BRITISH NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 February 1920, Page 5

BRITISH NEWS.

CONGESTION IN LONDON DOCK?. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Fob. 8. The congestion at the docks is mi abated. There are -210 vessels at pre .sent jn the Port of London; I.}, aggre gatiij'g 02,000 tons, are in the r,ivcr. awaiting an opportunity to entei dock—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SINN FEIN TERRORISM. London, Feb. 7. At Dublin a large party disarmed anrl bound a watchman and then removed half a ton of gelignite from the steamer Ar.:low on Saturday.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WOMEN AND THE LEAGUE.

London, Feb. 7. Twenty thousand women crowded the Albert Hall at a Sleeting to support the League of Nations. There were two great overflow meetings. Lord Robert Cecil, Ladv Astor, Lady .Islington, Mis* Roydon, and Miss Mary M'Arthur were among the speakers,

WASTE OF MEAT. London, Feb. 8. A curious prosecution took place of six Newcastle food officials charged with wasting 1325 carcases of Australian meat received in July, 1919. which they unreasonably retained until September, when it was unfit for food. The accused included the local livestock commissioner, the area meat supply agent, and members of the meat distribution committee under the Food Controller. The Magistrate dismissed the case. The defence argued that the committee's only power over the frozen stores consisted of releasing them when a shortage of livestock— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. business Combines. London, Feb. 7. Business syndicates are steadily buying up Lancashire spinning mills, of winch six, involving several millions sterling, were sold yesterday at an average of five times the original capital A similar tendency towards combination is observable in regard to retail stores, particularly West End drapery firms. Debenhams recently absorbed Harvey Nicholls, together with Marshall and Snelgrove. The new company has a capital of £8,000,000. Harrods to-day provisionally arranged to purchase Swan and Edgars in Piccadilly Circus, which is considered one of the finest sites in the world. Harrods and Selfridges have recently acquired some of the largest retail stores in Hie northern provincial cities.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. .SOLDIERS AS CLERGY. . London, Feb. ft. The service candidates' r.-rdination fund has appointed an executive to HXtend the appeal for aspistanee to all horn? and overseas command. It is pointed out many of th? men trained will minister in thp ))o/nui\r>nß «tnil some will come from the Dominions to England. INSURANCE AGAINST. BURGLARY.

London, Pol), 8Owing to numerous Ir.i's'artes the insurance companies arc heaviit increasing the premiums for shoos and warehouses, especially those dealing in textiles, and are refusing to insure the clothinsr trade unless a watchman is guarding the premises. NICKEL FOR COINAGE. London, Feb. 8. The National News thntes that the Government lias given a contract, fop large supplies of nickel for coinage, rejplaclu silvtr and bronu.