BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1921, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT

RATE MONEY SEIZED

. LONDON, January 5. Bodies of Republican police raided

the houses of the Dublin rate collectors, and seized all cite*! ll6B ra 4 eß payable to the Dublin County Council, which the local Government Board demanded should be held on their account. Tho raiders then sent couriers to cash the cbequjes, receiving selveral thousands Xterling, and only released the rate colwhen the cheques had been cash- . ed.

RESTRICTION ON APPLES

LONDON, January 7

The Food Controller announces that restrictions on the sale of apples "ill terminate on March 31st.

POLITICS OR RELIGION?

LONDON, January 7

Four Anglican clergymen in Dover, including a rural Dean, also Wesleyan Primitive Methodist, Congregational, Baptist, Unitarian and many other clergymen in outlying districts of the electorate, are issuing a joint letter, advising thoste looking to them for leadership and counsel not to vote for Sir Thomas Poison, the so-called antiwaste candidate, whom his first wife divorced in 1897. LABOUR AND LLOYD G-EORG'R. LONDON, January 6. The Labour Party have decided ihst they will not he represented on Mr Lloyd George’s unemployment commit"V tee which is to sit daily to consider the problem. •

ANOTHER LONDON RANK FAILS

LONDON, January 6

The British and American Continental Bank (formerly Lannevig’s hank) has suspended business. It was chiefly concerned with America n-Scandinavian commerce. Its failure is not regarded as important.

“FREEMAN’S JOURNAL.”

LONDON, January 7

The directors of the Dublin paper “Freemans Journal,” have been released for good unconditionally. Tins is or the grounds of health.

JAPAN’S AMBITIONS

LONDON, Jan 7. The “Morning Post's’ Tokio corresp undent expresses the opinion that any discussion of Japan’s ambitions must take into account Oriental diplomatic strategy. He says that when e Japan was ready to enter the war, with the German islands as the price of her cooperation, # it was not with the specific purpose of menacing Australian or -American territory; but she hoped r- thereby to obtain something that she wanted more, and which her rivals are more likely to concede. Thus, In- demanding racial equality at Versailles, Japan got the Marshall Islands

and the succession to the German rights in China. She does not want the S< i“' Islands for naval bases (he says), or as territory, hut as hostages for the future. If Australia or America dislike Japan's presence there, they are more likely to concede something she wants much more, namely"; an outlet for her population, and that possibly, by giving her a free, hand in Asia. The threat of building a big Japanese navy might promote the same ambition.

BRITISH COAL PROBLEM

LONDON, Jan. 7

The Hoard of Trade, tho Coal Owners and the coal miners made with a view to controlling the coal industry at an early date, possibly the beginning oi February. It is understood that the miners are willing to accept the principle of an offer from the owners of a new wage basis to supercede the settlement ofOctober last, after the strike.

LORD MILNER RESIGNS. V . LONDON, Jan (i. It is understood that Lord Milner is resigning. His letter of resignation has in the hands of Mr Lloyd George smell November, when lie asked leave to retire, owing to failing health and pressure of private affairs, but Cabinet desired him to remain in office until the future of Egypt was settled. Apparently the settlement is too far off, for this hope to he realised. Mr Austin Chamberlain may succeed him nt-tho Colonial Office, the Rt. Hon Montague becoming Chancellor, i jt is expected that a new Department will be created in the Colonial Office, taking over control of Mesopotamia and Palestine.

CONAN DOYLE

LONDON, Jan 0. Sir Arthur Conan writing in the “International Psychic Gazette referring to his “ups and downs m Australia,” says: “Among the “downs” ms a press boycott. This has been partially by an ignorant want ot PniMortion, and partly by moral cowaid a fear of finding out later that they had backed the wrong horse, or of giving the wrong horse fair play, lhey are very backward, and are far behind countries like Iceland and Denmark in their knowledge of what has been done in spiritualism. They are dear folk, those Australians; but, Lord, they want spirituality and dynamiting out of their grooves. The Presbyterians actually prayed that I might not reach the country! This way of acting is rather near "» murder. That is, if they really thought their rotten prayer would avail. The result, however, was an excellent voyage. It is the unliveliness and spiritual deadness of this place that gets on my nerves. OBITUARY. (Received this day at 9.30 n.m.) LONDON, January 7. Obituary—Sir William Peterson, former principal of McGill university, Montreal.