MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1920, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

ißy 'tlectne Telegraph—Copyright,* BRITISH AGRICULTURAL BILL. LONDON, May 22 A new Agricultural Bill has been introduced in the House of Commons. Its main principles consist of guaranteed prices of wheat and a maximum wage for farm labourers. The State in return is empowered to control cultivation in certain directions, ith a •view to making the best use of cultivatable land.

The Bill increases the security of farmer’s tenuro by awarding compensation for disturbance on a greatly increased scale.

NEW PETROL TANK. LONDON, May ?2. The airship R 33, flew from Selby to London and back to-night as a trial for the American crew who-have fallen tlie R. 38 to America. They carried a Sopwith-Camel aeroplane, with its motors at full speed and released it at a height of 1500 feet to test the petrol tank, which was designed to prevent fine after crashing. The experiment was successful

WAR ON TRIBESMEN. DELHI, May . 21. A summary of the effect of the six months campaign against the M a shuck and Waziris says that the tribesmen, having elected to resist the original terms were compelled to submit to punishment more severe than anything in their history. The Malisilds lost over 1000 killed and a- large number "Ound 7 ed. On the other hand, those who submitted were now returning confident of security under British lad-.- This was beneficially affecting others who were short of food. Consequently there was a general tendency to comply with the terms. The expedition taught the tribesmen the British law was hot to be flouted and inspired confidence n Briain’s benevolent purposes and her immutable determination to pursue justice.

DOMINIONS’ THANKS. LONDON, May 22. The Lord Mayor of Bristol presided over a function which official representatives of the Dominions attended lor the purposes of presenting a series of flags in acknowledgment of the kindnesses and hospitality extended to .sick and wounded soldiers in war time. High Commissioner Porley (Canada), High Commisisoher Sir Thos. Mackenzie (New Zealand), Colonel Herbert for the High Commissioner of the Union of South Africa were thanked for helping the Mother Country, but they remembered what the Mother Country ji 1 ■for the Dominions in the earlier days in expending. blood and treasure.

CABLE ITEMS. MADRID, May 21. Martial law has been proclaimed here, following the pillaging of bakeries and food stores by mobs. BUENOS AYRES, May 21. It is understood that a decree will be issued prohibiting tjie export of wheat from Argentine until high, domestic prices for flour and bread decline. THE KING OF GREECE. PARIS, May 21. K'ig Alexander ,of Greece has arrived. The newspapers publish the news, hitherto kept secret, that the King married the daughetr of Colonel Manos Long, attached to the Royal Household. The engagement dated from the time before Alexader was heir apparent, but the marriage took place after he became King, blit the Queen shortly left Greece for Paris where she is now residing.

THE BRITISH NAVY. LONDON, May 20. Air Winston Churchill, speaking at the opening of a. military tournament, said that now we had again the broad sunlight of a victorious peace, we had to maintain, on the scale of the Army before tbo war, a small defensive army for Imperial police duty, to keep alive those traditions which generations hence might be the means of enabling our various communities, usually unprepared, to escape disaster. The Navy must always remain on a mobilised scale. The Navy always had been, and always must be, strong enough, whatever happened, to enable all other deficiencies to he repaired. FINANCIAL POSITION. (Received this dav at 8 h.m.) LONDON, May 21. City opinion is that Australian Treasurers will not have an easy tasfi in raising loans, unless they are prepared to pay a high price. Although competition is high, interest in industrial flotations lids practically ceased owing to the banks restricting facilities for speculation, and there is a prospect of money continuing dear. The discount market is discussing the- possibility of a further increase in the bank rate. Thero is also the fact that British Gov, eminent investments offer high rates, oi interest. Exchequer bonds maturing in 1922 now yield investors 146 s per cent. A new housing loan for Kent, Middlesex and Essex of £5,000,000 at six per cent at £95 10s, redeemable in 1940-60, yields 126 s9d pe r cent. There is undoubtedly plenty of money for investment in gilt-edged securities, if the terms offered are sufficiently attractive. WOOL SALES. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) ANTWERP, May 21. At the wool sales, 125,000 Colonial bales were offered, and 5000 were withdrawn. Prices were 10 to 15 per cent below Antwerp auction of 23rd April.