BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1926, Page 2

BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

tAustralia & N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON WOOL SALE. LONDON, June 7. At the wool sale there was a poolmiscellaneous selection and withdrawals were frequent. Prices generally were unchanged. The Bradford market is very quiet owing to the coal strike.

TAINUI’S EMIGRANTS. LONDON. June ". ( In tho House, of Commons, Mr Dayasked would Mr Amery (Colonial Secretary) order an inquiry into the charges with regard to the Tainui which sailed with emigrants to New Zealand on Bth January, being unsuitable for that purpose; that lempor.iry cabins were ill-ventilated, and bathing and washing facilities inadequate, and no water was supplied in the cabins for four days after leaving England. Mr Burton Chadwick replied tint the Board of Trade survey before sailing showed the ventilation, bathing and washing facilities exceeded their requirements. None of tho officers or stewards received complaints regarding tig; lack of water supply, which was replenished daily. BRITISH TAXATION. LONDON, Juno 7. “The Chancellor’s position has not improved in consequence of the recent events in Great Britain,” was Hon. \V. Churchill's significant rejoinder in ihe House of Commons in the course of tlic committee stage of tho Financo Bill. AVllon the House first discussed tho Opposition amendment to reduce the tea duty, Hon. AV. Churchill added that lie was more inclined to search in the near future for additional sources of taxation than abandon any on which the Budget was balanced. He denied the labour charge that tho Government intended to increase the indirect taxation, and lie pointed out that the luxury taxes were included in the total of indirect taxation, and were raised almost exclusively from luxuries and rich people. The amendment was defeated by 241 to 105.

TRADE PREFERENCE. .* LONDON, June 7. The House of Commons, in committoe, adopted a clause in the Finance Bill, providing for stabilising the imperial preference policy for ten years. The clause was tarred by 234 to 115, after the rejection of a Labour amendment to reduce the period to two years. The Labourites contended that tho Government is not justified in proposing an arrangement operating beyond the possible tenure of office of tho Government. Sir Ronald McNeill, replying to tho Opposition, pointed out that no Government could hind its successors, but ho said he would challenge the Labourites to declare it was their intention to abolish the imperial preference stabilisation clause. The committee agreed to the ‘emission of customs on antiques. FLOODS IN EUPHRATES. LONDON, Juno 7.

. The Bisra. correspondent of “The Times” reports that the river Euphrates continues to lie. in flood. Tl.e flood is causing grave anxiety. An important bund, protecting the I Basra-Baghdad railway, near Nasiriy'ah, has been breached. Vast areas of Sainawah are inundated. The plight of the inhabitants is a dire one. The 1 villages are encircled. DELHI, June 7. So great was tho rush for the rew Government Win in India, 4 per cent 1901-71 rupee loan at 88 'issued at £9B, subscriptions in cash and l!)2G bonds, that .it- dosed within three hours. LONDON, June 7. Tho Victorian loan of three million, 5 per cent., at £9BA has been underwritten. BERLIN, June 7. The Reichbank reduced the discount to 01 per cent and the deposit rate to 05 per cent. AFRICA’S FLAG. (Received this day at 8.50 a.m.) CAPETOWN, June 8. Tn the AsiunWy MrMalan announced the Governor-General had sent to London for Mis Majesty’s information, details of the national flag design, also a clause dealing wit'll the flying of the Union Jack and national flag on official occasions. The Minister added that advice had been received that these matters were duly laid before the King. ST. PAUL’S. LONDON, June 8. The St. Paul’s Preservation Committee reports the preservation work steadily continues. Observations have not revealed a further subsidence of the dome. THE VICTORIAN LOAN. LONDON, June 3. The Victorian loan was heavily oversubscribed.