BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1922, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN ITEMS.

AUSTitALIAN AND N.Z. GABLE ASSOCIATION, P. AND O. COY. (Received this dav at 10.30 a.m ) LONDON, Oct. 18.

At a meeting of the P. and O. Company, Lord luchcupc referring to the loss of the Egypt said nothing would be wanting on ttie Company’s part in the direction of taking every possible precaution to protect lives. Organisation and discipline on Peninsular ships were second to none, hut the human element was always present. The Egypt was properly manned and equipped in every respect. Owing to expenses being far above those ruling Before the war, the insurance account was not as successful as in previous years, hut it had increased by 1191,212 sterling despite the heavy payment on account of the Wiltshire. The conservative policy which the Peninsular and associated companies had always tollowed. gave a handsome sum from investments which justified the payment of a similar dividend as in 1921. Apparently the poor trade period would continue for a year or two. Unfortunately branch liners were still filling only one-third of the space on the outward voyages, fie hoped the Australian trade Would soon revive. There must soon he considerable further re- ,

ductions in seamen’s wages, if ships were to he kept running. Lord Inch-, cape said he was glad the previous re- ’ (luction was effected without lockouts or strikes. The company holds Gov-: eminent securities nominally valued at seven and a half millions which cost j £.'0,893,000. These and all other securities appeared in the accounts at much below the market value. The ] credit balance included a very small ; profit from ru nil fig ships. The hulk j , was derived from investments. The valuation of the company’s ships in accounts worked out at under a pound ] for twenty tons, despite the inclusion of the newest and largest vessels. I i

WOOL SALES. (Received this dav at 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 18 The next wool sales are fixed for 21st November to loth December. All free arrivals In 29ht Sept, ate included in the catalogue, making 153,000 halos, Australian, New Zealand and Cape colony, nine thousand, Puiitai. and sixty thousand Bawras. A SWIMMING RECORD. VANCOUVER, Oct. 18 Miss Sliiind (Now Zealand) broke the world's record for 110 yards free style, covering it in six minutes fourteen two-fifths seen. M. VENTZKI.OS. I i Received lids dav at 10 a.m.) PARIS. October 18. M. V eiiizelos is expected to leave for Belgrade shortly. It is believed lie seeks Jngo-Slavia’s diplomatic support at the Near Eastern Conference. n A AVI? A AVI) MEAT. (Received this dav at 9.30 y.n.) LONDON. Oct 18. A proposal that I!a.wra should prolong its existence in order to control Australia's neat, export trade. has been received with hostility by all sections of tho meat trade here, from pastoral companies to Smithfield dealers. Enquiries among all classes in- ; teres ted show a feeling of resentment against the maintenance of any sort of Government control. What all sec-, tions oil tho (trade desire is a return to pre war freedom. The opinion is generally expressed that as Australia only , provides a comparatively small pro- j

portion of our own meat supplies, any Attempt to control or fix prices would only he placing into the hands of rivals, especially Argentine l shippers. It. is also pointed out that, the Australian meat industry could not possibly bear the cost of an expensive organisation like Bawras.

DINNER SPEECHES. /Received this dav at 9.3(1 a. n.i LONDON, Oct 18. Sir .1. Coo!; and Sir J. Alim were principal guests at the autumn dinner of the British Cold Storage and lee Association. Sir J. Cook responding to -the toast of Empire refrigerated commerce, said refrigeration bail a vital relationship to Empire development. There was hotter business obtainable within the Empire than any-

where outside.. The Dominions spent ten times as much in the Okl Country as any foreigner. Instead rf taking meat from Argentine, butter from Denmark, and apples from l niled States he appealed to English consumers to obtain sin h products from within the Empire. Sir *l. Allen, 'ill proposing the toast of the cold storage ieo industry, referred to the miraculous development of the industry which had now reached an interesting stage wherein producers were compelled to bend energies to the. production of mint and fruit transportable by cold storage overseas, so as to arrive in a condition acceptable to the English consumer. lie paid a tribute to the services rendered to cold storage by scientific investigations. Ho knew no field of .investigation offering a greati r promise.