THE MOTHER COUNTRY

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16743, 26 December 1914, Page 9

THE MOTHER COUNTRY

, STOCK EXCHANGE TO REOPEN. . * RESTRICTIONS ON TRADING. ':. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright, j LONDON, December 23. The Stock Exchange will open on January 4. The Treasury has ordered '■ that tho minimum prices fixed during ■ the closure shall be enforced until tho! end of January, but subject to revision by the committee with the Treasury's approval. Tho committee is also empowered to fix tho minima for shares dealt with . in tho American market, these being generally at tho prices ruling . on • January 30. All bargains must bo in cash, and no dealings are allowed on new issues made after January 4, unless with the Treasury's approval. Members are riot allowed to bid openly for or deal in securities which have been in tho enemy's possession since the outbreak of war. All securities must be supported by a declaration that they have remained in the possession of the United Kingdom since September 30. Only Britishborn members and clerks will be admitted, or naturalised subjects who can prove they have been naturalised in the country of origin. (Received December 25, 10.20 a.m.) LONDON, December 24. The newspapers consider the Stock Exchange regulations very stringent, but they will have the effect of safeguarding the London market against! forced realisations and absolutely close ( the-market to the enemy. The "Financial Times" says that the bulk of naturalised members and clerks have not been denationalised, therefore are barred from re-entry. Ao-.' cording to one estimate seven hundred are affected. INFERIOR AUSTRALIAN MEAT. LONDON, December 23. The War Office rejected 933 cases of New South Wales canned beef, purchased through an American firm. It was found to be* of a most inferior quality, containing thin flank scrap, meat, cuttings of cartilage, gland and skirt. Sir T. A. Coghlan's independent examiners confirmed the War Office description. CROWDS CHEER THE KING. LONDON, December 23. The King and Queen aro spending Christmas at Sandringham. Crowds in London cheered their de-' parture. , AEROPLANE FOR AUSTRALIA. LONDON, December 28. Lord Desboroughs, of the Imperial Air Fleet Committee,- has handed over the Australian aeroplane. Major Foote, who attended the triais at Flamborough, accepted it on behalf of the Commonwealth. Lady Reid named the aeroplane Liverpool, in accordance with the wish of the donor, William E. Crane, 9 Liverpool merchant. VOj : ,?0R THE ARMY. rViNDON, December 23. The High ''.'oiumissioner's oScohaa approached the War Office recalling tho fact that there were boot factories in Australia ablo to supply the Army. Tho War Office promised that the matter would not be overlooked. TRADE WITH THE ENEMY. LONDON, December 23.' There is a movement among under* writers to refrain from accepting 1 insurances on goods from neutrals to neutrals neighbouring on Germany. A large proportion of the .trade of neutral countries is financed by Britain, the transactions being based on bills backed by insurance policies. The proposal is expected to check any private individual acting as an intermediary for the enemy. • . . ... NOTES FROM LONDON. GERMANS SEND PRIEST TO GAOL. LONDON, December 23. Abbe Beyart, an aged retired priest at Bruges, has been sentenced to threo years' imprisonment in Germany for writing to a London paper. A CHANGE OF VIEW. NEW YORK, December 23. The Rev Dr Heilis, of Brooklyn, New York, hitherto regarded as Germany's freatest intellectual asset*in the United tates, has recanted his former views. He denounced Germany from the pulpit as a world menace, a a bandit and a murderer. The Teuton congregation rose en masse and demanded Dr Hellis's resignation. RELIEF FOR BELGIANS. GIFT FROM AUSTRALASIA. LONDON. December 24. The Belgian Relief Committee has expressed gratitude for the magnificent gift of £60,000 sent through Sir T. A. oghlan from New South Wales, Queensland and New Zealand. Four million Belgians are receiving food through the Relief Committee. CANADA'S WAR EXPENSES. £50,000 DAILY. LONDON/ December 24. A message from Ottawa, 6tates that Canada's war expenses are computed at £50,000 daily. A new war loan of twenty millions is foreshadowed. Tho Minister of Finance is preparing taxation to touch all pockets more effectively than the liquor and tobacco tar imposed last session. THE EMBARGO ON RUBBER. CONCERN IN AMERICA. LONDON, December 24. , Tho Rubber Club of America an-: nouncos a grave situation owing to the' British embargo on the exportation of crude rubber from Britain. The statement anticipates that 125,000 persons will be rendered idle in the United States unless tho embargo is lifted. An adyanee in price is expected. Europe alreadv has bought war supplies to the value of one hundred million in the United States. TRANSFER OF SHIPS PROHIBITED LONDON, December 24. ; ( The Government has prohibited the transfer of ships to foreign owners Without license from the Customs: whether within cur without the United Kingdom* ' _ - BERLIN BANK BiATB. LONDON, I>eceniber 24. " A message from Rotterdam states! tliat the bank rate at Berlin is 5 por v cent. THE MARRIAGE RATE. ".Tiraei " and Sydney " Svm" Ser*ic«i. i, LONDON, December 24. The marriage rate in Britain has in-. Ottmted, 60 per cent since the war* )

V AN BXEMY'S PLOT. • LONDON, December 23. | Four Germans arrested in New Orleans for preparing a bomb timed I to explode ab sea aboard a British or French merchantman, have confessed, i A New York message states that I the New Orleans plotters »11 are German reservists, 'angry at being unable to return to Europe to fight. Halle admitted that he expected Germany to reward him handsomely. The infernal machine consisted of two boxes, orio fitted with clockwork and each containing fifty. 1 pounds of dynamite. It was expectea that the explosion of onp would ©xplbdo, the other. Halle approached the British Embassy, pretending that lie had a new composition for bombarding, hoping to obtain permission to Snd the cases to England aboard a Brit- \ ship. The Embassy gave him the cold, shoulder and Halle turned his attention to France. The plot failed through Halle taking a room with a detective as a. fellow-lodger and the police drag net closed round the conspirators. i FOOTBALL FIXTURES ABANDONED. The Scottish Association has abandoned the international matches and ties. "DERTAG." LONDON. December 23. A- new play, " Der Tag," at the Co- i leseum, portrays the Kaiser's troubled ] dreams and visions of the horrors of the war into which he has plunged the world, showing the Russians at the fates of Berlin, his best men dead, God is ally, having deserted him, and the Spirit of Culture rebuking him with the words, " England had grown degenerate y you have made her great again," hands the Kaiser a dagger as the only means to escape the meshes of the net entangling him. Seven thousand attended the performances, including Lord Reading (Lord' Chief Justice), Sir J. A. Simon (Aitorney-General) and JMbr Lloyd George. CHRISTMAS MAIL FOR TROOPS. LONDON, December 23. This week's mail at the front contained an abundance of necessities and clothing, and streams of Christmas luxuries. The postal arrangements were splendid. KING OF GERMAN BELGIUM. LONDON, December 23. It is asserted in Paris that the Kaieer. proposes to make Prince Windifiboratz King of Belgium. SPANISH NEUTRALITY. LONDON, Dceember 23. A Seville message says that the Republicans are declaring their friendship for the Allies, and are favouring maintaining neutrality. tESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WAR. LONDON, December 23. The German Press, replying to a Trench Yellow Book, again attempts to place the responsibility of the war \n Russia, and answers the French statements with a blank denial. " THE YEAR OF GERMANY'S SHAME." LONDON, December 23. The Russian and French Governments •ropose later to place on historical iuilaings wrecked by Germans the following inscription: "Restored in the If year of Germany's shame." V LARKIN'S BANNER. i LONDON, December 23. ! A sanitary inspector at Liverpool discovered a complete wireless plant on the chimney of a suburban villa. The police removed from the flagpole at James Larkin's headquarters, Dublin, a banner with the words, * "We serve neither King nor Kaiser, but Ireland."