MISCELLANEOUS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1919, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS.

(By Electric Telegraph—Cony right.: fAUSTRALIAN A N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION]

THE GOLD INDUSTRY

RESULT OF RESTRICTIONS. LONDON, May 28,

Commenting on a cablgram from Sydney, forecasting a crisis in the gold industry, city, experts emphasise that the Government restrictions, fixing an artificial value, are responsible for the whole situation. They state that the remedy is largely in Australia’s own hands, and that London and other markets must bo freed in order to ensure sales at real market values, Official negotiations now proceeding may result in an amelioration of the position. | COAL NATIONALISATION SHELVED (United Service Telegrams). LONDON, June 25. Tlie differences of the Coal Commission will probably result in the shelving ; of the project For national control on • which a Government majority in the : Commons is believed at present to be unobtainable, in face of the conflicting reports presented. Only the Labourite section favour full nationalisation. ULTIMATUM FROM FOCH. VIENNA, June 24. Bela Ivun, the Hungarian leader, accepted Marshal Foch’s ultimatum demand a cessation of hostilities in the Czecho-Slovaks’ territory within four days, A PETROL MONOPOLY. (Received This Dav at 8 a.m.) PARIS, June 27. Government bare submitted a bill making petrol a Government monopoly, yielding U, millions sterling annually.

A RESIGNATION . (Received This Dav at 8 a.m.) PARIS, June 27. Morrison a member of the American Baltic Commission lias resigned, as the ( result of an exchange of notes botiveonj the Allies and Koltehak. Morrison j feels that Russia cannot he restored or reconstructed on a democratic basis, by supporting a dictator in Siberia. It is believed that other resignations are imminent, TRIAL OF TRAITORS. IVAIt EPISODES, (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) PARIS, June 26. The most remarkable court-martial on record has begun. Twenty-five prisoners, described as informers of Laon of whom twenty are French, including twelve women, four Germans, and one Belgian are arraigned for treason and spying. The chief is a German named Thomas Palsatian, who acted in Laon ns head of the secret agency. His chief business was to unearth stray Allied soldiers and induce the French to spy on one another. Most of the other prisoners were his dupes or agents, j Scores were shot as the result of the I gang’s denunciation, and many others were imprisoned. Thomas was arrested in Paris and he supplied the authorities with information of those in Germany, during the occupation of Laon. The most notable of tlie prisoners is Togue an ex-Colonial Administrator who betrayed many companions.