MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 January 1919, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.

fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] A POLICE SEIZURE. LONDON, January 15. The police seized Sinn Fein revolters and ammunition at Cambentown.

LABOUR’S DEMANDS. LONDON, Jan. 16

The Miners Federation passed a resolution at Stockfort demanding that mines, railways and shipping be retained under State control.

AN AIR JOURNEY. LONDON, Jan 12

The Handley Page machine which arrived in India is Macewan’s four enginod giant, cabled on Dec. 23rd. Tho journey lasted a month and they experienced bad weather throughout. A fog delayed the early stages.

THE LIBERAL LEADER LONDON, Jan. 16,

Hon. H. 11. Asquith in a letter to the National Liberal Federation said the recent election was held in conditions under which the new House couldi not be regarded as representing a considered judgment. The electoral result was that the unionists wore masters of the Parliamentary situation. He was of opinion that it was imperative for the Liberal Party to preserve its identity, independence and activity for the problems of the now era of social and; industrial developments. I don’t raise narrow, conventional party issues, hut the old tried faith in Liberalism ought to contribute importantly to their solution.

PORTUGUESE RISING ENDED. LISBON, Jan. 1,7. Rebels at Santander surrendered after a heavy bombardment. The revolutionary. rising has ended. A SHOOTING AFFRAY. LONDON, Jan. 17. Four Maori soldiers have been de tabled in connection with a shooting affair in Bloomsbury, in which a soldier and a woman were wounded.

MORE TONNAGE FOR N.Z. LONDON, Jan. 19. The Shipping Controller has informed Sir T. MacKenzie that the shipping position as regards produce was now much eased. The refrigerated and other tonnage would shortly be increased.

SHIPPING CONSTRUCTION. LONDON, Jan. 17. “Lloyd’s Register” states that 424 merchantmen, aggregating 1,979,052 tons were under construction in the United Kingdom at the end of December. Ferro-concrete vessels are not in eluded in this. Allied and neutral countries are constructing 17(55 vessels, aggregating 4,932,017 tons. Kirkcudbrightshire which arrived at London dock from Australia via New York is the first sailing ship to arrive at the Thames since being permitted to enter the danger .zone again.

CON TR ACTS TA KEN O V EH. LONDON, Jan. 18. Lord Inchape and Mr. Phillips state that they have taken over the contracts for all standing ships from the Government. They state they will distribute them as equitably as possible as they do not intend to make any profit of to favour their own companies. They will retain, absolute discretion respecting the allotments. Shipowners are asked by thorn f-o make general applications by the 24th of January. Specific applications will be considered thereafter, without delay.

The steamers will not be subject to the requisitions at blue book rates, but if the Government wishes to charter them, tonus will be naturally arranged. Otherwise tlie vessels will bo on the same footing as other privately owned ships. It, is estimated that tho aggregate cost on the ships will be twenty mb-

it is also anticipated that Lord Inchape and Air. Phillips will easily dispose of all of the vessels.

FIRST AEROPLANE POST. ~ LONDON, Jan. 19. The first aeroplane' post flight carried despatches from London to cisailles in 106 minutes, and returned under two hours.

INCREASED COAT, PRICES. LONDON, Jan. 19. ft has been estimated that the concession demands of the Coal Miners Conference, would mean an increase in coal prices of 3s 5d per ton. CHOLERA IN INDIA. BOMBAY, Jan. 19. Cholera is prevalent in the city. There were 130 deaths in Bombay in the fortnight up to 4th January. EXCESS PROFITS TAX. LONDON. Jan. 19. The “Manchester Ouardian” says that probably the next Budget will entirely remove the excess profits tax. AMERICA GOING DRY. WASHINGTON, January 19. A feature of national prohibition ;s the rapidity or its accomplish men t in twenty States which have gone dry since the beginning of the year. The Prohibitionists principal weapon was Major- General Wood’s testimony that it was a benefit in the army zone.

PACIFIC CABLE. LONDON, January 17. The Pacific Cable Board receipts for

the voar were £411.001. and expenditure' £298,973. After paying £77.544 interest and sinking fund 011 capital, also £9150 renewal fnrnl there remains a balance of £25,393. which is to be applied to reduction of the outstanding balance of capital advanced to the Company. There was transmitted during the year seven and a. half million paying words international traffic, and six hundred thousand free words relating to wounded soldiers.