GENERAL NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 May 1920, Page 6

GENERAL NEWS.

By Telegraph.—Press Asm.—Copyright.

The Brisbane city council voted £SOOO for the entertainment of the Prince of Wales.

Ferrain states that lie is considering pnding his flight from Japan across the Pacific to America.

Cairo reports that .two British officers ivere woundedlby a revolver shot. No arrests have Ueen made.

It is announced that the Prince oi Wales will lay the foundation stone oi Canberra.

The Appeal Court at London decided that bonus shares distributed as dividends are untaxable as income and not subject to super-tax.

The Newcastle Council decided to take no action in connection with the formation of the new Northern State and the Federal Capital League.

On a resolution moved by Mr. Hughes the House of Representatives at Melbourne voted the nation's thanks to the Navy and Army for their magnificent services in the war.

Sir Joseph Cook announced in the House of Representatives at Melbourne that the Navy's policy could not be settled until the conference in Londonnext year dealt with Lord Jellicoe's proposals.

The Victorian State Government is issuing a proclamation limiting the profits on men's ready-made tweed clothing to 25 per cejit, and on women's to 29" per cent.

General Bramwell Booth, with the headquarters staff of the Salvation Army, has arrived at Perth. He will tour Australia and New Zealand in the general interest of army work.

A serious position lias arisen at Capetown in connection with the wheat shortage- The price has advanced to 02s Od per sack of 200 bushels and flour .jumped from lis to 735. The price of bread has been raised 10 per cent. / •

The N-S.W. wheat harvest totals 4,298,630 bushels, a reduction of 1.353,628 hiv-hels compared with the previous your, and a little ?nore than onethird of the State's ro.qui,re!r?cnts for it; own consumption and seed.

Mr. Fihellv announced that the Queensland Government would not recommend any knightho6ds or other honors in connection with the Prince's visit, as it disapproved of such honors being conferred on Queensland citizens.

President Wilson has intimated his intention to veto the Knox peace resolution, if Congress adopts it. He adheres to life previous statement.'declaring that a separate peace will stain the nation's honor.

The South African Government Bill to prevent speculation in foodstuffs provide; s',---r the licensing of dealers and brokers iji foodstuffs. , The. dealers will not he allowed to lie brokers and vice versa. Xo contract 'for the sal® of foodstuffs at future dates will be valid for longer than 90 days.

The Australian Merchant Service Guild has issued a new log for coastal and inter-State vessels of 1000 tons or under, claiming £720 yearly for the master, £.jSS for the chief engineer, £4sfi for the chief officer,, £3!)0 for the second'officer, £348 for the third officer, and £3OO for the fourth and other junior officers.

The United States Embassy in Mexico City reports that two American citizens have been killed by Mexican bandits. United States warships have been ordered to Tampico and Vera Cruz in view of the serious situation. The vessels are not to interfere in Mexican affairs. Their despatch is a precautionary measure so that American citizens may have a ready refuge. '>

The British Ministry of Transport is formulating a comprehensive scheme for new railway control, absorbing .railway lines, generally increasing efficiency and modernising cross country communication. It is maintaining the management and control of |he great companies under the supervision of the Ministry.

The prospectus of the Companies' Banking Corporation announces it will have a capital of five millions sterling in lialf n, million £lO shares. It is at present issuing a quarter of a million shares at 2s fid premium. Several London banks and the P. and 0. company have applied ,for £BO,OOO.

A message from Grfindeux states that the German Government is convinced that the Russian Soviet's outcry to the effect that huge quantities of goods and manufactures are awaiting exchange is bluff to secure the recognition of the Soviet regime and the shipment of foodstuffs to Russia.

Admiral Benson, giving evidence before tlie United States .Senate Investigation Committee, said the trend of general sentiment throughout the United State? was that the Nnvv was not ju§j tified in preparing for war with Germany sooner than it did. Personally, however, he believed that war between Germany and the United States was inevitable prior to the world war.

In the House of Representatives at Melbourne Mr. Hughes introduced a Bill approving of the agreement between the Commonwealth and the Anglo-Persian Oil Co. The latter wto form a refinery company with a capital of half a million, with the Commonwealth as the largest shareholder and will erect works for refining and developing the oil industry in Australia. The Commonwealth has the option of purchasing the works at the end of 15 years-

Sir Auckland Geddes is recognised as leading a vigorous counter-offensive to fidht anti-British propaganda in the United States. This nyans the complete overturning of the. Embassy tradition?. He is making'newspaper men welcome, talking finely, ai}d discussing many questions in the public eye. The other Embassies are standing by watching silently to see the result of Sir Geddes' campaign.