BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1922, Page 2

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASS(3u^nbt}

SEAMEN’S WAGES

LONDON, Jbi 25:

The British iseanren liave accepted the shipowners’ reduction in wages of £2 per month, with a ( corresponding reduction for officers.

SCOTTISH 11 AIL WA Y MEN. LONDON, Jan 26

The Scottish Wages Board has rejected a claim, by the Scottish railway companies to increase the standard working day from eight to ten hours. The Board has, ho we vet, allowed the eight hours to be spread over and up to ten hours, and, in. exceptional cases where work is intermittent, to 12 hours. The Board has rejected! a claim to discontinue special payment for night duty. It haa allowed a sliding scale reduction in wages on the award (averaging an increase of 5s a. weok) granted in June of 1920.

BIG ECONOMIES

LONDON, Jan. 25.

A well informed report states* the Cabinet have accepted in the main the Geddes Committee’s proposed expenditure cuts, which ampunt to £Bo.= 000,000. The cuts comprise: Edjiciltnm expenditure, £18,000,000; social and military expenditure, £52,000,000; agriculture, trade, police, and prisons departments £10,000,000. the policy alterations consequent on the Washington decisions and the substitution of aeroplanes for cavalry, are expected to- save a further £20,000,000.

With a saving of £75,000,000 made by departments apart from those in the Geddes Committee recommendations this will enable the Budget to be balanced.

SPEECH BY CHURCHILL. LONDON, Jan. 25 Rt Hon W. Churchill, at the opening of the 1920 Club, which lias been established by Coalitionists said: The Geddes report on economics was a fine massive, comprehensive piece of w’ork. He did not say that he agreed with . it, but it would be published directly ,< tliei Government had reached definite -j conclusions regarding the Estimates they would put before Parliament. There would be reductions iii fcxpeitdV ture on ail e’norhioUs scale, like those provided for by the Washington decisions, the Irish settlement ■ and tke post war reconstruction. This saving would stand to the credit of the Coalition. He said the country would have no admiration for men who stood with their hands in their pockets, and jeered, snapped, and carped at those who were doing work. The sole object of the speeches of Lord Grey and Mr Asquith was to excite partisanship, by fault-finding, against the Government, which was dealing with work and events of prodigous and unprecedented complexity. The country should be profoundly thankful it was coming .* • safely through these enormous trials — and perils, with greater strength than . anv other nation in the world.

SACRILEGE IN CATHEDRAL

ROME, Jan. 25,

A telegram from Milan reports a shocking sacrilege lias been committed in the Milan Cathedral. The Dome lias been broken in, and the tombs, including those of Saint Ambrose, St Gervais, and Sfc Protas, have been despoiled. The jewels buried with the corpses were taken. Hie remains were strippd of their coverings and bones left scattered. COLLAPSE OF AUSTRIA. FEAR OF GREAT UPHEAVAL. LONDON, January 25. The Austrian kroner has collapsed. It is now quoted at 43,800 kroner to the pound sterling. It was 14,000 to the £1 yesterday. This collapse means an immense increase in the price of foodstuffs in Austria.

It is feared the result will he disorders and riots. There is ,* also the danger of a politcal collapse. In. London the official and financial circles regard the Austrian situation as exceedingly grave, as the collapse will dislocate the trade and exchange#

.off the neighbouring countries, including Germany, which has large financial interests in Austria.

The oollapse will also retard Britain’s industrial recovery and will increase the British unemployment. The Austrian Government hafe urgently appealed to the Allies, and also to British financiers, for a loan of 2$ millions. The total Austrian paper money now in circulation is 1*74,000,000 kroner. OUR SURPLUS MEAT. BIG SALE ARRANGED LONDON, January 25. There are negotiations, which are approaching completion, going on with a Continental representative, for the sale of the accumulated Australian and New Zealand'beef in London and elsewhere. There are 20,000 tons involved. It is mostly New Zealand meat. The prices obtainable are stated to be much below the original cost. It is understood that Vesty’s firm - are willing to sell meat to the Australian • and New Zealand Governments at reduced rates, provided that both Governments are willing to bear any loss on the resale of Vesty’s meat to the Continental buyers.

PRICES AT HOME. LONDON, January 25. Commenting on tho meat question the London “Star”’ sajya there has > been a rise in tha price of meat floL lowing on the announcement of the > New Zealand meat pool. The ‘Star” says:—“The truth fe that combines and pools are equally injurious to the consumer. This we have seen in regard to the Australian wiool combine, and its effect upon the prices of cloth and clothing.”'

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