The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1920. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3473, 29 April 1920, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE.

THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1920. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

With which is incorporated “The Taihape Post and Waimarino News.”

o WHY THE MARK IS RISING. The movements of the German mark are exciting interest in London, where it has appreciated from 277 to the £1 to 217 during the past week. Dealers in exchange are of the opinion that the movement is due to political influences rather than to the improvement of the German economic position It is therefore regarded as only temporary by a city authority, who says that it is common knowledge that the British Government has assured Germany that it favours a more liberal policy with regard to the supply of raw materials for the rehabilitation of industries. The factors against the maintenance of any apprecia/blec improvement are that the banks in Northern Europe are bulging with marks, and that the . inflation of the currency, proceeding from the unchecked paper money circulating, has doubled within the last 12 months.

SHIPPING AND FROZEN MEAT.

Producers who have been studying the position of the Dominion respecting the shipping and the frozen meat market will be interested -in the following telegram which was dispatched on’ Saturday by Sir James G. Wilson to the secretary of the Manawatu Farmers’ Union executive: “Regarding the conference to be called by the Board of Agriculture to discuss matters relating to shipping and to frozen meat, it has been found desirable to postpone this, probably ‘for a ‘few weeks, the reason being that one of the most important matters to be discussed is that of shipping arrangements for produce after the Imperial GOVernment’s purchases cease, and also to the Imperial authorities still controlling insulated shipping. ; The shipping companies are not‘ yet in a position to furnish definite information of a nature necessary to enable the discussion of the conference to be conclusive upon the weighty matters to ‘be dealt with. Further information as to the final decisions regarding the Imperial Government’s purchase of meat has also yet to come to hand. The Prime Minister advises that heis taking steps to secure the necessary information as soon as it becomes available, and the conference will be held at as early at date as circumstances permit.”

LADY ASTOR’S MAIDEN SPEECH.

Lady Astor’s maiden speech in the House of Commons made way for some interludes’ of a. type entirely new to Parliament, and it must be admitted that the lady member “held her own.” A (rebate aroseon a private member-’s motion declaring that the‘ War-time restrictions on drink should be abolished, and it was known before the House went fiito session that Lady 'Astol-‘would speak. Her temperance views were well known, and the members anticipated some-' thing of interest when she broke her silence of two months. Sir John Rees was the mover, and in a vigorous speech -he dendcfnced the liquor retrictions. The masterstroke came in the conclusion when the member said, With 3 meaning that could not be missed: ‘I know I have oeffnded: many suweptiibilities, and fr know} that the mod is in the pickle" for «me,'but I shall receive‘ the chastisernent With. resig-

nation and be ready to kiss the rod.” The crowded benches of the House were swayed with laughter for {L full minute, in which the first woman member, after an involuntary “Oh! ’* at the audacious. thrust, joined heartily. Her ‘turn came later. In her brief speech she remarked: “The hon. member who introduced this ‘motion’ was more than polite. In fact, I did think he had gone a bit too far. How? ever, I will consider his proposal if ‘I can convert him.” By this time even‘ the Treasury benches were crowded, and the lady member’s shaft tickled the Comrno-ns again in appreciative laughter.