MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 December 1917, Page 3

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.

! „ r ! WAR NEWS DELAYED. I fAUSTRALIAN & N. 7.. CABLE ASSOCIATION] ! SYDNEY December 19. 1 A paucity of war news is apparent and the cables evidently are delayed. CONVOY LOSSES. i (Reuter’s Telegram.) (Received This Day at 9.15 a.m.) i LONDON, Dec. 18tli. Tn the Commons, Sir Chiozza Money said the general result of the convoy system was a great, diminution of the losses. Only two per cent, of the homeward cargoes were lost in November. ' HALIFAX DISASTER. (Received This Day at 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, Dee. IS. Tu the Commons Sir Chiozza Money j stated that five British steamers were damaged in the Halifax disaster and about, two-thirds of the crews killed. A DUTCH PROTEST. (Received this day at 12.80 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, Dee. 18. Government have further protested |o Germany, concerning the obstacles to navigation to England. STEAMER TOR HEDGED. (Received this day at 1.20 a.m.,) COPENHAGEN, Dec. 18. The Norwegian steamer Maidaig was torpedoed, three of the crew being lost. LOST CONVOY’S CREWS. AMSTERDAM, Dee. 18. 115 seamen from the sunken convoy have arrived at a Norwegian harbour.

SUBMAR INE COLLISION. (Received This Day at 1.20 a.m.) * NEW YORK, Doe. IS. United States’ submarines collided in home waters, one being sunk and 19 of the crew perished. OUTPUT OF BRITISH AEROPLANES (Received This Day at 1.20 a.m.) VANCOUVER, Dee. 18. Lord Montague states Britain is now producing aeroplanes carrying as many bombs as Zeppelins. Machines capable of 100 miles an hour arc now available. A WAR SETTLEMENT. (Renter’s Telegram.)

(Received this day at 1.20 a.m.,) LONDON - Cc '- 18 -. In the House of Commons, Mr David Davies suggested that Britain should propose an Allies treaty for the total exclusion of all commerce, übipping and trade with the Central Powers, until they had abandoned the occupied territories, made complete reparation for their crimes and accepted the Allies proposals for the self-determination of the nationalities, International .arbitration, and the limitation of armaments after the war. Lord Cecil replied that the suggestion would be carefully considered.

THE FOOD MINISTRY.'' LORD R.HONNDVS PROPOSALS.' ißeceived This Dnv nt 11.25. a.m.) LONDON. Dee. 19. Lord Rhonnda in a speech at Islington, said every food queue centre was a possible mischief and must and will be. stopped. ’Hie Ministry will support local food

•committees initiating schemes for the more equitable distribution. Tne Controller will consider a scheme compelling customers to register at one shop for butter or margarine. Compulsory rationing will probaly he necessary, hut there is no fear of starvation. The prices of potatoes, moat bread, margarine and cheese were roduo. ed in the last half year. The cost d living has fallen ten po rcent. The Ministry’s measures precluded the possibility of profiteering, whereto the increased prices were only slightly due. Committees could prosecute and drive out profiteers from business. He believed the country was willing for the most drastic regulations so long as the sacrifices were equal.

THE POPE’S DENIAL. (Received T«d s Twv at Pi. 25. a.m.) ROME December 19. It is officially denied that the Pope intends to issue a Christmas.peace message. He opposes a separate peace believing that such will 1 prolong instead of ■shorten the war. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. fP^r.r>:,-<vi Tide Dnv at 11.25. a..m.) BUENOS AYRES, December 19. The Government urgently extended Britain a credit of fifty millions dollars. . \ LABOUR’S LATEST MOVE. . A WIDE VIEW POINT. ) (Received This Daw at 12.25. p.nO LONDON December 29. Mr. Arthur Henderson in an article in the “Manchester Guardian” says under the new constitution the Labour | Party will ibe foundeej on national trade I'jnions, socialist societies and local labour organisations of industrial democracy rather than state organisation of industry.

The ultimate aim it had in view was internationalism, which was a cardinal doctrine f, f labour. The movement would not suffer its internationalism to negate the ideal of Empire, and that would become an alliance of free peoples under a democratic Government. That would he the first step to .make Britain a democratic state. ' ENTERTAINED. (Received this day at 1.99 p.m A LONDON December 19. The Lord Mayor entertained, the Oversea high Commissioners and Agents general at luncheon at the Mansion house. IN THE COMMONS.

LONDON December 19. The Commons negatived several amendments intended to defeat the pm* pose of the Non-ferrous metals Bill.