MISCELLANEOUS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 January 1920, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS

*tfy Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

RAILWAY TROUBLE.

LONDON, January 13. There will be an .interview this afternoon between Sir E. Gcddes, Mr Home (Labour Minister), and a Committee of the Rail way men, and railway company representatives. The men’s delegates are submitting the considerations which have led to their conference’s resolution to reject the Cabinet wage terms.

Subsequently the position will be discussed at a. meeting of the Cabinet. The Cabinet postponed a meeting from this morning in order to await Mr Bouar Law’s return from Haris.

There appeal’s to be a conciliatory spirit on both sides. The railway delegates express a readiness to meet the Government by going a considerable way if the latter will only manifest a disposition to reopen the discussion. It is not anticipated, however, that the Government will give way much on the main principles.

A later report on the railway difficulty states that following the railwaymen’s interview with Sir E. Geddes the Ministry of Transport has issued a statement that Mr Thomas (A.S.R. Secretary) and other representatives of the National Union of Railwaymen fully explained the men’s reasons for their rejection of the Government terms offered.

Sir E. Geddes promised to lay the matter before the Cabinet immediately and he arranged to meet the railwaymen’s representatives to-morrow afternoon to announce the Government’s answer. WOOL SALES. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, January 12.

Tlie wool sales opened firm, with merinos five per cent above the December closing rates. At the wool sales 10,648 bales were catalogued of which 3,785 were from New Zealand. There was an excellent selection of merinos, biut crossbreds were indifferent. There was .a large attendance and good all round competition for merinos generally about five per cent over December depressed closing rates. - Fine medium crossbreds were poorly represented and somewhat irregular.

AUSTRALIA’S COMMISSIONER. (Received This Day at S a.m.) LONDON, ' January 12. It is understood that Hon. A. Fisher has not been approached with a view to terminating liis position as High Commissioner before bis term expires.

TROUBLE IN SYRIA. (Received This Day at 8 ami.) CAIRO,. January x2

Latest news from Syria shows that the situation is exceedingly grave. There has been serious fighting between French and Syrian volunteers at Margyun,. where the casualties on both sides were heavy; also at Tallkalakh where French troops are reported to have suffered severely. There has also been fighting at Alexandretta. and other places along the line of demarkation of the French zone. A National Defence Committee has been found at Damascus for enforcing compulsory

military service on everybody. The committee has issued a manifesto against all foreign intervention. Women are enrolling as combatants.

COMMERCIAL. LONDON, January 12. Shares —Waihi’s buyers 47/6, sellers 50/-; P. and O. £620, to £640. WE'STRAiLIAN LOAN. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, January 12. The Westralian loan has been imderwritteu, the prospectus is to be issued on Wednesday. The market is very favourable. FOREIGN EXCHANGE. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, January 12. Foreign rates of exchange are:—On Paris 4185; Stockholm 1770; Christiania 1885; Calcutta 27*; Montreal 406; New York 374 J .

BUTTER. PRICES. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, January 12. It is expected that retail prices of imported butter will be raised probably to 2/8 per when control of home made is shortly removed. A MISSIONARY CAPTURED. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) PEKIN January 14. It is reported that Doctor Sheldon, a missionary has been captured by bandits in Tooyhanan and is held for ransom.

JAPAN’S ATTITUDE. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON January 12.

The “Daily Express” Tokio correspondent interviewed Premier Hara who considers the hitch regarding Australia and the Pacific Islands is easily adjustable. Japan does not object to Australia receiving the mandate but considers the mandate’s tone is unsatisfactory. Japanese traders at present I are treated worse than under German ownership. Japan cannot accept such a position and hopes that Britain will I secure an amendment. Japan has no I territorial ambitions in Siberia and " ill not take an inch of Russian territory, and will withdraw every soldier tho I moment the Bolshevik menace is reI moved. Japan wishes to act in harI motiy with America and tlio Entente, I hut cannot permit a Bolshevik danger jat her door. Apart from this, Japan I refuses to embark on extensive military intervention.

CLAIMS AGAINST GERMANY. (Received this day at 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, January 12,

Margate, Ramsgate, and other Thanet towns are claiming through the Government, half a million sterling from Germany for damage caused during the air raids, and losses suffered by boarding bouse keepers and fishermen.

A SERIOUS CHARGE. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON January 12. Fourteen youths were arrested at Queenstown charged in connection with the attack on the police at Carrigtwohill, oabled on the sth.

UNWANTED GERMANS. (Received this day at 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, January 12.

Government are taking steps to prevent German invasion of Britain consequent oil the ratification of peace and resumption of diplomatic relations. No German will be allowed to land, by sea or air, without the Home Secretary’s permission which will be granted only on special grounds and bo renewable for periods of three months. The names of Germans admitted will be published in the gazette.

ODESSA EVACUATED. LONDON, Jan. 12. The “Daily Express’ ’ understands General Deniken’s troops have evacuated . Odessa, where six British warships are maintaining order. ENEMY DEBTS CALL. LONDON, January 12. The enemy debts clearing house calls upon British traders who owed money to Germans before the war immediately to pay, with five per cent interest, for the period since August 1914.

A NEW PARTY SUGGESTED. (Received this day at 8.40 a.m.) LONDON January 12

•Lord Robert Cecil condemns the proposal by Lord Birkenhead to create a now political party To oppose Labour. Lord Cecil says it is idiotic .

FRENCH ELECTIONS. TRIUMPH- FOR CLEMENCEAU. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) PARIS January 12. The Senate elections resulted in a triumph for M. ‘Clemenceau’s party. M. Poincaire is among the successful candidates but the validation of his election will be postponed until he surrenders the Presidency. . There is every indication that M. Clemenceau will bo unanimously chosen President.