GENERAL CABLES.

Taihape Daily Times, 7 March 1919, Page 5

GENERAL CABLES.

NEW HEBRIDES CONTROL

MR MASSEY’S SUGGESTIONS

LONDON, March 5,

In connection with the numerous special conferences in regard to the Pacific Islands, Mr W. F. Massey, who has been closely engaged during the past month on official duties, has taken advantage of the opportunity to urge upon the Imperial authorities the question of improving the position in the Now Hebrides, where dual control has not been a success. The New Zealand Premier has explained the difficulties existing, and the obstacles to development of the fertile islands and the betterment of the natives. He has also made practical suggestions for improvement, and these are now receiving consideration.

SERIOUS CANADIAN CHARGES

MADE BY A LEGISLATOR

Received 8.26 NEW YORK, March 6

The New York Times’ Toronto correspondent states that Sir Sam Hughes, in the course of a speech in the House of Commons, charged Canadian officers on the West Front with needlessly sacrificing lives of men for the purpose of gaining personal advancement. Hughes said he had protested to Borden regarding the needless slaughter at Cambrai, Lens and IPasschcndaele. Hughes also made a charge of profiteering by the Canadian packers supplying Canadian troops.

COTTON TRADE DEPRESSED JAPANESE COMPETITION LONDON, February 23 There iare fears of severe depres sion and great unemployment in Lancashire owing to the dearness of cotton and high wages rendering exports largely unprofitable. Two thirds of the looms in Burnley and Blackburn —the chief weaving centres—have been stopped. Mill owners say they are prepared to lose 10 per cent on prices to keep the wheels going, but customers in India, the principal market, demand 30 per Cent reduction, which cannot be faced.

The Japanese *are employing subsidised ships, and, with their cheap labour, are keenly undercutting British prices. The Times states that the Government has not yet produced an industrial policy. While the country is threatened with insolvency it should meet the fair demands of the unions ungrudgingly and instantly, and demonstrate the impossibility of any others. After that it should not budge, but must protect the community.

WAR EXPENDITURE

DECREASES IN BRITAIN

Received 11.15

LONDON, March 6,

In the House of Commons a vote for supply of £210,000,000 was carried.

Mr Baldwin pointed out that the current year’s estimates of 345 millions represented a decrease of 240 millions compared with last year, principal items are: Seventy three millions for pensions and sixty millions for railway subsidy. Following are the increases: Three and a half millions for public buildings; twenty millions for rotul repairs. Mr Adamson urged increased salarie for members of the House of Commons, also for free railway passes. It was considerable hardship to Labourites, since salaries were fixed in 1911 the cost of living had risen by 120 per cent, Mr Bonar Law said the Government could not agree to increased salaries. He estimated to reduce the Secret Service vote to £200,000.

LINER ASHORE

PASSENGERS IN PERIL

St. JOHNS, (Newfoundland) 5

The Furness liner Appenines was driven ashore on the coast. Owing to the ice pack it was irapbsible to rescue the passegers.

GERMANY’S BLACK OUTLOOK,

Received 11.15

LONDON, March 6

A despatch from Munich states the unrest in Germany is not due primarily to economic causes, as regards food the general situation is the Gormans arc better off than they were two years ago. The real source of trouble is the utter blackness of the political outlook. The idea of the Soviet system has captivated a large proportion ,of the population,