BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1927, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS

[by TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] SIR JAMES BARR. LONDON, March 22. “We. of New Zealand are the most independent British race in the universe” declared Sir James Barr, chief guest at a Irfneheon of the English Speaking Union. It was the prelude to a plea for the close association of the Dominions, Britain and United States in the Pacific, where he said they could not afford to dismiss from their minds the proximity and possifdlit ies of five hundred million Chinese and Japanese, lie. paid a tribute to the work of the Pacific movement for dispelling misunderstanding and in fostering a 'better Anglo-American spirit. It was a matter of educating the young people in the right way. He would guarantee the, right result il lie were allowed two years to prepare history lessons for America’s junior high schools. It would destroy the impression created by wrong teaching of historv.

Connolly, presiding, announced the appointment of Sir Granville Ryrie to succeed Sir Joseph Cook as Australian High Commissioner, in London, stating they had got a man worthy of the office.

ANOTHER. CAIRD CASE. LONDON, March 22

The hearing has commenced of Sir J. Caird’s second action against the Federal Steamship Company of New Zealand, asking for a declaration of the validity of the agreement dated 30th. January 1912, for pooling the earnings of certain steamers, and that ten steamers acquired by the defendants after that agreement, l.e made subject to it.

PRAYER. BOOK REVISION

(Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, March 22.

The , final revision of the Prayer Book, which convocations ot the Church Assembly must accent or repeal entirely contains a lengtbv preface, in wiliicli the Bishops explaining necessity for revision declare: “The Book of Common Prayer must always be one of the great books of the world, lint what fitted the 17th. century does not apply in any way to the 20th. The marvel is that so little change is necessary.”

They point out the reservation of sacraments is not a change of doctrine nor is it meant to enable the sacrament to he used otherwise than our Lord appointed. It includes a prayer for the British Empire appealing to God “to draw together in true fellowship of man, the diverse races, languages and customs dwelling therein, working in brotherly concord they would he made to fulfill the purpose Thy Providence set, and forward Thy Everlasting Tv i ngdom.' ’

ECONOMY FAVORED. LONDON. March 23

In the House of Lords, Lord Asquith supporting a motion demanding more drastic economy, said no great reductions were possible for somo years in the pensions Department, Education, and other social services. Economists were hound at present to confine their surgical efforts to £169.000.000 devoted to Imperial Defence and national administrative services. He welcomed Government participation in Mr Coolidge’s Conference and hoped this as well as Lord Cecil's efforts at Geneva would produce good results. Meantime lie appealed strongly to the Government to call a halt in cruiser construction. This could be done in perfect safety, as according to the present programme, Britain at the end of 1930 would have seventy-five cruisers compared with United States twenty-five and Japan’s thirty-two. There was no justification for increased personnel at the War Office and Admiralty in view of the reduptipns.