BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1922, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

I AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

HOOLEY’S ESTATE. (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 23

The official receiver informed llooley’s creditors that the liabilities amounted to £68,660 sterling and assets £25,000. The trustee under Hooley’s second bankruptcy claimed the assets.

NAVAL RETRENCHMENT. LONDON, Jan. 23

The Admiralty is discharging 3000 workers at Rosyth, at tho rate of 200 weekly, involving a saving of £IOO,OOO yearly.

WORKERS’ RECOGNITION. ,Received This Day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 23

Employees of Llanelly tin plate works are seconding the employers’ efforts to recapture the world’s markets. packing 123 boxes daily, a world’s record. The ordinary output is 80.

SHIPBUILDING RETURNS. (Received This Dav at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 24.

Lloyds Register annual shipbuilding summary calls attention to the enormous recent increase in tonnage launched, compared with pre-war periods. During 1918-1921 the total addition to the world’s merchant navies by new construction was nearly three million tons, which is considerably above the combined output for nine years, 1905 to 1913. The gross merchant tonnage launched in the world in 1921 totalled 4,341,679, a decrease of a million arid a half compared with 1920, but an increase of over a million compared with 1913, which is the pre-war record. United Kingdom launched 1,538,052 tons in 1921, a decrease of 517,572, compared with the record year 1920. Other large outputs were United States 1,006,413, Germany 509,064, Holland 232,402, Japan 227,405, France 210,663, Italy 164,748. Germany’s launchings included forty vessels between four and seven thousand tons, thirteen ships of seven to ten thousand tons and one above fourteen thousand.,

GREEK OPINION. ■ Received This Day at 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 24.

The Greek -Minister’s personal opinion about the story of Constantine’s abdication is that it is without foundation. Any suggestion of trip cancellation of the loan, if the King does not abdicate, is refuted by the financial negotiations pow in progress.

CABLE TO PRINCE. (Received This Day at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 24.

Hon Lloyd George on behalf of the Cabinet and British people, sent a cable to the Prince of Wales expressing appreciation of the spirit with which he is fulfilling bis high undertakings m India and that lie looked forward keenly to welcome him home from the great Imperial mission he had successfully performed. The Prince of Wales replying, acknowledged/ cordially the goodwill shown him by the princes and people of India during Iris travel. He would feel proud if Iris visit in any way fosters the mutual understanding of unity throughout the British Empire.

STRIKE TROUBLES. (Received This .Day at 1.5 p.m.) CAPETOWN, Jan 24

The prolongation of tbe strike is causing a public clamour for a settlement. The miners are beginning to feel the pinch, as the funds of the federation are limited. Already twentyfive thousand natives have l been lepatriated which even when the strike is settled will involve a serious curtailment of the mining operations and affect trade. The conference is making slow progress. It is announced it is discussing the gold mining position, which is the most formidable problem to solve to-day.

Debeers Explosive factory has suspended operations temporarily, owing to the closing of the mines.

GAS POISONING. (Received This Day at 1.5 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 24

An abnormal number of deaths due to "as poisoning, is directing attention to tlie dangers of carbon monoxide m domestic gas, due to an increased proportion of water gas. The potency of monoxide poisoning also led to an alarming epidemic of gas suicides, including a beautiful social butterfly well-known in West End high life. The “Times” in a leader, commenting on tbe subjects points out that water gas contains forty-two per cent of carbon monoxide, compared with six per cent in coal gas. The ‘ Times adds that deaths from gas poisoning have increased both in Britain and United States with tbe increase m the practise of diluting gas supplies with water gas. Though deaths from monoxide poisoning have long been increasing they become extraordinarily Sequent lately