BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 March 1926, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

SITUATION TRANSFORMED [Australia & N.Z. Cable Association] PARIS, March ». The political financial situation is drastically transformed. Tho Go’crnment’s late, which on Friday somicd sealed owing to Socialists and Radicals opposing an increase in tho business turnover tax, upon which tho Government insisted, but on Saturday M. Peret suddenly informed the comnittee of tbe Chamber that ho had given up t,his £ax and 'would linstcad sibmit proposals for an increase in certain indirect taxes, especially wines, leers, spirits and certain stamp duties. M. Peret asked for a little further time to put the finishing touches on the new project and tho committee readily agreed. Tims the anti-Govemment majority on tho turnover tax was averted At The eleventh ihour. .An amendment by Deputy Margaino in favour of a State monopoly of pertoleum and sugar, was adopted by tho Finance Committee. It provides State control of the importation of raw petroleum and its derivatives, and sugar from Ist January, 1927, hut it is not certain that Parliament will pass it. A LABOR VICTORY. , I JON DON, March 28. Tho Labor victory at Bothwell is ascribed, to strong feeling against a. reduction in miners’ wages, suggested by the Coal Commission’s report, as tho constituency is a mining one. The Liebral candidate forfeited his deposit.

The big drop in the Conservative poll is attributed to many Conservatives abstaining from voting, owing to Labour’s strength. The new. member once represented North Lanark. OBITUARY. LONDON, March 28. Obituary.—The Duke of Orleans. ENGLAND’S' DRINK BILL. LONDON, March 28. The fact that the consumption of alcohol in Britain is considerably less since the war is revealed by the latest, figures. There is a reduction of fourteen million gallons of spirits, or seven million barrel. 1 }. There has been an increase of live million gallons in wines. The expenditure last year was 144 s per head, or slightly more than ',£315,000,000. It is estimated that 1J million gallons of whisky were shipped from England to America for which the Scottish distillers received two million sterling. REAL GIRLS. LONDON, March 28. Miss Turbervill, the national vicepresident of the Y.M.C.A., in presenting prizes at the Guildhall said that h those who talk about the modern girl came to the Guildhall annually they would see the true type : also what exercises and athletics do. The cocktail type, of whom she was overtired ol hearing, hardly exists as compared with real girls. -