MISCELLANEOUS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1920, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS

{Oy Electric Telegraph—Copyright.; RAILWAY CRISIS. LONDON, Jan. 6. There is a new crisis in regard to the railways. The Government terms for a settlement of the question of standard, ising wages *are proving unacceptable to the men, judging by the voting. The leaders of the Trade Unions are divided as to the outcome. Mr Thomas (Secretary of the A.S. R.S.) and associates, continue trying to get the men to accept the terms. So far at thirty large centres, the railwaymen have rejected the Government’s terms. Only two centres have thus far accepted them. Much importance is attached to tomorrow’s meeting of the railwaymen s delegates. They will decide the matter.

Their conference may last three days, and they will fully discuss the whole matter. It is said another ballot may be tried.

Many of the men hold that they won the last strike and they are of the opinion that they could win another The opposition to the offer is based on the general desire to press the original demand, namely that the 33s bonus should be added to the highest rate of pay of each grade, and the total made the permanent standard of wages.

COMPANIES REGISTERED. LONDON, Jan. 6. Th companies registered in London during the past six months have reached the unprecedented total of 5,415, possessing a capital of £252,000,000. Of these textile and clothing concerns twenty-two; banks and financial companies twenty-two; oil companies twenty; motors eighteen ; food fourteen; insurance ten; and cinemas concerns six.

Forty-eight of the companies have an aggregate capital of twenty millions; compared with 1913, when only twenty otic companies had oyer a million of capital. A number of companies aro based on profit sharing and co-partnery ship schemes,

COLONIAL WINES. LONDON, Jan. 6

The jurors at the Colonial Wine Competitions in the. Brewers Exhibition report that the samples were generally of a good marketable variety and well worthy of competing with the older wine producing countries. Sparkling wines showed a marked improvement, having the same good style and a quality most attractive. CHINESE FINANCE. PEKING, Jan. 6. A Tientsin mssage states that the Chinese Treasury is empty. The Government is pressing the International Bankers Commission for a three million sterling loan,- Tfc is stated that officials are squandering money upon unnecessary troops.

The Southern China leaders continue truculent, as they do not trust the Peking Government, SHAVING AND ANTHRAX. •LONDON, January 6. The Ministry of Health has issued a warning against purchasing shaving brushes from Japan. It is reported that several recent, cases of anthrax, two proving fatal, followed the use of brushes.

ATLANTIC DISASTER -FEARED. LONDON, January 0. On the arrival of the Euripides from Australia., at Plymouth, the captain reported that lie received a succession of 5.0.5., signals from three different vessels on Saturday and Sunday. He lielieved that one foundered. The Tartar Prince responded to the signals from the second while the last call was from a ship hundreds of miles off in tlie Atlantic,.

A UNIQUE PROPOSAL. (Received tliis dnv at 0 25 n.m.l LONDON, Jan. 5,

While no precedent exists fpr the temporary appointment of visiting Royalty as Governor-General, the Colonial Office views sympathetically the suggestion that the Prince of Wales should acf f° r a short period in Australia. If tliis could he arranged with the King’s and Government’s approval, it is admitted it would afford a unique opportunity for a graceful compliment to Australia, but it is pointed out that New Zealand is jointly concctrnpd in the visit.

ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION. 'Received this day at 9.20 a.m.) PARIS, Jan. o. The Antarctic explorer, Charcot, thinks the British South Polar aerial expedition feasible. It would only yield scientific results if able to stay at the pole and fly above it, making magnetic and "geographical aerial discoveries. Ho does not anticipate landing difficulties. The problem is foreseen and solved by the adoption of broad skis affixed to the machine. The real risk will come from wind and snowstorms.

MATTHEWS’ FLY. (Received this sa.y, af 9-30 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 7. A delayed telegram announces that Matthews is leaving Constantinople on 2nd January for Aleppo, having secured a full supply of petrol at Constantinople. ANTI-RADICAL MOVE. (Received this day, at 9.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Jan. 6. The Commissioner of Immigration has requested appropriations totalling 1,450,000 dollars to carry out the nntiRndical campaign.

ADMIRAL JELLICOE. (Received this dav at 9.20 a.m.) WAHJNGTONS, Jan (}. Admiral Jellicoe, speaking at AniiapoJjs ’during his inspection of United States naval college said it was one- of the greatest naval schools in the world. American and British .fleets, he added, can keep the world’s peace. FOOTALL TOUR. (Received This Dav at 12.25 p.mJ LONDON, Jan. 6. The Northern Union Football Council has accepted the offer from New South Wales for an Australian tour.

{ UPSET IRELAND. ■ (Received this day at 12.25 p.m) • DUBLIN, Jah. 6. Owilig to increased attacks on the barracks, Government have decided to supply Lewis guns to the police in South West Ireland, with two expert gunners for each barracks. James Hoey, a prominent Sinn Feiner was arrested recently. He organised an Insurance Coy. to prevent business going to England. An armed party raided the residence of Hibbert, the 'magistrate at Scaritf, County Clare, and wounded a. maid servant. Hibbert returned the fire and wounded a raider. OBITUARY. (Received this day at 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, January 6. i Obituary—Lord Cunliffe.

PAYING OUT. (Received this day at 1.30 p.m.) PARIS, Jan. 4. The Minister for Finance speaking in the Chamber of Deputies, stated France was already able, thanks to Germany, to pay fifteen millard marks for military pensions, and ten niillards for the benefit of the occupied districts.

SCAPA FLOW DECISION. LONDON, Jan. (5. The Admiralty salvage ships carried out extensive soundings at Sea pa Flow, and reported to the Allied Commission, which, guided by the results of the soundings, decided to blow up th® German ships. \