NEWS AND NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 November 1923, Page 1

NEWS AND NOTES.

'I lie Australian money market is showing a hardening tendency, two or three factors being at work, says the '‘Australian Hanking Record.” It mentions the deficiency of several millions in the Commonwealth Conversion I.oan, and the fact that an offer by the Mellxmrno and Metropolitan Board of Borks of 3G3.<10!) at of per cent, debentures attracted tenders for only C29,Btn. The Victorian Government lias raised the date of interest for securities for sale at the Treasury to iij iter cent, for 1023 maturity (interest free of Federal and State income tax). Recently it was offering 5 per cent .and 4J per cent, respectively, and in June it oli'ered 4J per cent, and 4.1 per cent, respectively for conversion purposes. The Queensland Government lias raised the rate from of to 5} per cent.

“That’s giving away trade secrets,” remarked a witness in a Supremo Court dispute over a confectionery shop (says the Wellington “Post”). He stated that if chocolates were going had thev were taken from the boxes and replaced with choelates of an equal grade. It was difficult to replace some lines, particularly the many American lines where there were no bulk supplies. Bines of fancy boxes were often bought and Idled by the retailers from Bocks in hand. In cross-examination he stated that if a hox of one make of chocolate went had and hulk supplies of the same maker were available, the box was sold containing the chocolates of another maker. Very few purchasers asked for a particular maker's chocolates. If a man asked for a hox of a particular maker, and the chocolates were not in stock, a statement would lie made accordingly, but the purchaser might he shown a‘hox with the name of the maker he was interested in, though it contained another maker’s chocolates. The purchaser was generally satisfied with this if he got his weight.