MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1920, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

.By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

PERSIAN POLITICS. (Received This Day at 11.30 a.m.) TEHERAN, Nov. 24,

The Shah opened an extraordinary Council meeting at the Palace, at which members of the Government outlined the desperate situation, stating they were menaced externally from the north and was without initial resources. They also referred to the recent note from Britain.

Tho meeting declined to accede to Government’ proposal to elect a Commission to share the responsibility with Cabinet, till Parliament should meet immediately to deal with the situation, as the elections were practically completed. It is expected the Mejliss will meet by the New Year.

SHIPPING PROBLEMS. (Received this dav at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Nov The Peninsular and Oriental Company credit balance is £772,606, carried forward £111,938. The Orient Coy at a meeting adopted the capitalisation proposal cabled on 22nd. Kenneth Anderson (President) regretted the profits were on the down grade. He was unable to take a sanguine view of future rating, as the advance in saloon passenger rates was still far short of the ratio of advance in costs and far short of the mileage charge on other chief ocean routes. There would be an unanswerable case

for increased fares, but reaction by : checking traffic might make bad,, worse. If the eight hours day at sea were im-

posed .the result would be almost disastrous and an embarrassment to the conduct of passenger business. Esther the fares must rise to prohibitive levels, or passengers must be content to find more for themselves and accept a much inferior standard .of service. It was estimated that 0 n a 16,000 ton vessel, the

eight-hour day would involve additional running costs of about £7,000 sterling monthly. Until the shipowner can effect big economies in costs, they must economise on the provision of facilities and the standard of comfort, and above all in speed. The position regarding mails was much the same as last year. ' The Company will continue to do its best to meet the Commonwealth Govern ment's wishes and minimise the enconvenience to the public.

A ROYAL VISIT. (Reeei\?d this ds.v at 12.25 p.m) LONDON, November 29. The King and Queen jof Denmark accompanied by their niece Princess Margaret, are arriving in London tomorrow on a private visit to their Majesties. Rumour has lately been busy with the names of the Prince of Wales and Princess Margaret, who is an attractive girl of twenty-five. SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES. LONDON, Nov. 29. The supplementary estimates of 91 millions will be presented in the Commons on Wednesday and will include 3J millions for relief works.