GENERAL ITEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17321, 22 May 1918, Page 5

GENERAL ITEMS

COAL FOR SWITZERLAND. GERMAN MISREPRESENTATION. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. Ti . «. „ PARTS, May 20. It is officially announced that France lias offered Switzerland 850,000 tons of coal a month, at 150 francs per ton against, the German; demand for 180 francs per ton. The Swiss Government originally -welcomed France's offer, but ultimately, under German pressure, refused it, and made fresh arrangements for coal with Germany. Notwithstanding this, France is still keeping lier offer open, in order to avoid the Swiss factories having to close, resulting in misery for the Swiss workpeople. France denies Germany's assertion that she is threatening an economic -war on Switzerland. ALLEGED NEW ZEALAND SHIRKER. ARRESTED AT SYDNEY. SYDNEY, Mav 21. A stowaway giving his name as Gibson, but known to the police as Ge-orgo Caffery, wa e arrested aboard a steamer at Newcastle at the request of the New Zealand authorities for attempting to evado military service. */ • AUSTRALIAN DELEGATES. TO LOOK AFTER PACIFIC ISLANDS. MELBOURNE, May 21. Mr Watt, Acting Prime Minister, speakmg at Armadale, said that Messrs Holies and Cook had gone to London chieflv in regard to the future of the captured German territory in the Pacific, which must not be permitted to return to Germany. AFTER-CARE OF THE WOUNDED. INTER-ALLIED CONFERENCE. LONDON, May 20. (Received May 21, at 8 p.m.) An Inter-allied Conference on the aftercare of disabled eoldiers and sailors was opened by the DuJc© of «Connaaght ? "who «ud ho hoped the conference would result in much alleviation of the pain and sufferings of the wounded, and in the re-estab-lishment of them in civilian life. All the allied countries and dominions were reoresontcd. BRITISH FOOD CONTROLLER. H.TS RESIGNATION WITHDRAWN. LONDON, May 20. (Received May 21, at 8 p.m.) The Press Bureau reportsAt the Prime Minister's request Lord Rhondda lias withdrawn his resignation as Food Controller. He will be unable to resume his duties for a fow weeks, and Mr Clynes %vi!l act m the meantime. INVITATION TO EMPIRE PRESSMEN. INSPECTION OF BRITISH WAR EFFORTS. LONDON, Mav 20. (Received May 21, at 8.30 p.m.) The Minir,try of Information i 6 inviting leading editors and newspaper proprietors throughout the Empire *to assemble in London and spond o month in tite intimate inspection of British war efforts, visiting the front, the navy, oxid v*y-k----shops, and meeting statesmen and leaders of the navy, and ajmy.