BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1926, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

{Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] EMPIRE TRADE. LONDON, August 12. That there lias been a substantial increase in the proportion of tlio Mother Country’s exports taken by tho Empire in the past thirteen years—namely from 37.2 per cent in 1913 to 41.5 per cent in 1926—was mentioned by Mr A. Flux, Assistant Secretary of the Statistical Department of tho Hoard of Trade at the concluding sitting of the British Association. Ho said that tho apparent conclusion was that the restoration of the world trade to its former dimensions and the capacity for extension could do more to restore the British export trade and the dependent British industries than could any struggle to secure for tho British exporters the trade which had been carried on by some other nation,, notwithstanding the importance of maintaining our competitive capacity^ THE RHINELAND. ' PARIS, August 12. The Rhineland Occupation forces are about to be greatly reduced. FRENCH WOOL IMPORTERS. PARIS, August 12. “ l.e Petit Parisien ” states the Cbaniber of Commerce at Toureoiug lias requested the Government to intervene diplomatically against the action of the British firms conducting credit operations with* the French wool importers. It is stated it is demanded of the importers that the goods should henceforth be insured against maritime risks in sterling with British companies. The Chamber complains that, compliance with this demand would ruin the French maritime insurance, companies.

.JAPANESE DISASTER. TOKIO, August 12. Owing to the sudden collapse of a. bridge crowded with merrymakers,, wafelling a local lantern festival, over fifty are missing at Nojiromachi, in Northern Japan. Tho recent heavy rains swelled the river. Only a few were rescued before the rapid current swept off tho remainder. STORMS IN BRITAIN. I ' LONDON, 0 Aug. 12. Fierce thunderstorms have been experienced in many parts of Britain, and were accompanied in London by torrential rain and hail. Seven houses were struck by lightning. THEFT OF FAMOUS PICTURES. MADRID, Aug. 11. Three famous pictures by Vandyck, valued at forty thousand pounds sterling; also Velasquez’s picture “Christ Crucified,” valued at £8,700 and a Titian valued at £27,000 have all mysteriously disappeared from the house of Senor Isidor Urzaiz, one of the richest Spanish collectors. Senor Urzaiz is at present in San Sebastian. A steward on entering bis Madrid residence found only three discarded picture fitanies. Other treasures there were left untouched. Thero are no signs of a forcible entry.