TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1920, Page 4

TELEGRAMS.

[pun I’RIiSS ASSOCIATION. —COI’YIUGHT.) TREND OF TEA PRICES. ! DUNEDIN, Nov. 10. j The latest information from Ceylon is that the area planted in tea is being re- 1 dr.eed this year by 10 per cent, and will | be further reduced next year by 20 per | cent. In other words, the plantations are not paying. It is therefore argued that the present reductions in the price io consumers will lie followed by a genoial shortage, and an inevitable advance. A merchant, who is in a position to know what is doing here, and also as to what is doing in tho East and England, summarises the position thus: — “During the war and for a period after the war our importers had great difficulty in getting tlifcir wants attended j to in all classes of goods. ' That was the experience not only in New Zealand hut in Great Britain, Canada, and'the Uni- ! ted Stales. The position at that time became so desperate that firms in many eases ordered twice or three times what they wanted in the hope that shippers weald send them a snialUquantity. Since that period the position of affairs in Great Britain and in the East has certainly changed. Our importers find that their old orders are being rushed out to them. Cases have been known lately where three, and as many as live, shipments came at one time, all at the advanced prices created by the war, so it comes about that importers a-e now wanting to turn their goods into money, and there is an inclination to cut prices. So far as I can see that is really the only direction in which the public can hope to look for lower prices. I am referring particularly to such arti-Ic-es as tapioca, sago, and other common ; forms of daily necessaries. There is not, so .far as anyone can tell, any sign of a lessened cost of production to the men who actually produce, and their position is that they are going slow in 1 the hope of the market improving.” 1 THE HENDERSON TRAGEDY. 1 'AUCKLAND, November 10. ’ An inquest ‘ touching the death of Mrs Spearpoint was opened before Mr Boynton this morning, at the hospital : morgue. Evidence of identification was given by James Spearpoint. Witness slated ' that lie was employed at New Lynn, and lie and his wife had lived for nearly four years at Henderson. The only member of the family was the young man Frederick, who was the illegitimate son of his wife. The latter worked on the farm and came home only at weekends. The house the lived in was a two-roomed place. lie, his wife, and her son were always on good terms. Before the date of the tragedy Frederick had -conic home for the two previous 'week ends. Witness last saw liis wife alive on the morning of last Wednesday at breakfast, at which time Frederick was in bed asleep, and lie was still in bed when witness left for his work. His wife then seemed in her usual health, except that she complained of a headache. Frederick was away oil Monday night, and returned late on Tuesday night, when witness did not see him. The inquest was adjourned. SOLDIER MENTAL PATIENTS. DUNEDIN, November 10. Matters relating to, the committal and treatment of returned soldier mental patients, brought before, the local R.JS.A., some months ago, by Mr R. P. Jones were further discussed at a meeting of the committee to-day. After considerable discussion, it was moved, “That no further action he taken in the matter.” Mr Jones (who was the prime mover in the ■ agitation): I have much . leasure in seconding the motion. The motion was carried. FINANCIAL. WELLINGTON, November £>. While the further borrowing proposals of the Government are not viewed with disfavour, it is very evident that, for tho next three years or more, it will be very difficult to borrow in London, consequently there must ho local borrowing, and tile country is not in a position to find the huge sums. To-wards the close of the war it was necessary to have the power of compulsion in respect to loans, and compulsion will, in all probability, have lo ,be exercised in the case of tho wx . million loan now before the public. It was announced that the Post 01- ; flee would have a motor lorry out in the streets to sell certificates, and a vehicle was out one day, but apparently very little business was done, for the performance has not been repeated. It is stated privately that the commercial travellers declined to assist.in the matter. ' The travellers, and [their principals have quite enough to think about with the fall in prices and the excessive importation of merchandise. The Government, through the Post Office, is to issue certificates in respect to the new loan, hut whatever may be issued will be required for the redemption of maturing war certificates. Next year, too the Post Office Savings Bank will most likely experience a change and it will have to meet very heavy withdrawals, for there is bound to he some unemployment. It must he a difficult matter for commercial men to know how to meet tho situation. FIRE ON THE CORINTHTC. WELLINGTON, November 11. An outbreak of lire was discovered on board the Shaw Saville liner Corinthic at the Glasgow wharf shortly after five o’clock this morning. The fire originated in No 1 hold which contained llax and a small quantity of kauri gum. The brigade was summoned and after about an hour’s hard work got the fire under control and by four o’clock the flames had been extinguished. A number of bales of llax were damaged and a small quantity of gum destroyed. Tho vessel is not seriously damaged.