GOTTON PROFITS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 February 1917, Page 2

GOTTON PROFITS.

P.re They Toa Big

London, Fab 12

Sir Leo Chiozzo Money asked the president of the Board of Trade, ia view of his expressed desire to ascertain whether price exploitation existed, if he would have inquiry made, and state what was the price at which, sewing cotton was now sold, and if J. and P. Coats (Limited) had just declared a net profit of £3,887,395 forthe year ended 30th Juno, 1916, after allowing for depreciation and the Excess Profits Duty; and in the event of his being satisfied that an undue profit had been made by his firm in time of war, out of the sale of a commodity largely u-'ed by poor people,, if he would exercise the pi wars he possessed to reduce the price of sewing; cotton.

Mr Rnucimaa—l have seen press; statemente to the effect that the profits of the company during 1915-16 are' as stated by my hon friend, and I am. causing inquiries to be made,

1,500 Miles of Mines>

London, Feb 11

Reuter’s correspondent at Amsterdam cables, in reference to the announcement of the new British mine field in the North Sea, that the Rofterdamsche Courant says that it practically coincides with the German danger zone, rvith a radius of 100 miles, of Heligoland is the centre.

Reuter’d correspondent at Paris states that the Temps, commenting on the recrudescence of sufcmatiue activity, says that it will not affect the Allies’ supremacy of the seas. Fresh losses will merely double Germany’s post-war punishment. Admiral von Hofe, in an at tide in the Yossische Zeitung, says that the new gigantic British mine field in the North Sea will not change the situation for the German flset, which mineß did not prevent going to the English coast and Skaggerack when it chose. The Daily News states that the Cabinet is considering tbe question of naval versus mercantile shipbuilding. Meanwhile work will be speeded up in the dock-yards, where khaki dockers will be iuereaeed by 10,000. (A circle of 100 miles radius would have an area of 31,700 miles. This mine field would be, roughly, sstni. circular, and would thus cover about 15,000 square miles.)

To Bolster up the Germons

New York, Feb 11

Special cables to the New York Tribune stile that the Kiiser will make a now peace move to bolster up the German people and thus prepare them for the spring holocaust. The war cannot be slopped, amt a huge spring offensive is inevitable, Tho Allies are ready to the last button, especially cu the \\ eat Front.

The Tribune adds : Britain has a vast air Urol of J 0,000 mechiuos, with

100,060 aviators in training, aiming to rule the air as well as tho sea, on (lie theory that future wars will bo fought in tho air.

South Wales Miners.

(Received Feb 15, at 12.20 p.m.) London, Feb 14

A Conference of South Wales minors rejectei a combing out scheme by 81,300 against 55,600 and then adjourned to «onsult the workmen.

Meanwhile the authorities are to be asked to suspend the operations of medical boards and recruiting depots.

French Report

(Australian & N.Z, Cable Association

and Renter)

A Ftencb communique Btatcs between the Visa and Aisne, in the region of Qaennevilles, we carried out destructive bra on enemy works. There was a fairly lively artillery duel elsewhere. Count Sernstorflf (Received Feb 15, at 9.15 a.m.) New York, Feb 14 Count Bermtoiff has arrived at Hoboken and Las boarded the Frederick VIII. He posed for motion pictures, but declined to be interviewed by reporter?. There were the most stringent police arrangements to prevent unfortunate incidents. Hungary’s Position. v London, Feb 12 A despp.tch to the Morning Post from Budapest says : : — “Since the peace offer was made Kicg Charles has been in constant consultation with his advisers. He saw Count Tisza twice. Count von Berchtold is almost always in attendance, and as ia well known, be has great influence with the Emperor, who considers him the moat able diplomat of the Monarchy, “Among the many and moat difficult problems confronting the Emperor are grave internal conditions, the burning question of man power, ana the ever-lastiog political crisis in Austria.

“In all these super tasks the question of peace seems to occupy first place iu the best minds of the monarchy at present. “ Everybody feels that, unless the peace movement is successful the coming military efforts ae well as the sacrifices demanded of the people will far over-tax their strength and resources and will place the burden on the nation, especially as regards Hungary, which it is unable to bear, and that a collapse will ba inevitable. The newspapers are net allowed although they have tried to say how and why the people long so anxiously for peace.

“ Yesterday almost everyone of the morning papers appeared with the first pages blank, the leading articles having been Censored cut entirely. But they were permitted to describe scenes and conversations and these are quite adequate to reveal what the people feel and what they expect, “It was a common thing a few weeks ago wheo the newspapers announced that a peace offer was made to see people kiss each other in the cafes, while elderly shopkeepers and merchants broke into tears, sang songs in the streets and offered prayers of thanks. They behaved like children out of pure happiness in the hope that their tortures were about coming to an end.”

Archangel Explosion.

M. 0. J. Nedzikhoveky, commercial agent to the Russian Embassy in Washington, has complained to the police headquarters at New York that the recent great explosion in the harbor at Archangel, by which several steamers were destroyed, and .1,008 people killed and injured, was cauaed by bombs concealed in the cargo of one of the vessels before it sailed from Now York, and Samuel Gatter, a junk dealer, of Brooklyn, has been arrested on a charge of beiog concerned in tbs matter. On his premises were found some binoculiis, which the manufacturers identify as pert of a consignment to the Russ’an Government. German Press on the Imperial Conference.

i London Feb 11 f The Kolnisebe Zaitung invitee the ■ closest German attention to the Iml periai Conference, which it designates 8 an “effort to overcome colonial war weariness.'’ The article proceeds. 1 “ What ate the Dominions thinking 1 that the conference will handle ? Under the surface are a series of grave domestic questions which may influence the course of the war. The agreement with Irsland retains its complete uncertainty, Labor is worrying about free-trade, but Imperial and political relatious are most important and most urgent of ail. The conference will settle relations which are of the greatest interest to Germany. “ The Dominions’ feeling towards England has changed visibly since the beginning of ibo war. They have been lately showing signs of independence. Canadian recruiting is at a standstill. ‘-Australia has refused compulsion and is making mild protests against the radical shrieker, Hsrr Hughes, that colonial Lloyd George. “South Africa has her colored problem. Although the thinly populated Dominions dislike the increasing sacrifices of men and money for no apparent gain, they do not want to renounce their duty to the Empire, but demand a share and a different and sharp er control of the Empire’s foreign poidoy. Even the ‘Little Englanders,' oldtime Liberals • •' rmorly waited to cut tbs colon - now realise the necessity for closer bands, and giving them a larger share in Imperial policy.' !