MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1925, Page 1

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

iTJiTEALUN AND H.a. CABL2 ASSOCIATION,

WHAT FRAXCE COUIA) DO. I,OXDOX, March 21

Hie “ Daily Express's ’’ Raris correspondent says:—Captain Sorb has a remarkable article in the journal “ Onesteklair,” outlining what France would do in the event of a war against F.ngland. He says that lot) submarines would starve out F.ngland. There are new French nine-inch guns, with a hundred mile range, which would bombard Portsmouth, and shell a circle, 125 miles in diameter, whereof London would be the centre, while hosts of aeroplanes would shatter London’s morale.

the wool position, down wa rd m oyemext CH ECK ED. LUX DOX, March 22. Discussing the wool position, a leading importer says that there are many hopeful indications that the downward movement in merino wool has been checked. It must lie borne in mind, from a supply point of view,, that roughly two-thirds of the year’s dip will tie sold in our distributing markets, and the slocks of merino top wool in the consuming markets on the Continent and America. Even Yorkshire, generally below the normal Continc 11 tin I buyers, i.s already finding the present basis beginning to 'encourage a demand. They arc probably better situated than the home ns regards stocks, and the financial stringency which compelled them to operate sparingly in the Colonial market, has turned out to he tin advantage in the long run. There are evidences also that the great preferential call for cheaper goods during the past year will he less acute now that the line grades have declined so materially. It is certain the demand will always favour the lino goods where values are reasonable. The position, of crossbred coarse wools does not yet appear to be quite so hopeful as merino. Competition for the former at the present series of sales was very slack. Although fine wools slightly hardened, crossbred prices were very erratic and weak. Generally they show a decline on the opening rates. WAR GRAVES. LUX DOX, March 21. A comprehensive description of the work of the Imperial War Graves’ Commission is given, for the first time, in Lho fifth annual report. A chain of the graves of ntfiirly one million and twenty thousand men encircles the earth. One of the most impressive works of the Commission will he a collective monument at Gallipoli, rising one hundred feet on the highest ground alcove Cape I Idles, on which will ho inscribed the names of all the ships and united forces participating in the campaign, also the names ol the British, Irish, Australians, New Zealanders, and Indians, with the unis Mown graves, At the southern entrance of the Sue/, Canal, an obelisk G 5 feet high is being erected in eoninioinnioratinn of the Indian troops. Similar collective memorials will be erected in France and IJelgiuni. GEX ERA L HIRDWOOD’S APPOINTMENT LONDON. March 22. The “Times” points out that General Birdwood’s promotion in coinciding with his appointment is unique in the history oi the \riny General previously selected for the Marshalship and India. Command simultaneously. Ihe olfiee has never been filled by a. soldier of the highest rank. The promotion of General ' Stewart White and Lord Kitchener came alter vacating the Command, General llirdwood s promotion emphasises I lie importance of the Indian Chiel’ship, ami is also a tribute to his great services to the State.

NOT A DIPLOMAT. LONDON. March 22

The “ Times, in Lord Cur/.on’s obituary notice, sny.s that bis industry was unremitting- lie spared no pains to become acquainted with the lails of every situation. 11 is despatches and speeches were always eloquent, deep with patriotism and sincerity of purpose, wliuli were beyond doubt. A <.*t lie was not a diplomatist in bis manner of dealing with loreign governments. He even provoked unnecessary friction. He believed strongly in the power of words, but eloquent denunciations were not always ellcclive. The French press, while paying a generous tribute to Lord Gurzoii’s personal character and innate patriotism, emphasises his indifference to French interests, and contrasts him with Mr Austen Chamberlain (Foreign Seceretary), whose sympathy for Frame ami favourable attitude towards an AngloFranco- Belgian Pint. Lord Cm/mi was said to have opposed.

FIVE J \P POLICEMEN KILLED TO 1C It). March 23.

five policemen were killed and O'o injured as ihe result of an at Lack on the police stations, on the northern frontier of Korea, by a party of sixty Korean malcontents, who crossed the Vain river.

IRISH BONDS TO BE REDEEMED LONDON. March 22.

The “Cahulic Herald” states the Free State of Ireland has undertaken to redeem in 1327 bunds to the value ol three millions sterling, issued chiefly in the Cnited States to finance the Republican struggle. Bondholders will he asked to employ the money in timin', mg various industrial enterprises in Ireland. _