BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1926, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.]

A GREAT STORM. LONDON, Jan. 11

England is getting the tail end of „ storm which has plunged most of Europe into the bitterest cold. Even the city of Rome is now snow-covered. Round the Gulf of Lyons the towns are Hooded, for the first time in their history, while Perpignan is completely isolated. Six hundred fishing families on the Barcelona coast arc rendered homeless. Huge waves arc sweeping over the tide marks. Even in the Riviera the temperature is nine degrees below zero. LIQUOR MORTALITY IN U.S.A. NEW YORK. Jan. 14.

The following survey is announced of twenty-five American cities: Poisoned liquor and aleliololism took 1517 lives in ID2b. representing an increase of four hundred over 1924 figures. New York heads the list, with 478 deaths. Chicago is next with 243. Then comes Pittsburg with 140. Washington alone showed no increase, i. 4 deaths, the same as in 4924. Dallas and Milwaukee reported no fatalities. Seattle reported less fatalities than 1925. Many Southern cities report no poison deaths, due to the fact that much home-made Corn whiskey is consumed, but the alcoholism fatalities remain fairly constant. The centres of large 'foreign population are the heaviest Hit by the poisoned liquor, unscrupulous vendors having unlimited scope, due to the ignorance of the purchasers. BRITfSII WAR GRAVES. LONDON. January 14. The Prince of Wales has written L. F. Worthingtou-Evans, expressing his satisfaction, as 'President of the War Graves Commission, that Britain. Canada, and Australia are conjointly endowing the Commission will: £5.090.000. He slates he hopes that the interest therefrom will provide a sufficient income to maintain the cemeteries’ graves, and monuments in the manner fulfilling the pledges given to the relatives, who may rest assured that the last resting place will be properly eared for. The Prince of Wales gratefully congratulates the Commission on the successful accomplishment of its great task. FRENCH TANGLE. THE RIVAL PLANS. PARTS, Jan. 11. After practically rejecting the Government's financial proposals and approving of a counter scheme submitted by the Left Cartellists, the Chamber of Deputies’ Finance Committee has agreed to defer the Government’s wish and to draw up a report to enable the Chamber to decide between the rival plans.

AUSTRALIAN LOANS. LONDON. Jan. lb. The "Financial Times" and the “Financial News” merely comment on the results of the Australian loans that are expected. The •‘.Morning Post" says: The recent high terms for foreign loans have momentarily diverted the attention ol the ordinary investor from gilt-edged securities, and the professional investors are aware of such a tendency, and i they will doubtless endeavour to acquire the new gilt-edged stock at a I discount, if possible. It. is most stir-1 prising, however, to find, as on pro- I vions occasions, that, tic discount rapidly disappears with the* absorption ot the stock by purchases on the market. CANADIAN POLITICS. OTTAWA. January It. The Liberal Government has been sustained, by it majority of three votes j in the first test ot strength in Um new Parliament. OTTAWA, January Lb. The Progressives, with the exoep- j lion of live, all the Independents, and all the Labour members voted with the Liberal Government, against the Opposition amendment. Following the defeat of the amendment, the House adopted without further division, a Government motion which the Conservative leader, Mr Meighan, sought to amend. This motion is to give precedence to the consideration ol the Address-in-Reply to the speech from the Throne. The no-confidence amendment recounted that in the general election, tile Liberals were defeated in a largo majority oi ridings, that nine ministers of the Crown, including the Prime Minister. Mr MacKenzie King, were defeated, that the Conservatives secured the largest support by the popular vote, and that they have the largest number of members of any party in the House, and it declared that the continuance of the Liberals in office would lie a violation of the principles and practice of British constitutional law.

CONTROL OF IRAQ. LONDON, January 11. The Colonial Office announces that a. now Anglo-Iraq Treaty, continuing tlie present regime, was signed at Baghdad yesterday, in accordance with the terms of the League of Nations’ decision. T.ONDO.V. January 15. Speaking at the launching of a ship at Napier and Millar’s yards, Glasgow. Sir William Raeburn said he did not believe there was freight in the wot Id which would cover the working costs of the new vessels. A ship which his firm put on the stocks in 1020 for £215,000 was offered him yesterday £45.001. Tf the workers had lieen partners in the shipping industry in recent years they would have had to pay hack a largo proportion of their wages. CHINESE AFFAIRS. TOKfO. January 15. The report of Cbangtsolin’s alleged declaration of independence is untrue, ft. is considered a mistake, which originated from, the issue of a. proclamation suspending all relations with Peking, ncnding the establishment of a firm Government.