MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1926, Page 2

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.]

ARTIFICIAL TEXTILES PROFITS. LONDON, Feb. 15. The economic possibilities of artificial textiles arc shown by the fact that the Courtalds Company’s profits for the year amounted to £4II,(XX) after all taxation and depreciation had been paid. Tbe directors arc carrying one . million pounds to the reserve fund, be- r sides paying a dividend of five shillings per share free of income tax, which is equal to twenty-five per cent. They are also carryng forward £1,046,030. POLICY OF U.S.A. LONDON, Feb. 15. Air Beck, former Solicitor-General of the United States, writing in the “Atorning Post,” in a series of articles on the world outlook, defends America’s aloofness from European affairs. He contends that “if she became an intermeddling Paul Pry, it ♦ would make tbe confusion worse con- Jr founded.” , , , „ “If.” savs Air Beck, “the late President Wilson had not gone to Versailles there would have been a specdiei and a bettor peace. Similarly the Locarno * Agreement would have been more complicated if America had been represented at the Conference there. Her refusal to enter the League of Nations because its constitution is structuiallj false to the basic principle of tho oqualitv of sovereign states, will be helpful in rebuilding it on soundei foundations.” . . “Meantime,” he concludes, Amenca's economic penetration into the njvT dustrial development of Europe will have beneficial results.” BANK NOTE SCANDAL. LONDON, February 15. The “ Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent states: Many icpoits have reached London predicting the imminent resignation of the Hungarian Premier, Count llcthlen, because none of tin* Cabinet members, not even the Regent. Admiral Horthy. will support an investigation into the notes scandal. The correspondent adds: “ lhc Little Entente’s recent pronouncement not to oppose the selection of a Monarch, piovided that he is not a Ilapsburg, is almost an inducement to Admiral Horthy to proclaim, himself King ot Hungary, but it is a moot point whether lie would prove more harmless •--< than the former Archdukes in relation to the Secession State.” INQUIRY REFUSED. LONDON, Fob. 16. In the House of Commons, to questions, Sir V. Steel replied stating tho Government refused to appoint a commission of inquiry into the marine wireless dispute, on the ground that such a court could only he empowered to inquire into the circumstances, and not to lay down any term of .settlement. He said the issue had been narrowed down as the result of the last week’s negotiations. He asked both sides to meet again without delay. THE FRENCH TANGLE. NEW TAXES PASSED. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) PARIS, Feb. 15. The. Chambers’ Finance Committee rejected, hy thirteen votes to eight, the Government’s proposal to tax payments which is the main feature of AI. Doumer’s proposals. Tl lo Chamber was engaged during the week end in a sort of game of . .ninepins, rejecting or (shelving cossivelv <hi uses of the Finance Committee’s Bill, providing new revenue from an increase on certain indirect taxes, the Government having fixed the 1 nth February us the time limit for sending up a special partial bill to tbe Senate, giving tbe Government the funds needed to meet estimated budget deficit of half a milliard. Time is running out and the gap, which has to be filled, is widening. An appeal hy At. Briaud to the Chamber to vote funds proved fruitless.

The Socialist, Al. Keuaudel attacked, Al. Briaud for the dislocation of tiny cartclist- majority. AT. Briaud, in reply, virlunliy accepted the divorce from the Socialists. He declared Socialists had rendered an agreed solution of the financial problems impossible. hut the Government was determined to go right through. Tho Finn nee Bill would Ire voted in the Chamber and sent to the Senate and when the Senate put the bill in shape the Government will return it for the Chamber to say make or leave it. If the Chamber refuses to give the Government the means of governing the Government would frealise the time had come to pass the responsibilities of office on to other shoulders. After an all night sitting th e Cham- ~ her voted the new taxes by 257 to 145, AI. Briaiul having made it a matter of confidence.