MISCELLANEOUS ITFMS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1920, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS ITFMS

• (United Service Telegrams). BRITISH FINANCE. LONDON, December 9. In the Commons, Hon. A. Chamberlain said in Cabinet’s opinion, the only method of effecting savings was in the War Department (Cheers). The ministry of shipping, food and munitions would-be wound up this financial year. The question of economising i expenditure in the Middle East would be thoroughly explored, with a view to drastic reductions. He hoper Mesopotamia would be self-supporting in a short time. As regards naval construction, there would be no programme of new construction, until the lessons of the war were definitely ascertained. The Committee of Imperial Defence is proceed fng immediately with exhaustive investigations. No programme of capital ships would be presented until the Committee reported.

UNABLE TO ATTEND. LONDON, Dec. 9. Sir Jas.' Allen lias cabled to the King, explaining that he is New Zealand’s only representative at the League of Nations meeting, and he is therefore unable to attend the Royal dinner.

AIR SERVICE. 'Reuter’s Telegram.) (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 9 The air service from London to Birmingham starts on the 13th. The fare will be 50s. - NEW COMPANIES. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 9. There were 1,034 companies capitalised to 575 millions registered in United Kingdom in the past eleven months, exceeding the total of 1910, whose figures hitherto were, unprecedented.

A PEACE TREATY. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) PARIS, Doc. 9. The Foreign Office received a_ telegram from Tiflis, stating the Peace Treaty between Kemnlists and Armenians was signed at Alexandropol. Armenians retain Irivan and Lake Golclm, hut 'surrender tlie fortresses of Karji and Alexandropol; also practically all arms and ammunition. COMMERCIAL. (United Service.) (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 10 G. J. P. Coates and Coy’s annual report recommends a dividend of 17$ per cent. It states the profits were over four million and does not indicate immediate reduction in cotton prices.

AUSTRIA’S CONDITION.

(Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 10 The "Time's” Vienna correspondent states if the Powers refuse further assistance Austria will dissolve and die, the effect of which will, cause repercussion in central and eastern Europe. The "Daily Express” Vienna correspondent says the resignation of Government may occur at any'moment. As an instance of the distress General Bohmer Molli, who was an army group commander in the war daily attends a food kitchen. The Chancellor conferred with allied representatives stating the situation is almost hopeless. THE NAVY.

(LONDON TIMES SERVICE —COPYRIGHT, (Received-This Day at 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 9. Sydney Hall writing under the heading “Our obnolescent Navy” contends it is totally unfitted for present conditions. We were closer to ruin during the war than was known. The confidence in the capital ship was shaken and fleets of the Allies were impotent, whilst we hovered oi| (lie fringe of disaster." There is a firm belief that if Germany had psed submarines against warships instead of concentrating upon mercantile fleets they would have won the war. Everyone knows the trouble over the capture of the Emden. The difficulty in the next war will be combatting' a squadron of submersible Em dens already at sea. He concluded sig nificantly that Germany’s attacks oi merchantmen annoyed neutrals. Thi« culminated in the entry of Amcrics into the war and Germany’s defeat.