CABLE NEWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18237, 27 October 1919, Page 7

CABLE NEWS.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. A Melbourne message states that the Valmarie, which ran ashore on the Ninety Mile Beach on September 30 has been successfully refloated. Tho Tasmanian Budget shows a deficit of £131,742, which it is estimated will be increased to £142,606 at the end of the current year. In the House of Commons Mr W. C. Bridgman (Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade) stated in regard to the investigations into the operation of trusts that inquiries were being made into the cost and profit in all stages of handling and distributing fish. Sub-committees were investigating the position as regards cotton, tobacco and soap. - V A Washington message states that the miners rejected the compromise proposals made by Mr William B. Wilson (Secretary for Labour) for a settlement on tho coal strike. At the request of Mr Wilson the delegates representing the publio will remain at the Industrial Conference to seek a solution of the industrial problem. The employers' delegates have been excused from further attendance.

The natives at tho Fanning Island cable station presented Lord Jcllicoo with a sharlc-tootn sword-stick. Lord Jellicoe wirelessed: “ I thank the natives warmly for their kind'gift, which I shall value exceedingly.” A message from Manila states that an acute shortage has compelled the Government to place an embargo on the exportation of rice. Tho shortage is believed to be duo to hoarding by Filipino middlemen. A Washington message reports that the coal operators consented to Mr Wilson’s request to confer with a view to a settlement of tho coal dispute, but Hie miners refused.

The “New York Times” Hague correspondent says that four monarchist parties have been formed in Germany, supporting different sons of the exKaiser, . including the Crown Prince, but the strongest party hopes to establish a democratic . constitutional monarchy With the Crown Prince. Tlio party believes it will bo successful if the Right obtains a majority in the next elections for tho Reichstag, and plans to flood Germany with propaganda calling for support of the Crown Prince.

Tho “ New York Times” Washington correspondent states authoritatively that tho Prince of Wales will visit Washington for a few days during November, despite President Wilson’s illmess.

The “ Daily Chronicle’s ” Berlin correspondent states that the Berlin Government is organising a monster lottery, whereby it will create ten millionaires annually during the next eight years, in order to raise £250,000,000. Five per cent interest will be paid when the certificates are drawn for repayment. Nineteen thousand prizes will bo given annually, aggregating fifty million marks, whereof ten prizes are of a million marks each. During the eight years’ currency of the loan 9,875,000,000 marks will be distributed as prizes. The deferred payment of interest is intended to encourage thrift,' while subscriptions are repayable on demand, with interest, after twenty years, giving it the character of insurance.

A phenomenal _ storm, accompanied by «■ deluge of hail, flooded many parts of Sydney. Much damage was clono to property and crops, and telephones and telegraphs were disorganised. In places tho hail formed blocks of ice two feet thick in the streets

It is understood that the British .system, whereby tho Board of Trade issues permits for loans, is not working smoothly where it deals with colonial loans. There was a death-roll of 31 in connection with the recent mine disaster. King Alfonso has arrived in London. General Diaz was given an enthusiastic reception in London. A Warsaw message states that typhus is raging in East Galicia, where there are 5000 victims daily. The Chief Justice at London on Saturday agreed that tho case Merton r. Hughes might again he mentioned in January. Both sides desire to put Mr Hughes in the witness box.