AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1928, Page 5

AMERICAN ITEMS.

U.S. TARIFF REVISION

(United Press Association -By Electric

Telegraph—Copyrghb)

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5

By agreement among the House of Re'uvsent at i ves, leaders. presumably with the knowledge and approval ol Mr Hoover, wheels were set in mol ion to-day lor the general revision of the tariff which Republicans believe will he undertaken at a special session of congress, before the end of 1020. 1 in* Committee of ways and means passed a resolution for (he beginning of a hearing on fifteen schedules on the tariff law on .June 7. It is intimated that the tariff will lie revised from the bottom upwards, and a completely drawn tariff bill will he ready for sii'bmissioii to a special congressional session.

MR BALDWIN’S REPLY. WASHINGTON. Dec, 4

.Mr llritten fold ihe House Naval Committee that Mr Baldwin’s reply to his cablegram “ooens tin* door" for another disarmament conference. He based his observations on Mr Baldwin's words. “I cordially reciprocate the spirit which inspired your suggestion and f share your earnest desire for a complete understanding between our two countries.”

.Air Britten advised !i is colleagues ho had not trespassed upon any government prerogatives by a direct appeal to Air Baldwin. He said lie aimed only to further the desires of the pul dir* of the Pnited States. Ragland and other nations. for relief from armament difficulties and the avoidance of a naval competition race and had sought to promote (hose endin’ getting another arms conference. The Mouse Commttee unanimously snpooried Air Brilien's proposal foi a conference and adopted a resolution liv Representative Vinson that ‘‘the Committee reiterates its often express, ed desire and extend f>—s —ll ral.t 1 principle of flu* Washington AgreeiniMit to all classes of naval ships.” Representative Andrew said that the adoption of the resolution would not impede the Cruise] - Mill pending in the Senate. AIR Hit ITT EX SATISFIED. (Received this day at 1 ‘2.25. p.m.) WASH IXCTOX. December ft. The House passed and sent to the Senate the nine million dollars Omnibus Xaval Housing Bill. The largest item authorised was 1.(00,000 dollars for Renrl Harbour. Hawaii, of which 1 .t’OO.OOO is lor waterfront development and and 500,000 for improving the channel and harbour. I he authorisation is designed to enable housing facilities to keep pace with aviation and other expenses ol the service*. With Xaval Committee on record lavoiiring the extending of the s—s—l ratio beyond major battle era It, Air Britten said he hopes to gather legislators from tlie United States, Britain. Fiance. Italy, and Japan in conjunction with the Inter-Parliamentary Union for a session at Coneva next August. He said lie desires to see such a conference or union of delegates in the event the powers themselves do not. move ior another arms rcduelion session. In the meantime. Air Bril ten was manifestly cheered by Air Baldwin’s response to his suggestion, which indicated the Premier’s appreciation of the spirit of the promoter in his cablegram. He would agitate a proposal for a British-American conterciice at present. “It is not up to the other fellow,” he said.

The House Naval Committee, by the adoption of a motion concerning the ratio signified complete approval ol his hopes for a conference, although the Commit lee did not agree with the method of approaching -Mr Baldwin outside of diplomatic channels.

A. DENIAL

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5

The State Department denies that Hugh Gibson, United States delegate i„ the Geneva Disarmament Conference was responsible for the AngloFrench naval" accord as suggested by M. Briand in Paris.

U.S. AFFAIRS.

NAVAL EXPENDITURE

{Receiver this day at 0.25. a.m.) WASHINGTON, December 5.

'Fhe House passed, without recording a .vote, a bill authorising modernisation, including elevation ol guns, on (he battleships Pennsylvania and Arizona, at a cost not to exceed 14,800.000 dollars. The hill now goes to the Senate. It is authoritatively stated that opposition to the pact appeared in committee, initiated by Senator Reed, of Missouri, who forced calling on Mr Kellogg on Friday. The opposition is based on the ground that the treaty “would lead United States ...to the World Court by a hack door.” t is belmved that further hearings will be sou til it after Mr Kellogg testifies, thus delaying Mr Borah’s plan for an immediate and favourable report to the Senate.

CANADIAN ATTACK

ON AUSTRALIAN TREATY

OTTAWA, December 5

A message from Victoria, states, sneakim-- in support of the candidate. Mr D. lb Pluiiket. yesterday Mr K. Bennett (Conservative leader) made the first direct attack on the Australian Treaty. Tie claimed that under the Treaty, because of the dumping chiuse, no butter was admitted to Canada yet the pact extended to New Zealand from which country theie were on order to-day 250,000 cases.

Referring to lumber export, he said Australia bought .•150,000,000 million feet yearly, but only fifty million came from Canada. Lumber was not in the treaty, so Canada got no preference, lie appealed for the economic independence of Canada. Ho admitted prosperity. tint claimed the conditions were unhealthy.

THE 5—5—3 RATIO

WASHINGTON, December 5

ft is considered the Kellogg Treaty will he deterred to-day by the Senate Foreign .Relations Committee, until Friday, when Mr Kellogg lias been asked to appear. The Naval Committee of the House adopted a resolution expressing a desire to bate the flic, five, three ratio extended to ships not specified by the Washington Conference.