BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 April 1927, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

L'nv telegraph— -rEn tress association.]

ITALIAN AFFAIRS. ROME. April 29

It is reported Hint the war time Premier, Nitti, will shortly be ilejyrivcd ol bis nationality on account of antinational activities. it.e was .spc-iaHy interviewed by a Belgrade newspaper in which be blamed Britain for unwisely supporting tin Italian nationalist and America for carelessly investing capita! in Italy "a country with tut unstable future.”

DOM IXION IXDUSTRIES. LONDON. April 27. Jit a leading article on the annual meeting of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce, the “Times" points out that it is considering resolutions drawing attention to the co-call" I damage to British trade' owing to the increased Dominions* Customs duties. It declares that the propaganda in favour of the sale of the Dominions' products in Britain is stultified thereby. Nevertheless, it says in view of the tacit assumption that tariffs are preventing British exports, it should be widely known that the figures do not support this suggestion. Last year the Empire countries took 18.7 of the total compared with 37.2 per cent in 1913. WOMEN AND POLITICS. LONDON. April 2L Miss Megan Lloyd George in her first political speech at the Women's Liberal demonstration at Bethnal Green supporting Major Nathan as a prospective candidate, admired bis courage in coining alone to a women's meeting. She said: “ Hitherto men have bad everything their own way. nit. women say no. Further, men 1 1 ways admitted that women outwit them and women were now going to nit-vote them. Men are becoming ner-

N.Z. MAYOR ENTERTAINED. I.ON DON, April 28. Mr Lament. Mayor of Dcvonport. New Zealand, arrived at Plymouth and will be entertained at a civic reception at Dcvonport. He was conducted over the Hood and Audacious at Dcvonport dockyard by a Naval Commander. OFFER TO SPAIN.IXCER. LONDON. April 29. The “ Daily Express,” states that M. Spnhliiiger is now staying m London. “After an exhaustive examination of M, Spahlingers patients, ami an investigation in Switzerland and in Britan.” says the “ Daily Express.” “ wo repeat our former opinion that we do not believe his claims to the discovery Of a cure for consumption.” The “ Daily Express,” in order to obtain n definite proof, proposes flint M. Spablinger should place data at the disposal of eminent doctors, and permit them to make a full and unhampered investigation. If such a Committee reports that M. Spahlinger's claims are justified, even to the extent of showing a hope of effecting cures, the “Daily Express” will itself contribute £IO,OOO towards the prosecution of the peoples of all nations. The “Daily Express.” intimates that feir Thomas Harder, Dr R. A. Young, and Professor Stevenson Lyle Cummins are willing to conduct such an inquiry. FR ANCE'S POPUT.ATJ()N. PARIS. April 28. Official statistics show that France's pre-war population is gradually being restored. It was 40.7 15,090 last year, compared with 39.200.000 in 1920. and 41,470,000 in 1913. There has been a sfiglit. steady increase every year since the war. Contrary to the pomilar belief, the* birthrate lias not strikingly declined, ft was 188 per ten thousand in UNO. compared with 192 per 10.000 in 1914. I.lie infant death rate is still com para tively high, though in twenty departments of France it was below the 192-. J figure.

GOLD BACKING. PARTS, April 28. For tlie first time the Rank of France’s assets include eighteen odd million pounds worth of gold under tlie heading of “free gold and gold availaide abroad.” TWO MILLIONS INHERITANCE. (Received this day at 9.0 a.m.) LONDON, April 29. Miss Fisher, a well known resident of Tunbridge Wells, inherited two million sterling from her uncle. W. F. Tibitts. a Sheffield solicitor, who lived in a small bouse in town liecause lie “couldn’t afford tram fares to the country.”

FitANCO-GERM AN RKCON--01 LI AT! ON. PARIS, April 23. Replying to Herr Stresemann’s congratulations. M. Briand says that, surveying the past twenty-five years, he considers the most productive have been the past two years, in which France and Germany have pursued a common end in the interests of the peace of the world. BRITISH TRADE (,)UF.ST. LONDON. April 29. Sir P. Cuuliffe Lister, at the ban, quot of the Associated Chambers of Commerce, said that British industry needed able men overseas to help them trade there. The British Government had not the slightest intention of abrogating their services, but were considering the possibility of economising at home. TRADE IN lONS DEBATE. LONDON. April 29.

The Government has allotted an exceptionally lengthy period for the second reading debate oil the 1 fade Unions Bill, namely, three and a half Parliamentary days beginning on Monday. when the Attorney-General opens the discussion. Mr dynes (Labour) will immediately move the rejection of the Bill.

The Liberals’ attitude is still somewhat obscure. It will be no surprise if Sir John Simon commended the Bill, but it is expected that rather more than half of the Liberal members of the House of Commons will vote against it on the second reading.

In the meantime, the Unionist Party organisations are not allowing the Labourites to have matters all their own way in the country. One thousand indoor and outdoor meetings in support of flic Bill have already been arranged. Ten Cabinet Ministers including Air Churchill and Lord Birkenhead, have undertaken to address mass meetings. Mr A. Henderson and Mr Citrine, of the Labour Party, are appealing for campaign funds. N.Z. LOAN. LONDON, April 29. The New Zealand loan bears five per cent, interest. The final instalment is payable on 3rd August and first halfyear’s interest on Ist January. 1923.