BRITISH AND FOREIGN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18310, 29 July 1921, Page 5

BRITISH AND FOREIGN

FRENCH INVENTOR’S CLAIM.

Frees Awociaticn—By Telegraph—Copyright

PARIS, July 27.

After reducing Esnault Pelterie s aeroplane “joy-stick” claim tb £120,000, it was decided that the final amount to which the claimant is entitled must bo assessed by a committee of experts.—A. and N.Z. Gable.

[A. message' from Paris on October 21 stated that the Court of Cassation finally Jound in favour of Esnault Pelterie, inventor of an aeroplane “joy-stick.”]

TRADE IN FRANCE.

A SUBSTANTIAL RECOVERY,

PARIS, July 27.

For the first time since the war a favourable trade balance is revealed. For the first six months of 1921 the imports totalled 10j milliards of francs, covering 16,000,000 tons. The exports totalled 10J milliards of francs, covering 7,326,000 tons. The imports declined by 1,000,000 francs and 6,000,000 tons compared with the previous corresponding period.—Router.

FRANCE’S DEBT. PRE-BUDGET STATEMENT. PARIS, July 27. M. Doumer’s pre-Budget statement points out that the total debt amounts to 264 milliards of francs. False hopes may be entertained that conquered Germany would bear France’s whole financial sacrifices, but the ohly safe road w.os absolutely to balance the expenditure and the receipts. The military expenditure for 1922 shows a reduction of 500,000,000 francs compared with 1921. A. and N.Z. Cable. AN EVENTFUL CONFERENCE. DELEGATE’S SUDDEN DEATH. PARIS, July 28. (Received July 28, at 5.5 p.m.) A delegate at the Labour Conference at Lille, after delivering a stirring speech on behalf of the Moderates, in which he had to shout continually to obtain a hearing, had an apoplectic seizure, and died. The event had a sobering effect, and inter proceedings were orderly.—A. and N.Z. Cable. AMERICAN PRISONERS IN RUSSIA. THEIR RELEASE DEMANDED. WASHINGTON, July 27. (Received July 28, at 5.5 mm.) Mr Hughes (Secretary of State) has sent a note to the Soviet Government, demanding a release of the Americans imprisoned in Russia.— A. and N.Z. Cable.