MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1920, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

By Electric Telegraph--Oopyrigut)

QUEENSLAND’S LEASES.

LONDON, June 24

Tilt* “Einaneial News” says:—“The <|Uestion of the Queensland leases is being thrust into considerable prominence. There is reason to believe that this I horny problem is a contributory factor in producing the lilt between Mr Watt and Mr Hughes, which has left the Australian loan negotiations where Mo_ Imnunet’s coffin is reputed to hang that is, in the air. In connection with the Now South Wales loan, the prospectus of which state-s it wiil not be abject to tiny taxes in New South Wales, English investors are asking themselves whether it will 1)0 competent for the New South Whiles Government to disregard this provision later, and impose say an income tax on the interest payable to the holders. As the Bii_ tish Empire is worked under a flexible i (institutional system, dominion Legislatures can do practically anything if their Ministers obtain a majority. We should like our Australian kinsmen to consider that a bargain cannot be alieied without the consent ol both par-

A WOOL TRADE CUSTOM. LONDON, June 22. Sir Thomas Mackenzie convened a meeting of the High Commissioners and. Agcnts-General of Australia and South Africa to discuss steps to secure the abolition of the old trade custom of making a toll of one pound weight in every 1001 bof wool. 'Die m.ooting, •enerally, was favourable to the proposal but was adjourned for a fortnight to enable the respective Governments to bo consult,od. If the .subsequent meeting is instructed to proceed in the .matter it is likely to ask Argentine to co-operate. LABOR CONFERENCE. LONDON, June 23. At the British Conference at Scarborough several stirring speeches were made by the delegates who recently visited Russia. 'They warned the Conference of the necessity ol shoeing friendship, not towards Lenin or Trotsky so much as to the l(i(),000,000 Russians, who after. achieving peace in then own country, would otherwise be a menace to the Western world. The speakers declared that only a general strike would bring Lloyd Gorge In his senses and make him abandon the attacks on the Soviets.. Mr R. Smillie accused Britain of being chiefly responsible for -the present condition of Europe. Mr Thomas (of the railivaynien) said the Treaty with Germany was framed in a spirit of revenge. Another resolution urged that I'inland should grant an amnesty to political offenders. It was pointed out that 1-100 Trade Unionists and Socialists were still imprisoned there for complicity in the civil war which terminated two years ago. WIRELESS STRIKE ENDS. LONDON, June 23. A conference of the wireless strike parties resulted in the release of the thirty ships held up at Liverpool. The wireless operators’ executive announce the strike was called oft owing to the grave dislocation of the country’s shipping. The. operators secured adequate guarantees of fair treatment.

BRITISH FOOT) CONTROL. LONDON, .June 23. Mr Mitchell Thomson, replying to Sir W. Nie'ld, said that following upon a decision of the Government to make no further purchase of imported cheese, this commodity would be no longer controlled, except the balance already contracted for. The Government were not aware that a co-operative wholesale society intends to negotiate for purchase of New Zealand cheese. Should any attempt be made to exploit the consumer, the Food Controller would not hesitate to use any powers provided by Parliament. LONDON MARKET REPORT. LONDON, June 23. No tallow sales were held this week. The Corinthic’s consignments of New Zealand apples and pears was discharged rapidly, and landed in excellent condition, realising full control prices. Wailii shares are: Buyers 36s 3d; Sellers 38s ( Jd; Wailii Junction 8s Id. BRITISH CHEESE SUPPLIES. LONDON, June 22. In the House of Commons, Sir W. Mitchell Thomson, replying to Sir Henry Nield, said that following upon tile decision of the Government to make no fertile purchases of imported cheese, this commodity would he no longer controlled except the balance already contracted for. The Government was not aware that the Co-opera-tive Wholesale Society intended to negotiate for the purchase of New Zealand cheese. Should any attempt be made to exploit the consumers, the Food Controller would not hesitate to use any powers provided by Parliament.

A NEW AIRSHIP. LONDON, June 23. Messrs Vickers Limited, are launching the airship RBO, which will have p a speed of 50 miles an hour for touring purposes, with a range of 6300 miles. The craft is 530 feet long long. PRICE OF SIEVED. SHANGHAI, June 22. Owing to the drop in the price of silver Chinese importers are threatened with a loss of 60,000,000 taels during the fiscal year. The fulfilment of contracts will mean -widespread bankruptcy They are appealing to Britain and America for extensions.

•COLD STORAGE. (Received this day at 9.20 a.in.) PARIS, Juno 23.

The International cold storage conference opened and was attended by representatives of forty two States and Dominions. A Convention was signed establishing an international eold storage institute, the east of which will he defrayed by the participants.