XMAS CONTRASTS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1930, Page 6

XMAS CONTRASTS

A LAVISH PARTY. [United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] WASHINGTON, .December 27. A million dollar debut party was a night after Christmas of rare proportions that occurred here, when Mr Henry- Doherty, the oil magnate, and Mrs Doherty, presented their daughter,! -Helen, to society. Neither of the women wore jewels, hut special trains from the principal cities of the United States brought guests. Tlie entire floor of the largest hotel, with, several ball i rooms, was engaged. Several thousand persons attended, arid the extent and expensiveness of the decoration, music, refreshments, etc., made the event the most lavish of its kind in the history of American society. It is understood that the outlay involved was a million dollars. RELIEF WORK. WASHINGTON, December 27. Public works, including also large private enterprise undertakings for relief, will total 500,000,000 dollars. “The' country is a net-work of coinmissions and committees pushing forward every bit of public work possible and for preventing suffering among those who cannot be put to work.” > BRITAIN’S CHRISTMAS. (Official Wireless). RUGBY; December 25. The Christmas'rush prevails at London railway stations, and a specially augmented service will be run to-day on all lines for the crowds of holidaymakers.- V The fog lifted yesterday just in time :to enable the railway companies to deal with the holiday traffic. Over 50,000 passengers left Paldington Station yesterday and 80,000 are expected to-day. ' Forty-four additional trains will be run, and the principal expresses will be duplicated between six and eight o’clock "to-night; Thirty trains will leave, One every four minutes. • Despite the economic depression the hotels at the seaside and other resorts are full for Christinas. GILT EDGED STOCKS UP. ; LONDON, December 27. A reduction in the American discount rates resulted in a fillip in gilt edged stocks' on Xmas Eve, all British and Indian funds advancing appreciably. ( Australian stocks, did not participate in the rise, and a few iii which there was dealing, showed a drop of £i.; The' “Financial Times,” in an editorial, welcomes the Australian loan result, as a proof that investors are willing to smooth the- way towards the unpleasant task of reducing the cost of production. Tlie paper says that the Premiers’ Conference resolutions are still unimplemented, but if tlie workers are willing to match the investors’ action it will be a long step forward.