GENERAL CABLES.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1927, Page 3

GENERAL CABLES.

(Australian & X.Z. Cable Association.)

COAL OIL TRUSTS. BERLIN. July I

The Royal Dutch, Ltd. and Shell Oil group are negotiating with the German Dyestulfs Trust for the exploitation of tile oil derived from coal hv means of the Berguis proves, cabled on December Kith.

MEXICAN REGIME. M EXICO * ITV. July IT. President Callos has released twentyeight Catholic lay readers from prison, who had been charged with sedition. He said there had been an attempted religious revolt, and it had proved a failure, and was no longer a menace. MUSSOLINI JUNIOR. ROME. July IT. Signor Mussolini’s elder son, when undergoing a grammar examination, correctly answered several questions relating to the definition of the imperative mcod. When asked : “AVliat person cannot lie comma tided.’’ lie promptly replied: “The King ami my father.”

STEAMER FOUNDERS. (Received this day at 8 a.in.) CALCUTTA. ,1 ulv IS.

Twenty-six lives, including six Europeans who were trapped with the en-gine-room stall’, were lost in the sinking of the steamer Shu.‘■.'.a da of 2.24(5

tons, belonging to the Asiatic Steam Navigation Company, which sank dining a storm In the Ray of Bengal. It leit Calcutta for Akijali with a cargo of coal, with seventy-one aboard, whereof thirteen were Europeans. The steamer foundered in a few minutes. Tliree lifeboats floated clear as tile ship sank. The survivors, including the captain, swam to them and rowed to Matlai lighthouse.

REPORTED PI’RC IIASKS. LONDON, July 17. Reuter’s Warsaw representative reports Australian and New Zealand importers have entered into a contract with Lodz, textile manufacturers, to deliver important quantities of textiles; also pi'aced orders for furniture a'nd linen. BR AH M A PUTR A OVE RFI ,OIVS. DELHI. July IS. Tea gardens in the district 01, Dibrugurh in Asbam were inundated to a depth of four feet over an area ot ten square miles, through the flooding of Brahmaputra Hirer, which reached its highest level on record. The town of Dihrugarb is in serious danger of being overwhelmed by the collapse of a road which forms the last remaining barrier against the Hood waters. Thousands of cattle were swept away. WHITE’S FINANCES. (Received this day at 10.25 a.m.l LONDON. July 17. The newspaper “ Standard ” says White’s liabilities are estimated at £140,000, stocks and shares (which were mainly connected with the final unavailing gamble) £470,000. It is believed friends who joined in the gamble are liable for £'(500,000. KING’S PRIZE WINNER. LONDON, July 17. Vernon, winner of the King’s prize, is a doctor, formerly a member of the Army Medical Corps. He put up a remarkable performance, finishing up with twelve hulls, after dropping to an inner at last range, and in a most ex-, citing finish he defeated the Canadian, Lieut. Burke, by one point.

A'MANIFESTO. LONDON. July 17,

Lords Buceleueh, Northumberland, Fitzalan, Kinmore, Middleton, Setborne, Sumner and Younger have issued a. inaJiifesto stating events inside and outside Parliament since Lord Fitzalan’s motion (cabled on June 20th) renders it desirable the public should know our view when initiating the debate. ’Hie purpose was that Peers should prepare the way for reform by showing a readiness to accept limitation of hereditary rights, which are an essential preliminary to any change. Although the Commons Under Parliament Act could abolish the Lords, this action while technically constitutional would in effect fie revolutionary. It is now explained that the Government’s proposal was a mere sketch of possible reform. Unfortunately the impression in the Commons and in the newspapers was that our views are at variance with the Government.” LONDON, July 17.

“ The Government's plan was interpreted to mean that a great majority in the new house would be hereditary with twenty-six Bishops and sufficient Peers nominated by the present Government to fortify the Lords against a change, whereas we were willing to agree that the Lords should not exceed half, with additional Lords of Parliament appointed for fixed periods by nomination or indirect election, in order to represent the state of tlie parties in tlie country. Moreover thirty seats should be at the disposal of an incoming Government to fill' ministerial posts or support measures, enabling the decision of the country to be immediatey reflected in the Upper Chamber. We cannot accept the role of critics of tlie Commons and newspapers would impose that the House of

Lords should he permitted to drag on ingloriously if it consents to efface itself. We invite Conservatives not wishing to resign to Socialist hands the reform of the L-jrds to let Commoners and Cabinet know their views. We support replacing hy a reliable body that which is justly styled the weakest second chamber in the world.”

BIG PAPER DEAL. LONDON. Julv 17

The “ Daily Mail ” says thy “ Daily C hronicle Investment Corporation ” of three million capital has been formed to buy from .Mr Lloyd George ordinary shares in tho company owning the “ Chronicle,” ‘■.Sunday News” and certain provincial newspapers, paying Mr Lloyd George t 1.700.000 in cash and C1.2J0.000 in ordinary shares.

SOVIET WAGES. LONDON, July 17. A Riga correspondent says tno Soviet’s recent increased salaries give the best paid elementary teachers 24s weekly, secondary Jo, doctors oils, dentists 20s. The Soviet claims these are principle salaries, hut a decent suit of clothes costs C2T.