BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 May 1906, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN.

[■X XUCTUO tXLEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT ] i, ■ .■>; In* (Ull ASSOCIATION-] . GERMANY CANNOT REDUCE HER ARMAMENTS. BERLIN, May 14— Germans journals declare that it is impossible for Germany to agree to Britain’s proposals to reduce the armaments of all nations.

WELL DONE, LABOR UNIONS! NEW YORK, May 14.—1 n order to assist in re-building San Francisco the Labor Unions have promised not to demand increased pay for skilled or unskilled labor. LIFE POLICY TRANSFERS. LONDON, May 14—The North British and Mercantile Insurance Company offer to take over the British policies of the New York Mutual Life Assurance Company, amounting to nine millions, in exchange for North British policies without medical examination or extra premium. EARTHQUAKES AT HOME. LONDON, May 15.—Five more earthquake shocks have been experienced in Guernsey, in the Channel Islands. THE POSTAL CONGRESS. ROME, May 15.—Sir Joseph Ward, on Monday, gave a dinner in Rome to one hundred and twenty of tho delegates to the Postal Congress. Enthusiastic speefthes were given by tho delegates at the function. Sir Joseph has given £2OO to the Vesuvian sufferers relief fund.

THE GERMAN COALING STATION BERLIN, May 15.—A semi-official statement has been made in Berlin recarding tho report as to the coaling station establishment at Lant. It is \ to the effect that nothing is known in well-informed quarters in Berlin in reference to the .matter.

AUSTRALIA’S PROSPECTS. LONDON. May 15.— The Chairman of the London Bank, presiding at the annual meeting of shareholders, stated that, with a few more such seasons as those which had recently been experienced in Australia, he believed that the prospect for Australian institutions and banks would bo better than any seen during the last twelve or thirteen years.

BRITISH RAILWAY RATES. LONDON, May 15—The Departmental Committee.on Railway Rates, reports that no unduo preference is accorded to foreign and colonial produce as compared with Homo produce. The farmers of Britain should combine and co-operate in sending produce in larger quantities, and packed so as to give good loading in trucks.

REDUCTION OF ARMAMENTS. PARIS, May 15.—The newspaper Le Temns says the limitation of armaments is impossible in view of Germany’s warlike preparations.

SUPERANNUATION DEFICIT. LONDON, May 15.—Tho actuarial deficiency in the Great Northern Railway Superannuation Fund amounts to half a million. THE CHINESE TROUBLE. PEKIN, May 15.—The Chinese Government has explained that tho t ustoms edict is intended to simplify the administration, and not io supersede Hart’s establishment. Foreigners, nevertheless, fear that the reorganisation is designed to interfere with the interests of tho Powers.

AUSTRALIAN MILITARY AFFAIRS.

LONDON, May 15.—Tho Selection Committee have appointed Lieutenant Colonel H. J. Foster, of the Royal Engineers, and late military attache at Washington, to tho position of Director of Military Science in the Sydney University. It is considered to be an excellent appointment. ,owing to the exceptional literary, scientific and strategic qualifications of the appomtee. The War Office hesitate to part with so valuable an officer. V' THE UNEMPLOYED. LONDON, May 15.—Nine thousand unemployed demonstrated at West End, protesting against tho Government’s neglect, denouncing Burns inactivity, and hissing tho wealthy classes. Keir Hardie delivered a violent speech.