GENERAL CABLES.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1927, Page 2

GENERAL CABLES.

(By Telegra ph—Pef Press Association.' BRITISH LOANS. LONDON, Sept. 16. The Government conversion proposals apply to about 200 millions of war loans. If all are converted it will increase the conversion loan by about 285 millions, bringing the total thereof to over a thousand millions. . * FRANCE AND RUSSIA. PARIS, Sept. 17. It is understood the French Government are discussing the expulsion of Al. Rakovskv (the Soviet Minister to France) as cabled on Sept. 14th. This is the most important question raised for months, and it may revive a latent disagreement between Al. Poincare and At. Briand.

The latter imagined that M. Tchitcherin’s rebuff to Al. Rakovsky had ended the incident until a press agitation raised the question of his dismissal with which is interwoven a rupture of Franco-Russian relations. Al. Litvinoff is making efforts to avert a break, and has warned Franco that a rupture would destroy an agreement for the repayment of the Tsarist debts, which, he asserts, has l>Cen reached. Aloreover, he said, it exposed France to the gravest danger. The Poincarist journals declare that this statement is tantamount to a blackmailing ultimatum. PARIS, Sept, 18. A communique issued after the Cabinet meeting, stated that the FrancoSoviet rupture at present would not be justified, but it did not mention the Cabinet’s attitude regarding M. Bukovsky.

It was added that AL Briand has been athorised to continue negotiations for a Franco-Soviet non-aggression pact.

LONDON, Sept. 17,

The “Gazette” says: The Soviet will shortly attempt to re-open the AngloRussian relations on the basis ol a settlement of the Anglo-Russian debts, owing to its precarious financial position. necessitating the flotation of an internal loan of twenty million sterling. liearing twelve [ k 1 r cent interest, and redeemable in 15)37. Hie leading Soviet exports conci’ude ii is bettor to restore Russian credits abroad, so as to enable cheaper hollowing. COA! Al UN I STS SENTENCED. PARIS, Sept. 17. The Correctional Tribunal sentenced, by default, seven Communists, including the Deputy, Al. Clamamus, and two editors and managers of Communist journals, the sentences ranging from ten to three years, for inciting soldiers to insubordination.

SOVIET AND CHINA. SHANGHAI, Sept, 17. The preliminary trial of fifteen Russians who were arrested during the raid on the Soviet Embassy in Pekin in March last, has concluded. All were found guilty of agitating to produce an internal disturbance in China. They will' he subjected to a further trial in the High Procurate Court at an earlv date.

EIGHT HOUR DAY IN RUSSIA. MOSCOXV, Sept. 17. Tass Agency denies there are labour troubles in Leningrad, and in XYhite Russia, owing to the Soviet s refusal to introduce the eight hour day. On the contrary, the eight hour day is legally fixed, and any violation thereof is severely punished. OTAGO VARSITY EX-STUDENTS. LONDON, Sept. 17. Donald Douglas and Burton Twiees, who studied at Otago University are starting to walk from London to Karachi, via France, Italy. Turkey, Bulgaria, Persia, and They’ are « taking no money except sufficient to w.P>, cross the Channel. They intend writing to replenish their exchequer, saying: “Alotors, trains and aeroplanes have stripped the glamour from travel. XX’o are going in search of real ro-

mance.” EARTH CRACKING. LONDON, Sept. 17. As the result of the earthquake (cabled on Sept. 15th) the bottom of the Black Sea has dropped seven hundred feet.

The quake was accompanied by dense clouds of black vapour. NEW AIODES FOR GIRLS. PARIS, Sept. 17. “ The vogue of masculine clothes for girls is over,” declares M. Jacques Worth. “The Eton crop and the other boyish fashions is doomed! Fashionable people soon will be discarding tight skirts and mannish skirts. The keynote of the inodes will be softer lines. The skirts will continue to be short, hut they will be fuller, and the hats will he more feminine.” N.Z. TARIFF. LONDON, Sept. 16. Commenting on a cable from New Zealand, the Association of British Manufacturers’ Agents state that the additional trade ior Great Britain, as the result of the new tariffs, would probably amount to from one to two J million sterling per annum. The Union of Manufacturers commends the excellent example set by New Zeai’and to the Imperial, Dominion and Colonial Governments.

AIR AVAR DANGER. LONDON, Sept. 17. “The Times,” Cologne correspondent says: The German newspapers accuse the Rhineland High Commissioners of violating the air alleviations recently granted to Germany by prohibiting propaganda flights in connection with the aviation meeting at Wiesbaden, and also prohibiting the visit of thirty-six Reichswehr officers. The High Commissioners declarer the allegations concerning alleviation are a a gross misrepresentation. They state the German planes of all descriptions fly over the occupied territory every day, and that permission has been given for the establishment of three new aerodromes. The Commissioners point out that propaganda flights have temporarily been prohibited owing to the Britisil army manoeuvres. Reichswehr officers were only permitted in the Occupied Territory on private business. A QUESTION OF SALARIES. LONDON, Sept. 18. The “Weekly Despatch” states: “The Employers’ Second National Wool and Allied Textile Industrial Council have announced the termination of the wages agreement with their employees, owing to had trade, due to foreign

competition.” They state the Trades Union leaders have twice opposed the Bradford manufacturers’ application for a protective duty to keen out German goods, the \ purchases of which have increased in an alarming manner during the last 18 months. The employers now insist that both a duty and a reduction in wages are essential. There is thus the possibility of a hitter and costly struggle. A quarter of a million workers are involved. “TIN” HARE SCARE. LONDON. Sept. 18. Arising out of the greyhound betting decision in Australia, the promoters of Wembley Stadium have taken out a special policy with Lloyds safeguarding their capital in the event of a betting prohibition.