BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1925, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

[.Reuters Telegrams.] . PRESS CABLE REDUCTIONS. (Received this day at 9.25 a.in.) LONDON. Feb. I. The Pacific Cable Board, at its last meeting, received a letter from Lord Burnham stating the Press Union understood that while the Board was adverse to hearing the whole of the suggested twenty per cent reduction in rates for press cables, there was reason to believe that it would be agreeable to equally share the reduction with the Imperial and Commonwealth Governments. The Board replied that it was communicating with both Governments. It is imderstod the British Rost Office indicated some time ago its willingness to reduce press tolls on Imperial cables by one half-penny, and there are good grounds for believing that the Pacific Cubic Board is now prepared grant a similar reduction on condition that the Commonwealth foregoes <no half penny from landing charges.

THE PARIS AGRKEAIEXT. (Received this day at 9.15 a.m.) AVASHLXOTOX, Ed,. I. Without undertaking to discuss directly Secretary Hughes’ reply regarding the Paris Reparations Agreement. Senator Hiram Johnson, one of the Irreeoneilahles asked the Senate to consider the “grave and important questions which had been presented by what happened at Paris” COVERED PITCH OPTION. LONDON. Feb, I. The Lancashire County Cricket Club has decided to exercise its option of covering the pitch on the Lancashire grounds after eleven o’clock on the day preceding a. match till the coin-j inducement. It is also considering the erection of a covered practice sited.

BRITAIN’S NATIONAL DEBT. ißeecived this day at 9.25 a.in.) LONDON, Fel>. I. Hugh Dalton, giving evidence before the Colwon’s Conmiitte on the National Debt, said the capital levy was the most satisfactory method of reducing the national debt. In default thereof he recommended a fully cumulative sinking fund commencing with one hundred millions annually, which would pay off the debt in thirty years; or alternatively, a sinking fund not full.v cumulative, supplemented by the eonizi pulsory creation of’terminable annuiill exchange for a proportion of all estates passing at death. Mr Prcttyinan expressed the opinion that ill’ the present taxation was maintained it is doubtful whether Britain would ever again be able to absorb all available labour.