GENERAL CABLES

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1928, Page 3

GENERAL CABLES

(Australian & N./. Cable Association.] LIBERAL ENQUIRY REPORT. LONDON, Feb. 2. The report of the Liberal inquiry inti: Britain’s industrial future, from which the Liberals hope much will result, is an exhaustive volume of 303 pages, covering the entire economic field. The authors are the Liberal leaders, also business men and trade unionists under the auspices of the Summer School Committee in collaboration with Lloyd George. The report proposes direct State trading in favour of a development of public hoards of control of utilities, particularly electricity and advocates that large scale semi-mono-polistic private concerns, public comapnies controlling more than half the products within Britain, should he registered and subjected to stringent inspection by the Board of Trade. National savings should he employed to development transport facilities, public utilities, housing, and agricultural equipment, the Board of Investment taking over the functions of the National Debt Commissioner. An economic general staff should he established associated with Cabinet and economic Departments to study problems and co-ordinate information and plans for stabilisation measures. The report suggests measures to improve training and education, to develop marketing methods, to extend profit sharing, avoid wage disparities, and enforce a minimum wage in each industry. It says after careful study of Australia and New Zealand experiments, compulsory arbitration cannot ho recommended lor adoption in England, because it is a reversal of the voluntary policy. An industrial court is also impossible to define the governing principles, wage levels and enforce noil-acceptable decisions on powerful organisations. The report dealing with preference says any large system of duties meeting the dominions requirements would make the Empire burdensome to poor classes of Britain and cause impoverishment, preventing her doing what she now can for Imperial development. The system would he mutual only regarding the Dominions and not applicable to India, and not enforeahle in Crown Colonies or Protectorates where for it is impracticable and likely to he more harmful than beneficial. MOTOR SPEED PRIZE. LONDON, r Feh. 2. Sir Charles Wakefield lias announced his intention to devote Sir Charles Wakefields motor speed prize, which is open to drivers of all nations in addition to a gold trophy valued at ten thousand guineas, the driver to he entitled to a thousand sterling a year asi long ns he is unbeaten up to 1930, the trophy to remain the property of the governing body of the international association of recognised automobile clubs of the country to which the driver belongs; also the driver to receive an engraved replica of the cup. The first contest will he in February at Daytona.

EXCHANGES. LONDON, Fell. 2. Brussels 3495, Paris 12.10!), Stockholm 1813, Oslo 1832. Copenhagen 1020, Berlin 2042, Rome 9199. Calcutta 18 1-10, Yokohama 23 1-10. Hong Kong 24 7-10. Montreal 188. New York 487 3-16, Amsterdam 1208 L Batavia, 1209',, Prague 1643. CUP REPLAYS. LONDON. Feb. 2. In the cup replay Blackburn defeated Exeter 3—l. A MARRIAGE. LONDON. Feb. 2. Dion Titheradge and Madge Stewart were married in a reins try office. SATISFACTORY TRIAL. LONDON, Feb. 2. The cruiser Australia did a most satisfactory trial. With four-filths of her power. She achieved thirty-one knots. FIVE YEARS. BERLIN, Fell. 2. Schreck has been sentenced to five years’ impr i son men t.

BRITISH GENERAL ELECTION LONDON, Eeh. 2

The “ Daily Telegraph’s ” Parliamentary cor repo tide lit says the Go\-. ernrnent intends the session opening on Tuesday to continue till the end ol July. Then the new session beginning in November will continue till June 1929, when the general election will ho belli. PRAYER, BOOK. LONDON, Feb. 2. The real Prayer Book issue is whether the Evangelists wish to drive , Anglo-Cathoiics from the Church ol England, said Sir Henry Slesser. addressing the Catholic ..iterature Association. Slesser who was , funnel ly Solicitor-General in the Labour Government and the chief A nglo-t ntholit spokesman in the last Commons debate contended that the reserving ol the adoration of tile sacrament were inherent parts of the Catholic laith. “If Parliament forbids it we must abandon our Catholic laith or abandon the Church of England. Me Catholics claim to he part ol tlie Catholic Church and we claim the

“right to conduct ourselves according to Catholic tradition, including definitely the belief in the object of the real presence.” Slesser added that it the Church Assembly approves ot reserving the sacrament in the vestry he will he compelled to oppose the Book in the Commons.

UR ISTOL JIY E-ELECTION. LONDON. Feb. 2

Tile bye-election for West Bristol, due to the succession of Colonel Gibbs (Conservative) to the peerage, resulted: — C. Gulverwell (Conservative) ... 115.9(0 Lady Clare Annesley (Labour) 7.702 AY. Marcy ( Liberal) 4,493

FOREIGN OFFICE INQUIRY. LONDON. Fob. 2

The civil servants’ inquiry is being conducted by Sir AVarren Fisher, Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, Si l Malcolm Ramsay. Comptroller and Auditor-General, and Mr M. L. Gwyev. Procurator-General of the 1 reasurv.

It is pointed out that although these | arc members of the Civil Service, they i are not connected with the I< orcignj Office. _ Commander Mnxse. like Mr M. D. Gregory (Under-Secretarv to the Foreign" Office), is not on duty at present. The “Daily Express” protests against the secrecy, and says that this is a case where there is no need, and not even an excuse, for meeting publicity with privacy. M. BRIAND S REPLY. PARIS, Feb. 2. AI. Briand, replying in the Senate to Hen- Streseinann, said he welcomed this dialogue across frontiers as permitting decisive explanations, and disposing ot misunderstandings. Locarno contained promises not certainities. Herr Stiestf. mann at Locarno had a tendency to receive rather than to give. Germany must realise that difficulties preceded a healthy mutual understanding guaiauteeiu" the Rhineland. Of all othei nations, Germany might be assured that France was not in the Rhineland for her own pleasure. He was always williim to discuss matters with Germany! whether at the League or within the scope thereof. The Senate unanimously passed a vote of confidence in M. Briand.