 25. The “Sunday Express” understands the Portsmouth police have sought the aid of Scotland Yard concerning the plans of machinery for the cruiser Suffolk (cabled on February 16th) and believed to .have been copied. DUKE OF YORK. LONDON, July 25. - The Duke and Duchess of York will attend an evening party given by Sir J. and Lady Cook at Australia House on Tuesday.

BISHOP ON TOUR. LONDON, July 25

Tlie Bishop of London leaves on Thursday on a world tour. He said lie would be in Australia and New Zealand from February sth until -April 3rd. He was very anxious to see the work of the Cluircfh of England Council of Empire Settlements. . APPEAL TO PAY. PARIS. July 24. The Council of Miners has issued a pressing appeal to the Public to pay this year’s taxes immediately without waiting for the customary notices. OBITUARY. LONDON, July 23. Obituary.—Reginald Horsley Sur--geon, traveller and author, aged sixtythree. DIED AT SUVA . SUVA, July 23. Airs Spencer, of Hawera, a .passengei by 'the Tofua, digd last night at the Suva Hospital from heart failure, following an attack of bronchitis.

CHINESE BOYCOTT. (Received this day at 9.0 a.m.) HONG KONG July 25,

During the course of a reply to the Canton delegations assertions, the British delegation argued that the boycott of British trade is not a, voluntary abstention from commercial relations with the British, but is imposed on an unwilling people by a small but po"CiCnl organisation, maintaining tlie boycott by force of arms, and who would not hesitate to shoot their own fellow countrymen when the latter try to continue normal relations. The British delegation entered an indignant protest against the attempt by means of unscrupulous propaganda to throw the blame on the Government of Hong Kong and tlie British nation, and adds that the Government of Hong Kong is prepared to assist in the development of those provinces which the colony is brought into immediate contact.

CHINESE AFFAIRS. CANTON, July 25. A conference, with a view to or or- , coming Anti-British, boycott, failed to arrive at a settlement, but the British delegation later stated that they were prepared to agree to a settlement on the basis of an Industrial Loan for the development of Canton, conditionally on a low line being built connecting Canton, Hankow and Canton-Ivowlon railways, with a provision for employment. The British engineer-in-chief and the British chief accountant intimated they were ready to consider alternative industrial enterprises. The Chinese delegation replied that they must have time to consider the proposal and .would refer it to the Canton Government.

MEXICO'S RELIGION. MEXICO CITY, July 23. All the religious services and the withdrawal of priests in Mexican Roman Catholic Churches, will become effective at the end of J nly, as a protest against the new religious regulations,