GENERAL CABLES.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1928, Page 3

GENERAL CABLES.

Australian Press Assli.— Uiiited Service

TEA POSITIONS. CALCUTTA. May 3. Calcutta tea circles are greatly interested 'in, but not particularly inclined to accept; Pilcher’s House ol Commons figures regarding the displacement of Indian by Java tea. Although the consumption of Java tea since 1919 has increased from eighteen to sixty-one million pounds, and Indian tea lias declined from 2.39 to 2133 million pounds, the only menace to Indian tea is considered to be steady improving quality of Java tea, which has lor a long time been blended with Indian and more Indian is now being used. At present the position is disquietciiing. been use there are forty million pounds in excess of the home stock, To make the position really strong, home stocks must drop to seventy millions by July, but other outside markets are I our teen millions short. Calcutta opinion is that a great deal depends on Russia. If she comes in as a big buyer the

whole position will he alleviated. Tlio general tone here is confidence, shown by the rising prices in January, when the output figures wore the highest.

N.Z. LOAN. ■LONDON, Alny 3. The New Zealand loan closed, applications for the conversion loan having reached five millions. PR.TCK OK WALES TO TOUR Al-'IMCA. (Reciivod this day at 19.15 a.tn.l LONDON 1 , AI av 3. The Prince of Wales’ next tour will be an unofficial visit to Kenya and other African Dominions in the autumn. Ho will most likely lie accompanied hv the Duke- of Gloucester, file Prince is especially desirous of visiting the Eastern African Dominions because tbev arc llie only parts of the Empire which lie lias not visited, ihe visit will include Egypt about September, East Africa October, Northern Rhodesia November, Transvaal December, Capetown January. LABOR PARTY'S VIEWS. LONDON, May 3. The Parliamentary Labour Party after a meeting at which AD Ramsay AfaeDonald presided, issued a statement that while four reserved points were outstanding still, Anglo-Egyptian differences may at any moment produce a conflict. Labourites’ apprehensions have been increased by llie British ultimatum .of threat of armed force, which the IT.vburitcs strongly condemn as wholly uusuited to the situation and calculated to leave feelings inimical to the relations desired, with 'Egypt. It urges Britain to repent the assurances of 1922, and that the reserved points should ho subject to an agreement enabling Egypt to enter into negotiations thereon, also to become a member of the League whereby the security of Imperial communications and Suez Canal could be placed on an international, unassailal»lo foundation.

THE CONDEMNED BROWNE. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, May 3. Browne is at present shamming madness, apparently with the idea of obtaining transference to Broadman criminal asylum, fie never ceased to storm and rave that- he is unliapp>. To the warders he asserted from the beginning that he would not. wear other than his own clothes, with the result that since his conviction he has not worn any. Doctors. however, easily recognise a real madman from a malingerer. Thus Browne is reported to he fully responsible. Tt is intensting to recall that Kennedy while awaiting trial at Brixton, pretended lie was tjiflcffng from general paralysis and was insane, fie assumed the role of a wealthy man and signed cheques for a thousand sterling.

NEW ZEALANDERS LUNCHEONED

Australian Press Assn.—United Service

(Received this dav at 12.25 o.mA LONDON, May 3

The Empire Parliamentary Association, Hon Anicrj presiding, gave a luncheon to New Zealand Parliamentarians, Hon .lames- Anderson and Hon T. Wilford. also to Sir William MaeKen*jie.