MISCELLANEOUS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1920, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS

j ti3y Electric. Telegraph—Copyright.; | SUPPLY OF NITROGEN. 1 (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) I LONDON, Jan. 15. | The final report of the Nitrogen ' Producers’ Committees investigations I point to a definite conclusion that it is, practicable to make the British Empire independent in regard to external supplies of nitrogen. Canada, with exceptional water-power and accessibility of seaboard could produce much cheaper than anywhere in the world. New Zealand and Tasmania also offer possibilities for cheap manufacture of synthetic nitrogen. There are also large deposits of low grade coal in Australia which would furnish ammoniaum sulphate. The Committee strongly advises, in the light of war experiences, that the country should not risk depending on Chilian nitrates. From a military point of view it would probably be wise to concentrate major installations in Britain, with supplementary installations throughout the Empire, ( and if necessary to create an Imperial authority to carefully study the Empire requirements. A NOTABLE TRIAL. (Received this day at 10.lt> a.m.) PARIS, Jan. 15. Ca'illeux trial is fixed for February 17th.

FINANCE MEMORIAL. (Received this day at 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 15. Hons Asquith, Lord Bryce, Lord Robert Cecil, Lord Clynes, Lord Inchcape, Hon Mackenna, Mr Thomas and others have signed a memorial to leading Governments, including Britain, France and America urging internation al action to restore the economic stability of the world. The memorinl states in is evident that Germany will have to bear a. heavier load than her cfonquerors, but care must be taken that the burden does not exceed the measure of the highest practicable taxation, and does not destroy the power of production. Germany and Austria must not be rendered bankrupt or the standard of living lowered so that willingness to pay her just debt, is converted into a spirit of despair and revolt. The signatories recommended long term credits to countries requiring" assistance to reinstate tbe equilibrium.

SHIPPING MOVEMENTS (Received This Day at 10.35. a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 15. Euripdes, after ten days delay, left Plymouth for London, The Athenic sailed from Plymouth with 280 New Zealanders for Wellington.

SAD LOSS OF LlFE(Received this day at 8 a.m.) PARTS, January lo

There were six hundred passengers and crew on board the Afriquc and only forty-three survivors. There « practically no hope of other rescues. Several empty boats and many rafts were found, also a boat with nine corpses and a raft with three hats. The public draws a melancholy conclusion from the fact that not a woman or child survived. The majority of the survivors consisted of the crew and Sengalese soldiers.

QXFORD CR.lv W. (Repeivpd This Day at 8 a.m.) LQNDON, January 25. Tbe first selection for the Oxford crew includes N, II- McNeill () *<*- torian) and W. B. Cairns (South Australian). Both are at Ifi'liol.

BUBONIC BLAGUE. (Received This Day at 8 a m.i •PARIS, January 15. Bubonic plague is ravaging northern Bessarabia. There have been several hundreds of victims. JAPAN AND AMERICA. (Received this clay, at 9..10 a.m.) 1 * : ’ ‘ • TOKIQ, Jan. 15,. It is announced that H complete agreement" lias bqen reached bpt>veen America and Japan, by which Jap.ap enflpavfturs to'protect the Siberian railway. Japanese newspapers regard the Siberian expedition with little enthusiasm, but official circles insist upon the necessity of stemming Bolsheviks.

PRICE OF BUTTER. BIG RISE PROBABRE. (Eecpivocj (his day at 9.30 a.m.) ‘ ' LONDON, Jan. 15.

Nothing lias been settled with u, O Food Controller regarding future contracts fpr Ne\v Zealand butter. Sii T. Mackenzie in an Interview, states the situation is exceedingly firm, in view of the fact that home butter-mak-ers are freed from control, and of the Controllers’ recently expressed opinion that butter should not exceed 4s (id per pound, and farmers suggested it should be six shillings. The opinion'lieLV'R that prices are likely to run to anything between 2s Oil and os. There is a gieat demand for good butter ant] New Zealand with the reputation of her produce, can command good prices. As theiy, has been a reduction of cattle in European countries amounting to millions, it will take years to restore normal production.' Evfp ifthp Controller does not make a reasonable offer for next season’s butter, New Zealand produce will he on safe grounds because of the. open market. If |s expected that the shipping situation then will be easier 1 and producers may expect a consider, able increase In the price obtained under existing contracts.