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Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1921, Page 2

CABLE NEWS.

BRITISH i FOREIGN ITEMS.

BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT,

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION,

IMPERIAL CUSTOMS CONFERENCE

LONDON, Feb. 28. Sir Robert Horne presided at a Customs’ Conference here, all the Dominions, India, and the Colonies being represented, including Mr Barkley (Australia) and Mr Herd (New Zealand). Sir R. Horne said the war brought Britain and the Dominions closer. It was desirable to still further remove restrictions on inter-imperial trade. He hoped this Conference would produce certificates of origin values, and facilitate exchange of goods on a uniform basis. It is expected the conference "ill last a fortnight. COMMERCIAL NEWS. LONDON, Feb. 28. At the London sale of “Bawra” wool, there was no demand for low crossbreds. All the qualities being inferior, they consequently were withdrawn. Prices for other sorts were unchanged. The prices are;— Waihi Junction 7s 6d; P. and 0. £3OO to’£32o. Foreign Exchange rates are —On Paris 54.37 francs to the £; Stockholm 17.34 kroner; Christiania 22.55 kroner; Calcutta, 151 pence; Yokohama, 29f yen; Montreal, 442 cents; Berlin, 243 marks. BRITISH MINERS’ WAGES. NOW BEING REDUCED. LONDON, Feb. 28. It is officially announced that advances to coal miners under the November strike settlement are no longer payable. This is stated to be owing to trade depression. The output is now only 17,650,000 tons, compared with 19,040,000 for the September quarter. Mr Evan Williams (President of the Mining Association of Great Britain), spelling at the South Wales Conciliation Board, said only sixteen companies out of 150 paid a profit in January. Pithead prices of coal at Cardiff yesterday were raised from os to 20s. Tlie best house coal is now 53s 2d a ton at the pit head.