CABLEGRAMS AND WIRELESS

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 December 1934, Page 7

CABLEGRAMS AND WIRELESS

YEAR’S BOOKS. (Press Assn. —Copyright.) LONDON, December 28. _ A record number of books was published in Britain during 1934. The total was 15,628. Fiction showed the greatest increase. The publication of works of travel, naval and military history, business and technology increased. Books on sociology, literature, geography, music and religion declined. ZINC SUPPLIES RUGBY, December 28. At the request of Mr. Runciman, the Import Duties Advisory Committee has undertaken to examine and report on the subject of supplies and prices of lead and zinc to the United Kingdom consumers, and the relative provisions of the Ottawa agreements, and supplies of these metals from sources outside the British Empire at the present rate pel' cent, ad valorum duty which the British Government may remove if Empire producers fail to supply adequate quantities at prices not exceeding world prices. CLYDE SHIPYARDS RUGBY, December 28. Shipyards on the Clyde maintained their leading position in the shipbuild, ing world during 1934, by the construction of 67 vessels totalling 268,121 tons, "which represents about 25 per cent, of the world output and over half the total production in the United Kingdom. The prospects for next year are considered fairly satisfactory, but the output is still only about one-third of the record production attained in 1913. CHILLED MEAT. LONDON, December 28. An article in the “Shipbuilding and Shipping Record” states that the new chilled meat trade from Australia and New Zealand has reached a stage where frequent shipments are arriving in condition so satisfactory that the wholesale value is little below the best Argentine beef. The difference is due to a great extent to the quality of cattle at present bred in Australia, but judging from the large amount of prize stock Australia has imported in the past year, the time is not distant when top prices will be realised. RADIO ADVERTISING.

LONDON, December 28. “The Times’s” Paris correspondent states the Government has banned radio advertising in all Governmentcontrolled stations from December 31. POLICE CHIEF SHOT. LUCKNOW, December 28. A servant shot dead Andrew Crawford, superintendent of Mirzapur police, who was asleep in a camp sixty-five miles from headquarters. CHEAPER TELEPHONES. RUGBY, December 28. Widespread use was made during the Christmas holidays of the recently instituted system of cheap long-dis-tance calls, whereby no charge exceeding a shilling is made for any call in Britain during special hours. Since the concession was introduced three months ago, a million such calls have been made, representing a revenue of £5,000. A scheme to reduce the price of inland telegrams is now being considered, the suggestion being that twelve words shall be sent for 9d, instead of 1/- as at. present. BRITISH UNEMPLOYED. RUGBY, December 28. Provision next year for more camps for unemployed, from distressed areas in the United Kingdom, is understood to be receiving serious consideration. It is hoped to double this year’s number of fifteen hutment semi-per-manent camps, and twelve supplementary tended summer camps. Additional camp sites are being provided as before, by the Forestry Commission in woodland areas. The object, of the scheme, which has proved most successful, is to provide relays of unemployed men with twelve weeks’ open air work in healthy conditions, including good food and free supply of necessary clothing. The annual capacity of each Government hutment camp is four relays of two hundred men, and the supplementary tented camps receive two relays of between one hundred and two hundred men in summer months. The camps are in

charge of a small staff, provided by the Ministry of Labour. BULGARIA’S DEBTS. RUGBY, December 28. Following the recent London conversations between representatives of the Bulgarian Government and various bondholders’ organisations, the latter have issued a joint statement, saying that Bulgaria is willing to transfer a minimum of 15 per cent, in foreign exchange for payments of interest already due, but not paid, on her external debt. If the League Committee which is now inquiring into the exchange position of Bulgaria, assessed Bulgaria’s capacity to transfer on her debts at a rate higher or lower than 15 per cent, the amounts due for transfer after November 1, 1934, will count towards whatever the new percentage of transfer is agreed with the bondholders. The League Commitee meets on January 7, and its report, which is expected to be available in the second half of the month, will form the basis for a fresh discussion with Bulgaria.