MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 February 1920, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright )

CONGESTION OF TRADE. LONDON, Feb. 20. Mr Hamilton Bonn, a member of the House of Commons and a member of the Port of London Authority proposing the toast of the “Dominion Guests” at a luncheon explained the congestion and delays were due to the doubling of the business. Ho instanced that wools increased from 700 thousand bales to 1,600 thousand; meat from 900 thousand to 1,700 thousand carcases; tea from 50 thousand tons to 120 thousand. Sir T. Mackenzie, replying, vigorously criticised the British authorities for limiting the sales of New Zealand meat to the British public during war when ample was available, and overcharging for the purpose of recouping extravagant prices paid for American- meat. A congestion in the storage in New Zealand thereby resulted, rendering deterioration possible and prejudicing the British consumers against the frozen meat. Sir T. McKenzie complained of the dearth of shipping. Five New Zealand ships were unable to dischaige, and between nine and ten thousand emigrants were unable to obtain passages. Mr Hunter complained the British were paving 4s for butter and Austialia under 2s; also pooling the butter, there by concealing the identity of the Australian article.

PROPOSED UNION WITH GERMANY. VIENNA, February 22, The State Chancellor in the course of a speech declared that should the help of the Great Powers which Austria relied on, not come in time, a moment would come when the Austrian people must be permitted to try another solution—namely a union with Germany. THE TRIBAL RISING. DELHI, February 22. A deputation from Shamankhir came offering sixty-four rifles instead of 150. The ofFer was refused. Soon after midnight Lucass’ force moved out and drove out the Mahsuds from the villages. Wo were subjected to troublesome fire, the tribesmen taking advantage of sniping from cover. A large body of tribesmen are coming in. The waves got no nearer than 100 yards, owing to our Lewis guns and grenades.

INTERNATIONAL SOCIALISM. CAPETOWN, February 22. The Labour legislator, Rampson, in an interview stated he was of opinion; that international Socialists were behind the Natives strike. Wo lay the whole trouble at their door, lliev wcie anxious to precipitate the trouble. STATISTTCIAL conference. f AUSTRALIAN cV N. 7.. CABLE ASSOCIATION & REUTER.] (Received this day at 8.40 a.m.) LONDON February 22. The Statistical Conference concludes on the 25tli a feature of the conference has been the remarkable unanimity notwithstanding the division of conditions and the interests represented. Generally speaking the South African Statistical system readily adopted itself to the decisions of the Conference. It is anticipated a new Imperial Statistical Bureau will he a co-ordinating medium more complete than previously conceived.

THE NEW TANK. (Received this day at 8.40 a.in.) LONDON February 22. A memorandum on the Army estimates states a new type of Tank is being developed with «. speeed of twenty miles per hour. It made a trial run of a thousand miles with practically no weakness. Two of the new tanks have been despatched to India for experiment under tropical conditions. A SHOOTING AFFRAY. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) ' BERLIN, February 23. Ensign Hirscheld was sentenced to thirty months for shooting at Herr Ezberger, particulars of which were cabled on January 26th. The defence called doctors to show the wound was slight, but exaggerated accounts were given to the newspapers.