LATE MESSAGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 July 1941, Page 4

LATE MESSAGES

LONDON, July # ls. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Syria correspondent says: The changed atmosphere resulting from the Acre agreement was noticeable in Haifa last night. The general feeling is one of relief that the distasteful situation has ended.- This sentiment pervaded the entry of the Allied troops into Beirut. It was not the entry of a victorious army, but of representatives of a nation resuming former friendly relations. German threats heavily to air-raid Haifa, also a warning to the Arabs to leave the town, were entirely disregarded by the residents. “The Times” says: The Syrian campaign restores the military and political situation existing in the East Mediterranean before The capitulation of France. The effect on Turkish policy should be important. At Berlin, it is officially -stated that the end of the Syrian campaign does not prove that France is unable to defend her colonies. WASHINGTON, July 15. ■ The State Department has occasionaly received reports purported to be German offers, but there was never anything official in their character, said Mr Welles, to the Press, regarding Mr La Guardia’s warning as to peace manoeuvres. Mr S. Early told the Press that no official peace feelers from Hitler have reached the Government. WELLINGTON, July 16. A special Gazette issued to-day contains an Order-in-Council reducing the maximum rates of interest that may be paid as from to-morrow on deposits with building and investment societies, trading companies, stock and station agents, and local authorities. Mr. Nash announced that the new interest rates for deposits with trading companies and stock and station agents will be'as follow: At call, 1£ per cent. Three to six months, 1“ per cent. Six to 12 months, 2 per cent. .Twelve to 24 months, 2£ per cent. Twenty-four to 36 months, 3 per cent. Three years and over, 3| per cent. The corresponding rates for building and investments societies will be one, one and a-quarter, one and a-half, two, two and a-half, three. The new rates for deposits with local authorities will be: At call, 1 per cent. Three to six months, 1| per cent. Six' months or over, 1-j per cent. * The Gazette also contains a notice reducing the rate of interest oh deposits in the Post Office Savings Banks in excess of £5OO from 2| per cent, to 2 per cent. The rates for deposits up to £5OO remains at 3 per cent. This rate is also continued for deposits in Trustee Savings Banks.