SECRET TALKS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20077, 25 October 1939, Page 11

SECRET TALKS

CHIEFS OF NAZIS

END OF CONFERENCE

“PEACE” OFFER ECHO

“BRUTALLY REPULSED”

OUTSTRETCHED HAND

(Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Oct. 24, 3 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 23.

The Berlin correspondent of the British United Press states that the Nazi party leaders have returned home after the secret talks with HenHitler, whom they supposedly informed of local opinion in their respective areas. The official German news agency in Berlin denies that Germany is likely to present new peace proposals. “The German conditions can be only those which Herr Hitler stated in iris Reichstag speech when Britain brutally repulsed the Fuehrer’s outstretched hand,” stated the agency. “Germany has not the least cause to take the initiative in setting forth new conditions for peace.”

FIXED WOOL PRICES

PLIGHT OF MERCHANTS

FULFILLING CONTRACTS

ASSISTANCE OF BOARD

(Reed. Oct. 24, 2.40 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 23

On the Bradford market, the 'new maximum wool prices were operating to-day. The Wool Control Board fixed the buying prices of 64’s at 29d, and the issue price for the home trade at 31i|d. It will be a serious position for merchants and topmakers whose position has been oversold.

Sir Harry Shacldeton states while it is necessary to take over ail stocks, whether sold or unsold, it is the intention as far as possible to enable merchants to fulfil existing contracts. The Control Board hoped to maintain the new schedule of prices until February 29.

The Government is not short of wool, but has no surplus and is just as desirous as the trade to distui'b the normal channels of business as little as possible. ✓ Sir Harry Shackleton urged, in view of the record national consumption, that the civil trade should economise to the extent of 10 per cent. The control board did not desire to restrict export business; on the contrary, it would do its utmost to facilitate it.

HOURS IN OPEN BOAT

ATHENIA SURVIVORS DUNEDIN WOMAN’S STORY (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. Wiry, despite her 72 years, Mrs. A. Oliphant, Dunedin, a survivor of the Athenia disaster, has returned to New Zealand after an experience which, she says, site is anxious to forget. In an open boat crowded with women and children, many of whom were seasick, she spent 12 hours before being rescued. At one’stage in an effort to keep the boat head on to the sea, she took an oar end earned the admiration of those less able to help. “I was not able to pull very hard.” she admitted, “but I was anxious to do something. The boat was rudderless and 1 was tossed in the trough of the sea. When ihe Athenia was struck by a German torpedo, Mrs. Oliphant was in the library reading after dinner. Some of the passengers were still in the dining-room, but a considerable number had gone to ‘bed. “Like others, I escaped with what I was wearing,” she said. While she did not see the submarine, many other passengers did, and it was an ordeal throughout the night knowing that an enemy craft was ip the vicinity. Mrs. Oliphant praised the people who provided comforts and clolhi.-ig for the survivors when they landed in Scotland.

“DOOR LEFT OPEN”

CONGRESS PARTY STAND STATUS OF INDIA (Reed, Oct. 24, 2.50 p.m.) BOMBAY, Oct. 2.3. Mahatma Gandhi, in a statement, said the declaration by the Viceroy Lord Linlithgow, concerning the future status of India had not had ai irrevocable effect and added that the moderation of the resolution passed by the committee of the Indian Con-' gress Party leaves the door open.

WAR OF THE SAAR

MARKED ACTIVITY THE WESTERN FRONT (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 3 p.m. RUGBY, Oct. 23 An official French evening communique states: “There was marked activity on the part of the elements in contact on the Western Front, more particularly in the region, west of the Saar.