BRITISH AFFAIRS

Southland Times, Issue 18823, 17 May 1920, Page 5

BRITISH AFFAIRS

THE MEAT GLUT. DIMINUTION OF HOME CONSUMPTION. PRICE TO BE REDUCED. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, May 15. (Received May ITT 5.5 p.m.) The Food Minister (Mr C. H. McCurdy), in a statement, said as regards the glut of meat imported from Australasia, this was due to the rapid diminution of the requirements of the Allied forces on the termination of the war. The British people temporarily were eating 500,000 ton? leas fresh meat annually than normally. They were only eating three pounds now compared with four before the war. The only apparent explanation was that war time habits were not yet forgotten. The Government had decided to reduce the wholesale price of mutton from the all round figure of nine pence to prices ranging from 6]d to 9d retail. Control of prices would be removed. He expressed the opinion that a drastic reduction would tend to steady and even lower prices of other commodities. He declared that only one-half of one per cent of all the meat handled had been condemned.

MR HUGHES’ WOOL SCHEME. CONSTERNATION IN THE TRADE. LONDON, May 14. The British Wool Federation is calling a conference of importers of wool brokers and others concerned to consider Mr Hughes’s scheme, with a view to protecting the interests of Yorkshire. The Observer says the suspension of sales as proposed would disorganise the wool trade and merely involve it in a repetition of the phase of artificial values which it has already experienced. The reasonable assumption is that artificial scarcity would create another period of soaring values and feverish speculation, and the trade would have to face a reaction later. Mr Hughes’s suggestion is undoubtedly well meant, but Bradford traders are forced to conclude that he does not realise how sensitive the wool trade is or how useless it is for any country or body of people to attempt to institute a fictitious state of values in a branch of industry subject to world-wide influence.

FURTHER CRITICISM. THE SCHEME IMPRACTICABLE. LONDON, May 15. (Received May 16. 11.55 p.m.) Sir Albert Goldfinch, interviewed by the Yorkshire Post, said the principal objections to Mr Hughes’ wool scheme from the user’s point of view would be that supplies would be totally interrupted from October to December, when it was essential for the trade that 200,000 bales should arrive monthly. Three blank months would bring to a standstill a number of mills, especially in France and Belgium. It was necessary for the trade that Government wool should be sold right up to the end of December, and it would be highly inconvenient if there wore no sale here. He doubted if it would he practicable. He had no doubt that he would be able to arrange for a reasonable division of shipping between the owners of the new clip and Imperial wool. It was never their intention to ignore the interests of the growers in respect of the new clip. The Yorkshire Observer states that it is probable that not much more will be heard of Mr Hughes’ wool schemd. Inquiries show that the authorities in London do not regard it seriously. They ought to have little difficulty in convincing Mr Hugh es that there is nothing to be said in favour of the proposal. The opinion is growing here that the scheme is due to Mr Hughes being obliged to show willingness to exert himself in the interest of the Commonwealth growers. This is perfectly legitimate, but if the inference is correct the proposal need not be considered alarming. The Times’ trade supplement says there is a suspicion that Mr Hughes’ interference is prompted by a desire to nationalise Australia's woo! trade and the wool and textile industries.

BUTTER PLENTIFUL. REDUCTION OF PRICE. LONDON, May 13. Owing to plentiful supplies of homomade butter multiple shop companies are retailing it at 2s 8d per lb, consequently many retailers are refusing Government allotments of butter, which are mostly blended and inferior to home-made. The trade anticipates an early reduction of the Government retail price, probably to 2s 7d. LEVY ON WAR WEALTH. MANCEACTURERS’ OPPOSITION. LONDON, May 14. (Received May 10, 5.5 p.m.) The executive committee of the Federation of British Industries resolved to oppose a levy on war wealth by all possible means. SEDITIOUS CONSPIRACY ALLEGED. LABOUR JOURNALIST ARRESTED. LONDON, May 14. (Received May 16, 5.5 p.m.) The police raided the offices of the Workers' Dreadnought, in Fleet Street, and arrested Burgess, the manager, on a charge of seditious conspiracy in connection with the Armv. Other arrests are expected. Harold Burgess was charged at Bow Street with attempting to cause disaffection amongst the Irish Guards by supplying and attempting to circulate literature, including the pamphlet “Soviets for the British." Sir Archibald Bodkin, K.C., prosecuting, said that defendant picked up three guardsmen at an hotel and Invited them to dinner, He talked about Bolshevism and world revolution. Subsequently, in the presence of Sylvia Pankhurst, he asked them to distribute literature. One of the men said he could lay his hands on rifles and machine guns. Sylvia Pankhurst said she had trusted friends in Ireland to whom they could be sent. The police found packages on the premises addressed to guardsmen, and also a letter from one stating, “We are getting on well, and have quite a number of followers.” Accused was remanded, bail being refused. GIRL IMMIGRANTS. SHIPLOAD FOR NEW ZEALAND. LONDON, May 14. (Received May 10, 5.5 p.m.) The Mahana will take 1000 girls to New Zealand, most of whom became engaged to New Zealand soldiers during their stay in Britain. The New Zealand Office ia receiving a great number of applications, and passages for emigrants are fully booked to September. A SALVAGE CLAIM. DOVER TUGS REWARDED. LONDON, May 14. (Received May 16, 5.5 p.m.) The Admiralty Court awarded £SOOO to the Dover tugs which assisted the Marathon after her collision with a Japanese steamer off Dungencss on September 10, 1919. PLUMAGE OF BIRDS. IMPORT RESTRICTIONS. (Imperial News Service.) LONDON, May 13. (Received May 16, 5.6 p.m.) The House of Commons by 61 votes toS, read the second time a Bill prohibiting the importation of the plumage of birds except ostriches, eider ducks, birds imported alive, or birds used for food.