MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1920, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Ov Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

FOR. PAYMENT OF ORDERS

LONDON, Marvh 16

The House of Lords carried the second reading of the bill to facilitate enforcement in the United Kingdom, of maintenance of orders made in Dominions, and vice versa. The Hill applies to husbands and others liable, who have gone to another part of the Empire, either before or after the maintenance order was made. The order must he duly registered and confirmed in the country where tho liable person is. All the dominions, except some Canadian Provinces, have accepted the principle of the Bill, and have undertaken reciprocal legislation. The Lord Chancellor, in moving the second reading, said the necessity for the Bill had been accentuated by the war. Lord Buckmastcr said it was a long overdue instalment of the debt society owed to deserted wives.

VOTE IN COMMONS. LLOYD GEORGE’S MAJORITY. (Imperial News Service.) (Received ’Phis Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, March 16. Mr Horne, winding up the debate on high prices, in the Commons, said that during the first quarter of 1920 we paid off an appreciable portion of the debt, and reduced the number of notes in circulation. He believed the financial position was improving daily. There was not cause for apprehension or despair. Mr Horne concluded with an optimistic reference to the outlook for the export trade. Mr MacLcan’s motion was rejected by 258 votes to 80. TR ADE CREDITS. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, March 16. . A White Paper lias been issued, indicating legislation authorising the Board of Trade to grant credits up to twentysix millions in connection with the export trade where it is found advisable, owing to circumstances arising out of the war. The proposed powers date from 9th September, 1919. Credits are cxer' eisable within three years and. arc re' oavablc within six years.

A CHINESE CRISIS. (Received this day at S a.m.) NEW YORK, March 16. The new “Times” Peking correspondent says a peculiar- situation in the Chinese politics developed, when Premier Chit Vungpeng resigned and withdrew to Trent,sit, and then upon the request of the President, resumed office. Pour Ministers then declined to attend Cabinet meetings hoping thereby to force tlie Premier to quit office. A dead' lock followed, hut the recalcitrant mem' hers of the Cabinet were later persuaded to attend to their duties. The situation arose over a desire of the anti nvlitarists to disband unnecessary troops. The Premier, who is leader of the militarists opposed this.

TAX ON WAR WEALTH

DISCUSSED IN COMMONS

(Imperial News Service)

(Received this day at 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, March 15,

The opposition of bankers to the capital levy on war wealth was voiced before the House of Commons Committee on February 25th. Mr Martin, Chairman of the. British Bankers’ Association, said ho considered a tax on war profits was undoubtedly just, but the tax on wai wealth that was proposed was a direct at tack on profit. Mr Martin, dining the war, stinted himself to invest in the war loan. He would now see his savings raided, if it exceeded £2,000, while the profiteer was scattering his newly-made riches, which went free. Dealing with the effect on trade Mr Martin said the demands on hankers for loans for legitimate purposes, were increasing. -A trader wishing to do pre-war trade required at least three times more capital. It was a complete fallacy to think that because a bank deposit had risen there was at hand a surplus fund which could be tapped by taxation. Mr Pain, Joint-Manager of Lloyd’s Bank, denied there was pre-war wealth* He said the proposal before the Committee was the greatest blow to the credit the country ever had. The tax would follow the great financial efforts made by the people during the war and at loss favourable time. He gave it as the deliberate opinion of himself aul other prominent financiers and bankers that if the suggested tax was imposed the country would bo in serious dangoi of a financial panic such, as the present veneration bad never known.