MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1920, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright )

NO DIVIDEND. (Deceived this day at 1Q.20 a.m.) ■V DON DON, March 16. 'fho Zinc Corporation did not declare an interim dividend,

MR ASQUITH’S SPEECH. (Received this day at 10.20 s.in.' LONDON, March U In the Commons, Hon H. Asquith

said the Government policy oiignr. to from recognition of international economic independence and be directed to the promotion, at tlie earliest possible movement, of the whole Industrial machinerary of civilisation, with every reasonable facility which the Allied and Associated Powers could give. That was the first and most essential step towards

the restoring Of normal prices. He pni- } pliasised the necessity of a reduction pf the floating debt and continued growth of tlie Civil Service Estimates. He urged a Worl(l Economic Conference should be convened as speedily as possible bv tlie League of Nations and dwelt on the fact that there were still at least two million moil under arms in Central Europe and Eastern Europe, He hoped the Allies would urge the new states of j Eastern Europe to live peaceably with one another, and not to re-establisli new economic and other barriers between themselves and their neighbours. They should .disband their forces and become one great economic unity. If this were done it would be an important factor in . the solution of the economic problem. Mr Asquith wa-rmly welcomed the League of Nations enquiry into the condition of Russia and emphasised the need for the restoration of economic relations with Russia and the fullest possible in- ■*’■'* terchange of the great resources of Russia. As long, ns Britons preserved their capacity for hard honest work and as long a.s free play was given to initiative and*enterprise, an open market and the maintenance of a rigorous sleepless economy was observed he had no fear whatever for tho industrial, economic future of Britain.

financial boom, (ifereived tnis day at 10.10 a.m.) LONDON,’March 15. There is an extraordinary boom in new' issues. During February twentyfive millions of new capital was issued. To-day’s newspapers aro advertising four teen issues totalling 16 millions, with further prospectuses in order of participation, in preference shares at interest ranging from seven to ten per cent. .These are proving very attractive and ~ investors are largely selling less remunerative holdings, thus affecting the stock markets and especially depressing g" fc edged securities. Some financial authorities anticipate an early rise in the bank rate, but it is doubtful if this will elieek the flow of issues, most of which are being fully subscribed.