MISCELLANEOUS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 January 1920, Page 4

MISCELLANEOUS.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright ) ANOTHER PHASE. LONDON, January 2. Interviewed in London, Sir Auckland Geddes said that the English manufacturers were not disturbed by the bad position in the United States of the ■English exchange rate. He said, however that it now devolves upon the United States to bolster up the Exchange. Sir A. Geddes also intimated that Britain’s future policy will be to purchase raw materials for manufacturers from the United States while she would secure foodstuffs from the British Dominions Sir George Paish, interviewed in New York said that the United States must extend to England, a large, long time loan, because England was buying in the United States extensively and -reselling practically all she lxnight to Europe. “Bankruptcy,” he said, threatens Europe, if such a loan is not furnished by America.” Sir George Paisji states that the hopes to be able to improve the exchange rate between the United States and Englapd ■

BRITISH SHIPPING. LONDON, January 2. It is now intimated that allowing for the ships received from Germany (250 already and 100 to be distributed JVom South America) together with the results of the British shipbuilding activity, tbc accession of ships have re-established the British shipping supremacy. At present, with the distribution of Gentian ships, the British tonnage totals -5 per cent more than it did before the war. At the same time it is stated to be short of present requirements.

TRADE MOVE. 'LONDON, January 3. The Secretary of the Department of Overseas Trade in an interview. states that the Treasury has sanctioned largo expenditure on a trading scheme. Under this a travelling exhibition of British manufacturers will be held in the principal commercial centres of South Africa, Australasia, Canada, and possibly the Far 'Bast. This exhibition is designed to attract the Dominion buyers, with a minimum amount of expense and convenience to them. It will stay in each centre about six weeks. The tour will last two years. He also referred to measures being taken to develop British commerce amongst foreign nations and said that the German Government bad already realised the success of the British Industries Fair, held last year, and had granted a substantial subsidy to light it. The Daily Mail is forecasting a trade boom in 1920. It states that over 250 mililon sterling of new capital lias been raised for British industrial purposes since armistice.

ENFORCING “DRY” LAW. NEW- YORK, January 3. It is announced that the anti-Sa-loon League of America expects to spend nearly 28 million dollars for the enforcement of Prohibition in the United Stales and li large sum on an extensive crusade abroad. There will bo 2,500,000 spent in Australia, Japan, South Africa and Europe. Eighteen million dollars will bo spent in the United States, and 6,800,000 dollars in the Latin-American countries. The League expects to raise the total sum by popular subscription.

FRONTIER TROUBLE. DELHI, Jan. 1

Advices from Kotkai, dated the 29th of December, state that the principal Mahsud chiefs assembled at Jandora and handed to General Climo a document unreservedly accepting the British terms. Meanwhile General Skeens column has arrived just south of Kotlcai, where the enemy appeared to be lodged in considerable force. These picketing parties worked all day, under a desultory fire, the British guns being busy searching the ridges and valleys beyond. Intermittent sniping now continues. Kotkai itself has not yet been entered by the British.

BORDER TROUBLE. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) KOTKAI, (India), Jan. 2

Owing to the continued resistance of Muso Kahn, who has been reinforced fro the north, thie British picket lias moved out to a ridge north-west of Kotkai. Three enemy attacks were beaten off and heavily punished. We now occupy Kotkai.

FIRE IN ARGENTINE. BCENOS AIRES, Jan 2. A large fire is raging in the Argentine. It coverß thirty miles of territory from Buenos Aires Province to the Pampas territory. It destroyed a large area of wheat before it could he controlled. The fire is believed to be of incendiary origin, arising from the recent Agrarian troubles. LIBERAL DEFEATED. LONDON, Jan. 2. At the Spen Valley bye-election, Sir John Simon (the well-known Liberal) was defeated.