MISCELLANEOUS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 January 1916, Page 5

MISCELLANEOUS.

THE FINANCIAL SITUATION. LONDON THE WORLD’S CENTRE. LONDON, January 30. Mr. Edward Holden, of the City Midland Bank, made a remarkable analysis of the financial situation. London is still the borrowing and gold centre of the world. The pound 3 sterling never had to carry such a load as at present. Naturally it had declined in value in accordance with the law of supply and demand, but while the exchange value in New , York liad depreciated 1.9 per cent, in L . Holland 10.3 per cent, in Spain .6 , per cent, and in Scandinavia 3.9 per (, cent, it had enormously appreciated [ elsewhere. The pound was above par - in Paris by 10.8, in Italy by 25.4, The 69.7 decline in Holland wa's due , to our having exported there during , the year only £17.500,000, while we , imported £28,500,000. We could,re- . adjust this by sending gold to Holland, but it might find its way to Germany. The Bank of England has £50.000,000, the Joint Stock Bank has also large sums, while there is a continuous flow from South America. PRICE OF STOCKS. REQUEST DECLINED. LONDON, January 30. The Treasury declined to accede to the Stock Exchange Committee’s request to remove minimum prices on all stocks, but agreed to their removal from Colonial Government securities and certain others. i AFRICAN SHARP SHOOTERS. FOR SERVICE IN EUROPE. LONDON. January 30. Sir Abe Bailey is equipping and ■transporting to Europe 100 South African sharpshooters. TRADE RESTRICTIONS. IMPORTANT PROCLAMATIONS. LONDON, January 30. Mr. Runciman presided over an important trade conference which is to decide the details of the prohibition of certain importations. It is expected that the proclamation regarding paper, building materials, and wood will be issued in a few days, and those relating to fruit and tobacco within a fortnight. The Daily Mail states that all fruit will he prohibited, except bananas. Consumption will be restricted to home-grown fruit. The Board of Trade is determined ithat merchants with accumulated stocks shall not be allowed to make an extortionate profit. THE CLOSED MUSEUMS. NEWSPAPER PROTEST. LONDON, January 30. An agitation, which is daily increasing, has been inaugurated against the closing of museums and picture galleries. The newspapers point out that many Australian and New Zealand soldiers are visiting London for tlie first and only time. The only alternative to visiting tlie galleries is that they often spend hours gossiping in public houses. MUNITIONS. AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE. Received this dav at 8.40 a.m. PARIS, January 30. A Commission consisting of» Messrs Lloyd George and Bonar Law, General Robertson, and Mr C. Duncan (Labour member jßaiTow(-in -Ffirness), Mr A. H. Lee (Conservative Fareham), and Mr J. L. Macpherson (Liberal member for Ross and Cromarty) have arrived to confer with Mr J. Thomas, M.P., for the speeding up of the output of munitions and closer co-operation in production. GERMANY WITHIN. A NOTE OF WARNING. PARTS, January 30. The Berlin Post deplores the flnanical situation and the Government’s policy of concealment.. It declares that it will he a great mistake if the people are not gradually acquainted with the position, which is terrifying. But few people have any idea how serious it is. Even the highest thinkable indemnity will not prevent stupendous additions to the next Budget. AUSTRALIAN WAR LOAN. A BIG SUBSCRIPTION. SYDNEY, This Day. The A.M.P. Society is investing I, in the war loan. LUXURIES. AUSTRALIA. FOLLOWS BRITAIN’S LEAD. MELBOURNE, This Day. Mr. Tudor states that tlie present intention is to follow Britain’s lead in cutting dAwn ■-importations of luxuries in order to restrict their use and relieve tlie pressure.on shipping. THE KAISER. BLOT ON HIS LIFE. ROME, January 30. The Kaiser lias abandoned his journe yfrom Nish to Constantinople in consequence of the discovery of a plot to take his life. THE BRITISH ARMY. LORD DERBY’S RECRUITS. LONDON, January 30. Gnnm 10 to 13 inclusive have been ordered to report themselves on February 29th. ,

A PURIFIED WORLD. PROFESSOR DAVID’S IDEAS. SYDNEY, This Day. At a farewell function to the Australian Mining Corps, Major Professor David, who accompanies the contingent, declared. that as -sure as God was in heaven, a day of reckoning would come. “The inhuman German monsters/’ he said, “shall see a new heaven and a new earth, with greater love for humanity. It will break down class distinction. The decision-of the British Labor Conference at Bristol is as good as, a gi’eat victory. Now we •shall be all together to down a terrible power.” THE NEXT"BUDGET. HITTING UP AMUSEMENTS. LONDON, January 30. The Weekly Despatch says that the taxation dt theatres, music halls, and cinema palaces will hie ri feature of the next Budget. ALLIES’ TROOPS CHEERED. A LIEGE INCIDENT. # AMSTERDAM, January 30. Crowds, watching the British arid Ererich prisoners passing through Liege, hooted the German guards and cheered the British and French. The Germans charged the crowds with fixed bayc/nejs. The mob thereupon dispersed. PRISONERS EXECUTED. AUSTRIAN ATROCITIES. SHOCKING REVELATIONS. PETROGRAD, January 30. The Headquarters Staff has issued the evidence of six Russian prisoners who escaped from the Austrians. They witnessed the execution of four comrades for refusing to work on defences. Some 500 prisoners participated in me refusal and four were selected for execution. Austrian cadets carried out the sentence. An Austrian deserter confirms the statement and adds that his regiment was sent to Brunerbad to force the prisoners to work. When they persisted in refusing twenty were tied to trees in a brutal manner. Some implored their torturers to shoot them. After two hours all were unconscious from syncope. * A non-com-missioned officer was literally crucified. The remaining prisoners still refused and five were ordered to be shot in the presence of their comrades. There were so many cadets at the execution that each victim was shot by a separate batch.. TRADE ARRANGEMENTS. RECIPROCITY v SUGGESTED. 0 LONDON, January 30. The Glasgow Chamber of Commerce has urged the Government to establish a Department of Commerce and Industry under a Minister with Cabinet rank to consult the dominions as to new reciprocal trading laws, and dealing with enemy firms. It also suggested the establishment of reciprocal tariffs within the Empire and with the Allies. » V NAVAL WARFARE. / SPANISH VESSELS SUNK MADRID, January 31. Two Spanish vessels were sunk by mines moored far outside territorial waters in the Bay of Biscay, probably by German submarines.

COPENHAGEN, January 31. A German submarine captured the Banish steamer Yidar with provisions which she was taking to England. The vessel was conveyed to Swinemurde. - AUSTRALIAN ROBBERS. GERMAN THREATS OF RETALIATION. LONDON, January 30. The Neueste Nachrichter says that (he Australians ar eobviqusly endeavouring to outdo “the gentlemen of London” in plundering private property. -It describes the barring of German shareholders as the latest atrocity. The British colonies one day will bitterly repent; the present robbery. , They have struck the heaviest blow at their own future prosperity. ENGLAND AND ITALY. URGENT QUESTIONS. ROME, January 31. The Tribuna says that Baron Major, formerly Ambassador at Constantinople, is going to London to discuss grave and urgent economic questions necessitating an Anglo-ltalian agreement. NEWS IN BRIEF. NEW SEAPLANE BASE. ROTTERDAM, January 30. There is a new base at Zeebrugge for seaplanes and Fokkers. COMING HOME. LONDON, January 28. Sir Thomas Mackenzie farewelled 130 incapacitated men,, who left on their return to New Zealand. VILNA ON FIRE. PETROGRAD, January 29. A fire has been raging for several days at Yilna and the wooden quarters have been consumed. KILL ALL DOCS. A GERMAN DECREE. LONDON, January 30. The Central News’ correspondent at Copenhagen says that the people of Germany have been advised to kill all clogs except the most costly and best breeds.. The flesh may be eaten and the skins will he utilised to provide soldiers’ coats.