MISCELLANEOUS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1920, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS

r — ji3y Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

COMMONWEALTH STATE LINE LONDON, Jan. 8.

“Fairplay,” commenting on the latest balance-sheet of the Commonwealth fleet, asks, “ When the slump comes will tho concern bear its share of the general suffering in accordance with the commercial principles, without calling on the taxpayers? “The Customs proclamation issued in November applying the system of licensing of importations to a large vaiiety of metals and textiles bears a somewhat sinister aspect, and may mean that the Commonwealth is providing a second line of defence, not intending to run any: risks when the pinch comes.” PROFITS ON WOOL LONDON, Jan. 20.

The report of a committee which is investigating the profits on wool (tops and yarns) states : All the 'Australian wool auctioned since the wool control ended *in April lias belonged to the [British Government, which has obtained a considerable profit. This is owing to nigh prices being got at the auctions, especially for the fine qualities. “It is imposible to ascertain definitely the Government’s total profit.” Of these profits, half are being returned to the Australasian Governments,, for distribution among the wool growPItOFITS COLOSSAL. (Received’ This Day at 8 a,m.) »• LONDON, Jan. 26.

The wool report states among the causes contributing to the present prices of raw material are the excess of demand over supply, transport delay, cessation, of sales in Australia., and concentration of buying in England. The high prices in the subsequent stages are largely due to the impossibility to fulfil orders. Makers are able to ask almost any price, especially for the finest quality. The report does not attempt to estimate the profit on raw wool at auctions. It simply says they are colossal. The only estimate hither, to is Mr MacKinders, of £60,000,000 shared by the British Govemnfent, Australia and New Zealand’ growers. The subject attracts great attention in the newspapers. _ Later reports dealing with the makers of profits are awaited with interest. There is a demand in some quarters for a Royal Commission, similar to the coal mines, empowered to examine tho books of anufacturers, spinners and others. 1

FRANCE ASSISTS. PARIS, Jan. 22. . It is understood that France has taken over a large part of Britain s obligation to send'troops to police the plebiscite areas in Germany and' elsewhere. Instead of eleven battalions, only 3 British are going to Silesia and Schleswig. Allonstein and Focli are expected at Warsaw in a fortnight’s time. Foc-h advised that two divisions will be sent to defend the Bapnume-Bakan line, but the Council did not approve of the suggestion.