FROM OVERSEAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 245, 16 October 1931, Page 8

FROM OVERSEAS.

PASSENGERS ON THE VENTURA CONDITIONS IN TT.S.A. BUSINESS, PEOPLE- WORRIED.

Fine weather all the way- across the Pacific was experienced by the Matson liner Ventura on her run from. San Francisco and Los Angeles to Auckland; The vessel arrived in port early this morning and berthed at ■ the- Prince's wharf at 8 a.m. Calls were made at Honolulu, Pago Pago and Suva, and the Ventura will continue her journey to Sydney at 5 p.m. to-day. Ten passengers landed at Auckland —four in the first class and six in the.second. There are 47 through passengers for Sydney and 16 will join the liner here. There were 1659 bags and packages of mail and 206 tons of cargo for Auckland.

Effects of Britain's Action, : ; Returning to Australia after. a business trip to the United: States, Mr. ■ Jα.) J> Johnson, a leather merchant of Brisbane, said things were in a very bad way- in the States. "The bankers over . there candidly admit that they are worried," he said, "and especially in the Southern States. The fact that Great Britain has gone off the gold standard will have a tremendous effect on trade. Financiers over there now realise that the high tariff walls that have been raised against other countries are having a detrimental effect and there is a movement afoot to have alterations made. It is further realised that businesses in the States cannot hope to compete in the world's markets against Great Bri : tain, and men who are in responsible positions are at their wits' ends to know how to counteract. the changed conditions. Taxation in the States is just about as high as it can go, and the endeavour is not to.increase it if it is at all possible. Even so things are in such a parlous state that : there was some talk—and pretty general at that— of introducing a sales tax on lines somewhat similar to Australia. It was feared, however, that if such, -were operated people would > become more unsettled than they are/ to-day. •

Controversy in Fiji. Mr. ,A. E. Pearce, a merchant of Suva, Fiji, left the Ventura at Auckland. Discussing Fijian affairs generally Mr. Pearce eaid the capital of the islands was feeling the general depression and there had been a drop in trade. There was a feeling that the Legislature was not doing all it should in helping the unemployed. The residents of Suva, and elsewhere, were much concerned at proposals put forward which provided for the retention of wages of the higherpaid civil servants at former level, and the consequent dismissal of lower-paid people in the Government's employ. The Legislative Council was to have met.on Tuesday when it was understood that the elected members would have some strong comments to make. Tlhe public were right behind, their own representa*tives, and if something were not done to reduce the salaries of the "heads" and retain the services of the lower-paid individuals, then more would be heard of the injustice. Other Personalities. Mr. 0. Robert Kreese, of Chicago; accompanied by Mrs. Kresse, is making one of 'liis periodical visits to Australia. He is completing a tour : of the world, during- which" he :has been ■ making investigations : - into the meat trade. Mr. Hugh. S.' Gibson* accompanied by Mrs. Gibson,;is returning '■ -to--India after a vacation. He is ■ a-member of the Forest-' Office, staff of the-Court of Awards in; India. Mrs.;.E. 0. Fickendey, wife of the chief steward' of the Matson liner Malolo, is on; a visit to. Australia while her husband is .: on :tne Malolo's third annual around the Pacific-cruise. Mrs/iA. H.,Dibles is returning to Australia after visiting her .son in London. Hβ is- the Matson Line's Australian representative of Pickford's Travel Agency in/London.