GERMAN ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1923, Page 2

GERMAN ITEMS

tUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. BRITISH CRITICISM OF BELGIUM. LONDON, Aug. 28 The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says the general opinion in British circles is that, on the whole, the Belgian Note cannot be said to help towards a practical agreement among the Allies. Indeed, it is deemed exceedingly disappointing, and as being contrary to hopes widely and confidently held. The Note presents little of a con. structivc character, even from a financial aspect. The omission of a single reference to Britain’s proposal for an impartial commission to re-assess Germany’s capacity to pay is considered inexplicable, in view of the importance attached to it in London and Washington. FRENCH PRESS VIEWS. PARIS, Aug. 28 The newspaper “Likerte” says that it rests with Mr Baldwin (British Premier) whether the Belgians’ suggestion for a resumption of friendly and discreet conversations will he adopted. Belgium is right in setting aside any return to formal conversations, which only magnify differences, and benefit no one except Germany. "f.e Temps” welcomes the Belgian Note for its clearness and its concilia-

tory tone. GOING BANKRUPT. HEAVY TAN ON CARS. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 29 The "Daily Chronicle’s” Berlin correspondent says that Germany’s favorite seaside resort, Surndmumte, lias "Olio bankrupt. The municipality decided to suspend payments at tlio height of the season. Most cities and towns in Germany are already bankrupt and everything is steadily going bankrupt. Berlin’s biggest hotel has closed and 250 rooms in another hotel belonging to Herr Stinnos have been closed. The smaller restaurants nro giving up the struggle and theatrical managers and film producers' are joining in the same dirge. Taximcn are ceasing to ply and a. taxi run of a mile costs two million marks. Fares are lew and far between and owning a motor ear is a good way of hastening personal bankruptcy as the yearly tax on a twelve horsepower ear is 1.221,000,000 marks, equal at present to over £GO. A forty horsepower car is taxed at £4OO. Since the war four hundred banks, mostly of the mushroom variety, sprung tip in Berlin alone. Tt is certain they cannot long keep up the struggle.

High food prices have so forced up wages that few employers will he able to keep going much longer. As it is, wages now paid are in many cases really disguised as unemployment doles, paid in order to keep the workers together.

Unemployment s going to he widespread during the winter. The printing trade is the first to be seriously affected and newspapers are now luxuries. Only the richest can afford to huv hooks, the production whereof is declining rapidly and newspapers are suspending publication throughout the country. Even the “Muniche Fliegende Blatter,” equivalent to “London Punch" lias died.