The Advocate. [Established 1888.] [PUBLISHED DAILY.] OLDEST ESTABLISHED PAPER AND GUARANTEED LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THE DISTRICT. SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1910. NOTES.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXII, Issue 66, 19 March 1910, Page 4

The Advocate. [Established 1888.] [PUBLISHED DAILY.] OLDEST ESTABLISHED PAPER AND GUARANTEED LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THE DISTRICT.

SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1910. NOTES.

CIRCULATES IN Dannevirke Mangatoro Tamaki Ngapaeruru Mangahe Weber Ti Tree Point Waione Wimbledon Herbertville Akitio Horoeka Oringi Kiritaki Maharahara Woodville Umutaoroa Matamau Piripiri Makotuku Ormondville Norsewood Takapau Whetukura Awariki. Otanga Kumeroa Rangitane Raumati Rua Roa S. Norsewood Tiratu Tipapakuku Mangapuaka Mangatuna Makaretu

Home politics still present a subject of great interest, but there have been no developments of any importance during the week. The Government is taking matters very quietty, and is evidently not urged b3 r any consuming desire to precipitate a crisis. Of course delay is in their favor to this extent—that they are thus afforded the opportunity of strengthening their position by establishing a basis upon which they' may claim the support of the Nationalists and the Laborites. At the same time, the latest cables appear to indicate that in this respect they have not been successful. Mr John Redmond, the leader of the Irish party, expresses the opinion that there will be a general election in a few weeks' time; while Liberals are complaining that Sir Edward Grey, by his recent speech, has dispelled the hopes of adjusting the difficulties with the Nationalists. Further, the Labor party is reported to be dissatisfied because the Government apparently intends to proceed with the reform of the House of Lords in preference to passing the Budget. If these several statements accurately represent the position, it would appear that the Asquith Cabinet must be fast tottering to its fall. Some developments may be anticipated when the House re-assembles after Easter.

It will be noticed that the question of the treatment accorded to the Coventry Ordnance Works, of which Mr Mulliner was the late manager, was referred to in the House of Commons on Thursday last. This matter was given considerable prominence a few months ago. Briefly, it is this: Mr Mulliner states that in 1906, as the result of investigations in Germany by servants of the company, lie found

that when certain plant then under course of construction was delivered, Krupps' works would possess a capability of output in large guns and gun-mountings at least twice as great as existed in the whole of England. Mr Mufiiner contends that he gave the Admiralty numerous proofs of his assertions, and also invited them to obtain a report for themselves, but his warnings were disregarded. In February, 1909, Mr Mulliner had an interview with the Imperial Defence Committee, and pointed out to them that what had then been proved correct had been set forth in his letters of May, 1906. Mr Mulliner alleged that as the result of this interview, the Admiralty determined they would place no more orders with the firm until Mr Mulliner left the works, and that under the circumstances he had no option but to retire. The foregoing conveys the gravamen of Mr Mulliner 1 s charges, and it is satisfactory to know that the First Lord of the Admiralty has now declared that the accusations were baseless.

The cables have recently informed us that the woolbuyers, both Euglish and foreign, have taken strong exception to the proposed abolition of the customary draft allowance. Some 630 buyers have really determined to bovcott the sales if the resolution of the colonial shippers is insisted upon. "Trade custom" is a difficult thing for the layman to understand, but when once firmly established, it is not easy to abolish or vary the market conditions. Jn fact, some of these trade customs are like the laws of the Medes and Persians, they never alter. Some particulars as to this particular dispute are given by a correspondent writing from London on February 4. The writer states that the Colonial Wool Importers' Committee has received a suggestion from the colonial shippers and growers that, beginning with the July series, the lib draft per 1001b, which is allowed on all wool passing through the London sales, should be abolished. Strong objection was made by the buyers, and it was pointed out that the abolition of this time-honored custom would cause serious dislocation throughout the whole of the industry, that it saved a multitude of jetty annoyances due to small claims of short weights, as because of the lib draft there are very few claims made in London for shortage under 281bs. Also that it did not in reality involve the seller in a loss, because this allowance was, together with freight, rate of exchange,

and other expenses, always duly calculated in the clean scoured reckoning, and the price assessed accordingly. The meeting pledged themselves to resist by every possible means any attempt to enforce the new proposals It was suggested that during the interval between now and the March sales each buyer and each commission broker should secure from the firms which they represent a written declaration empowering tliem, in case of need, to resist the proposed new conditions, and this was carried with unanimity amid great enthusiasm.