BRITAIN’S IMPORTS. OFFICIAL NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1917, Page 3

BRITAIN’S IMPORTS.

OFFICIAL NEWS.

Misleading Figures

London, Feb 22 Mr Hurd, in tho Daily Telegraph, points out the misleading nature of the Board of Trade returns, as an index of imports because they give money values and not weights. The secretary of the Liverpool Shipowners analysed the figures which showed the ship tonnage that entered British ports for the half year to the end of January, 1917, was 14,750,000 compared with 25,176,000 in January 1914. The weight or. imports was ‘.21,098,000 tons and 29,818,000. The monthly figures show a marked ■diminution on the last quarter of 1916, compared with 1914, 25 per cent in October, 14 per cent in November and 26 per cent in December, Although there are striking increases of money values also, food imports showed a marked decline. Mr Hurd sums up the main cause of .the decreases baa been the decline ■of available tonnage. There must be :» farther restrietiou of unessential imports.

An Escape.

(Received Feb 23, at 12.35 p,m.) New York, Feb 22

Three liners, the Philadelphia, Col* 4io and Canada left Liverpool together under convoy, but parted when twelve

hours oat.

Then the Celtic wirelessed stating she bad struck a mine, bat later she announced that she was safe, and haß returned to Liverpool, The Celtic carried no passenger.

French Report

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter), (Received Feb 23, at 10.20 a.m.) London, Feb 22 French Salonika communique— There was artillery activity ou the whole front, with patrol encounters near Seres and on the Kakukovo front. The aviators were active and had several successful air fights, We bombed, enemy columns near Serea and Lielknh.

Roumanian Report

London, Feb 22

Roumanian communique—There was violent reciprocal artillerying on the northern frontier and Moldavia and Russian front. Our artillery was active elsewhere, disperse ing the enemy and destroying positions,

Russian Report

(Admiralty per Wireless Press)

London, Feb 22

Russian official —A dense enemy attack north-west of Dornawatra failed.

German Report

(Admiralty, per Wifeless Press.)

London, Fab 22

German official—South of Armentieres the British forced their way into out positions, tut we ejected them. We counted 200 British dead.

Between the Daeister and wooded Carpathian, our surprise attacks succeeded, Wa drove back an English attempt east of the Vardar.

A Clever Move

[REUTER’S SERVICE. —COPYRIGHT.J

Madrid, Feb 22

Official —A buoy containing thirtyone cases, with spare parts of German submarines was discovered in the vicinity of Cartagena. Three Germans have befn arrested.

Employing Prisoners

Amsterdam, Feb 22

Herr Groeber informed the Reichstag committee that three-quarters of a million prisoners of war were employed in farm labour. Their number will be increased and the garrisons of occupied territories will be employed on the farms.