LATE MESSAGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 February 1923, Page 2

LATE MESSAGES

SYDNEY, February 1.

The Commonwealth Line has caused consternation in Conference shipping circles by announcing its intention to utilise its idle ships by entering the American trade. Cargoes of wool will be carried a farthing a lb cheaper than by the Conference line. MELBOURNE, February 1. The Nationalist Party decided by a vote of 34 to 4 that the Country Party’s condition for the composite Ministry that Mr Hughes be jettisoned, was unreasonable. It is expected mr Hughes will now meet the House, and the Country Party will vote against him with Labour on a censure motion, as Dr Earl Page has declared the Country Party is determined not to support a Nationalist Government with Mr Hughes at the head. PARIS, January 31. A Dusseldorf message states that the expulsion of (JerniHii officials is incieasing daily. The Mayor of Dusseldorf, the president of. the Railway Board, and the President of Police in Essen have been arrested and taken to an unknown place, and their families given four days to leave the occupied zone. PARIS, January 31. “L e Petit Parisien’s” Lausanne correspondent says that Turkey’s counter proposals are apparently a criticism of the Allied terms of peace, rather than a series of definite proposals. WASHINGTON, January 31. While there are no official comments pending Sir A. Geddes’' notification of the British debt acceptance, the Administration is highly pleased with the news. The Treasury states that Mr. Mellor believes the action will have an incalculably good effect on the critical world economic situation. President Harding intends immediate action, and will place the matter before Congress. It is believed that he will ask for an alteration in the Debt Funding Act to make it conform with the British arrangement, instead of asking specific authority to consummate a single agreement. Early Congressional comment, indicates speedy approval of the terms. It: is learned that the Bill providing Congressional approval of the Debt Funding will be introduced in the Senate not later than Monday. WASHINGTON, January 31. Tlie Department of Commerce has learned from Chinese sources that the British Government has decided to remit the balance of the Boxer indemnity of approximately sixty million dollars, for mutually beneficial purposes. NEW YORK, January 31. Sterling rose a point to 464.61 within fifteen minutes of the receipt of the news of the British acceptance of the debt terms. The French franc is steadily declining. WELLINGTON, February 1. Tlie Advisory Board of the War Relief Societies Federation to-day, decided to continue its activities. The Chairman, Mr L. O. H. Tripp, reviewing the work, said that the War Funds Council was now capable of taking over the funds of .societies whose work would permit them to cease operations. The number of societies was reduced at the end of last year from 983 to 93, and at the end of next March it would be 43. In Wellington, claims had been unexpectedly numerous and far above tlie previous year. More men had broken down as the result of wav service, and hard times had affected the position. Eighty per cent, of the loans were being repaid. The funds of the societies totalled £BBO,OOO. He said that the societies did not lose their individuality by placing their fund with the Council. Funds had still to go to the district whence they came and be locally administered. He suggested that the Council was the fit and proper body to carry on the work the Advisory Board had been doing. Mr V. I. Larner (Auckland) concurred.

Mr J. J. Dougall (Christchurch) said the Board cost little and might be appreciated later. z

Mr Snodgrass said that the Council might formulate a policy antagonistic to the Board’s views, and the Board should exist to combat such. After further discussion, in which it was stated the Board only cost 20/, if it did not meet, it was decided to continue, but only t,i meet in case of necessity. The Board reaffirmed its previous resolution disapproving of the Taranaki system of grants as gifts.

AUCKLAND, February 1Under the direction of Eire Super intendent Wilson, and the Harboui Master, oxy-acetylene.drills were worked on the hull of the Canadian Pioneer just under the bridge, which seemed the true seat of the fire- There the plates of the ship had bulged perceptibly, with the enormous heat, and paint had blistered off in great sheets. The work of blowing these holes was difficult and dangerous. Strong north-east winds had raised a swell and the h, refloat rose and fell alarmingly. I he stage was lowered for the men with blowers to work from, but it was found impossible to work this owing to the terrific heat of the hull, and th© job was done from the deck of the small vessel. Six circles were perforated by a blower, then a sledge smashed an opening for three hoses. The amis of., the men were scorched. The tremendous quantity of water pumped caused the Canadian Pioneer to take a heavy list to port, the rail of her main deck bulwark being on a level with the wharf while the starboard rail canted high on the seaward side. LONDON, January 31. Sir J. Craig, addressing the Ulster Unionist Council, said that the people of Ulster were more determined than ever nut to cuter the lice titale That being so, what was the use of Lord Glenavy or

anyone else. writing /secret xortfidentitl” letters, which got into the Press. Any offer must come from the constituted Government in a form that could be laid before Parliament and people for decision. AUCKLAND, February 1. The Sanders Cup third race, resulted : —Rona 1; Linnet 2 ; Winifred 3 ; Murihiku 4 ; Eynin 5. LAUSANNE, January 31. Lord Curzon granted the Turks a delay until Sunday evening. He intimated he would remain till next week. Presenting the treaty, Lord Curzon said that by far the greater part had been examined, argued and revised with the Turkish delegation’s asistance over and over again. To a not inconsiderable portion the Turks had already assented. It was not possible for the Turkish delegation to declare that they were confronted with a surprise or menace. The Allies had unanimously concluded that more could not be expected from further meetings, accordingly there had been drawn in the form of a definitive treaty, the essential conditions-'On which honourable peace could be concluded. LONDON, January 31. Arrval at Colon, Paparoa. Departures for Auckland, Raranga. CAPETOWN, January 31. Arrival at Colon, Paparoa. Deparinnings made 137. Maiylebone, Z4B declared (Mann 79). Northern districts in the second innings lost 8 for 67. The match was drawn. DELHI, January AL. At the Colombo tea sales, the demand was strong, and prices firm. CONSTANTINOPLE. January 31. The Turkish Press are unanimous in abusing France for what they consider the unacceptable terms in the Draft Treaty at Lausanne. Charges ot perfidy mixed with threats of retaliation in Smyrna are made. The public are led to believe that Mosul is the only difficulty but are dismayed to find questions of capitulations and the Ottoman public debt figure among the conditions. The French are accused of trying to slip in the objectionable clauses on the strength of Britain’s quarrel over Mosul. The newspaper “Yenigun” reminds France than in the event of a fresh war, the last vestiges of the Ottoman public debt will disappear. Any'way the French have no business in Syria.