GENERAL CABLES

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1928, Page 2

GENERAL CABLES

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association. BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE. LONDON, March IG. The British Empire Film Institute adopted a resolution urging reciprocal arrangements between Britain anti the Dominions for taxation upon InterImperial films; also freedom of import in all cases where freedom is granted by Britain or any Dominion. Copies are being- .sent to Mr Churchill and Sir Cunliffe Lister for the informative. INTER-EMPIRE TRADE. LONDON. March 16. A retrospect of the work of the Imperial Economic Committee, also the Marketing Board, has been issued by the former. It stresses the success of the campaign to inculcate the ideal of voluntary preference in the minds of British consumers. Figures show the percentage of British exports to Empire before the war for ten years averaged 34.75. The percentage since 1922 has been 37.6. 39.2. 42.1. 43.3, 4S.G, and (for nine months of 19271 46.2. The last named is not actually a decrease because foreign shrinkage due to the coal strike disturbed the 1926 balance. The report extols the Overseas Board of Control adopting the Committee’s viewpoint. There is a need of moderation in applying the principle. It also elaborates the success of creating an ideal background on which the Dominions advertise their own products. In this connection it is interesting to find Canada following Australia’s example and having her own trade publicity in London. NAVAL TRUucIE. LONDON, March 16. Though the facts will not be known until the report to which Mr Bridgeman referred, has arrived, several naval correspondents make the extraordinary announcement that the genesis of the trouble was a disagreement on a proposal to have a jazz band aboard the Royal Oak. It is stated .it, in no way involves the professional capacities. The weight of evidence thus far unavailable suggests the dramatic incident was nothing more than an unfortunate outcome of a personal squabble about the social life of the ship. It seems tho affair started with a regular complaint and culminated in an irrevocable disageement. The general belief is that unnecessary prominence lias been given to tlie episode, which though most regrettable, is most remote from a mutiny or general unrest. A British united press message from Malta declares a dispute occurred between Collard and the bandmaster. The senior officer is said to have sided with tlie Bandmaster. Dewar and Daniel have reached London, and visited the Admiralty. BANK CHARGES. LONDON, March 16. Tlie Associated Australian and New Zealand Banks from Monday alter the selling rates on Australian draft mail transfers to 17s 6d per cent, discount; cable transfers 10 per cent, discount; rates for purchasing documentary bills on Australia at sight 37s 6d per cent, discount; thirty days, 48s 9d; sixty days, £3; ninety days, 71s 3d. GUEST OF GREAT BRITAIN. PARTY LEAVES BUCKINGHAM PALACE. RUGBY. March 15. The visit of the King and Queen of Afghanistan to the Palace concluded to-day, when their Majesties left Buckingham Palace for Claridge’s Hotel, where they were received by Viscount Peel on behalf of the Government, whose guests they now become. At Claridge’s two complete floors have been specially decorated and prepared for them. To-night their Majesties will entertain King George and Queen Mary and many distinguished guests at the Afghan Legation. GENERAL ELECTION ISSUE. LONDON, March 17. The opinion has been expressed that tlie general election may ho fought oil protection. In this connection, Sir Steel .Maitland at King’s Lynn, says we put Imperial preference on a stable and endurable basis. There is a case for revising now what lias been a perfectly sound fiscal policy under different conditions eighty years ago. STOCK EXCHANGE. LONDON, March 16. Activity in Marconi shares has lessened' and the excitement lias been transferred to the cable group. Eastern Telegraph jumped yesterday from 23s to 163 s and to-day there wore numerous dealing, the market closing strongly at 200 s. Eastern extension has risen from 13s on Wednesday to 191 s. A GOOD SAMARITAN. LONDON, March 16. The “Evening News” says an unknown good Samaritan, usually in evening dress, arriving in a limousine, and sometimes accompanied by ladies, lias recently frequently visited the embankment after midnight'with his pockets filled with silver. He walks the full length distributing money to the down'a ml outs whom ha sends off to more comfortable sleeping quarters. Apart from revealing himself as a New Zealander lie refuses information as to his identity, saying although he is now successful lie was nice down and out. “I was'so hungry md destitute as a youth that I ato irange peel.” He said : “I feel intensely for the poor and try to tell he youngsters of the wonderful opportunities overseas. TOBACCO KING’S DEATH. LONDON. March 16. Frederick Noel Wills, a member of the tobacco family, has died, aged 40 years. He left £5.033.000. Eight other members of the Wills family died millionaires, their total estates exceeding twenty-one millions. AFGHAN PLOT RUMOUR. LONDON. March 17. The Afghan Legation denies the rumour that the King is cancelling his Russian visit, or that there is any reason to hasten his return to Kabul. NELSON’S PLATE FOR H.M.S. SYDNEY. LONDON. March 17. The Admiralty is presenting the New South Wales Government with Nelson’s silver dinner plate, now on loan to the cruiser Sydney. FRENCH WOMEN DEMAND THE VOTE. PARIS. March 16. Scenes reminiscent of the method of Suffragettes in London occurred in tlie Senate while the Army Bill was being debated. Women in the public galleries shouted, ** Women ought to have a vote, too! ” and scattered multicoloured leaflets on which were printed "To stop war” and “ AVoinon should have tho vote to kill alcoholism.” etc. The President ordered the galleries to he cleared,