GENERAL CABLES.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1920, Page 1

GENERAL CABLES.

lAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] POSTAL CONFERENCE. MADRID, Ocfc. 14. The Postal Conference will probably last a further six weeks. The agenda includes two thousand propositions, but the principal task is to readjust international postal rates owing to extraordinary differences in exchanges iii countries within the Postal «Union, whereby the face values 'of stamps beat no relation to money values. The conference is endeavouring to find a solution by adopting the gold franc as tlie standard. By this means all international postages will be regulated, thus equalising values'. It Also is proposed to raise all international postages to nidet the increased cost of postal services. PRINCE OF WALES. QUESTION OF MARRIAGE. LONDON, Oct. 14. “The Times,” in a leader, says the* question of the marriage or tli'e Prince of Wales has been widely discussed. There is a real anxiety that his choice may he a wise one. Tli'e war, in this, as in nVost things, lias brotfght about a great change in public opinion which here, as elsewhere throughout tho Empire, is strongly aVerse to any compulsion upon the Prince to make his marriage one of policy. Britishers wish Ills marriage to he one of triie happiness, meaning a marriage of inclination. The hope is that his wife will be one of his own race. Though there have been fortunate exception's, it is certainly true that marriages of policy with foreign princesses have not had happiness as a primary condition. “The Times” doubts whether the need now exists, though it may have existed before the war, to restrict choice to the blood royal. GOLD AND SILVER. PRICES. LONDON, Ootobor 16. Gold is liSs per oz. India, taking little. America takes a moderate amount. There is a decline in silver, due to India Boar sales. There is an absence of demand. PROHIBITION CAMPAIGN. LONDON, October 16. Mr “Pussyfoot” Johnson had a riotous reception at a prohibition meeting in Aberdeen. The police were obliged to draw their truncheons in order to keep the crowds in order. , The students of Sheffield University kidnapped Mr Warner (Secretary of the American Students’ Temperance Movement) who was attempting to address a large meeting. The lights in the hall ivere suddenly turned out, and when they were turned up the lecturer had vanished. The mystified audience found later that the students had carried Mr Warner to a motor car, and thence took him to the Derbyshire ‘ moprs" and left him there to find his way back. ] ITALIAN TRADE. ‘ LONDON, "October 16. General Rainaciotti is going to Rome ( after % preliminary discussion with the Italian Government. He purposes however, to delay further commercial ‘ investigations pending a settlement of the industrial situation in Italy.

TRADE SLUMP. LONDON, October 15. Tlie slump all round is extending. ?rices generally continue to decrease. Women’s gloves have fallen 25 per ;ent. Gloves costing 10/6 are now lown to 7/6 a. pair. Woollen socks ihow a big drop, the latest price being ,/6 a pair. There is a remarkable denand for the new cheap five guinea suits. , Further falls are those i,n boots, shoes and linen, which have all considerably decreased. Tea is down to 1/8 per lb. and better qualites are 2/8. These lines were priced before tlie drop, respectively, at 2/8 per lb. and 3 j- per lb. ■Cocoa has Fallen to 1/6 and 2/6 per lb. Another feature of the slump is that the orders from abroad are being reduced. Hi is is owing to the further fall in the value of the £l. This fall ha's taken place on the Continental stock exchanges, the Indian exchanges, and the Chinese exchanges. Tlie price of metals has also dropped generally in England. The wool slump is in evidence. The Yorkshire warehouses are stuffed with goods as a result of tile cancellation of foreign orders. Tho factories in Yorkshire are only working short time. The demand for wool is weak. The majority of the wool sorters are now unemployed. The hope of any improvement in the wool trade is remote. It has been estimated that it costs 3000 per cent, more to produce a yard of 12 ounce serge than in 1915. AMSTERDAM, October 15. There has been a sensational fall in all quotations for oil shares at Vienna. It is owing to a heavy fall in Roumanian oil, consequent on American competition. KING OF GREECE. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) ATHENS, Oct. 17. The King’s condition is most dangorous. Cabinet has, decided to reassemble the late Parliament for the nomination of a Regent. TIE VOLT IN MOSCOW. (Received this dav at 8 a.m.) BERLIN, Oct. 17. The Foreign Office announces a great revolt is reported at Moscow', the Krem lin being invaded. CHINESE' POLITICAL SITUATION PEKIN, October 15. Tlie City of Pekin is politically quiet Nothing* is kndwn here to justify the report of any crisis, actual or impending. There is a financial crisis, however, which is causing some uneasiness. The results of the Allies’ Consortium meetings in the tinted States are being watched interestedly,