SUMMARY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7022, 10 January 1910, Page 1

SUMMARY

Speaking ut Portsmouth Lord Crewe said tho Government knew the German wuraliip-buiUling iitosnunrao was formidable, and through the Mullmer s Jirm uikl other sources became aware that Krurrp's firm hud accelerated thenwork.

It was not the duty of the Admiralty to advertise these facts, but to watch, and as necessity arose the Admiralty and the Government had to keep their eye ,011 tho danger point.

By 1912, said Lord Crewe, when Germany would have seventeen Dreadnoughts Britain would have twenty nflout.

The accelerating of GorraaJivs pro.grammo represented a formidable stato ,of things, because of Britain's heavy task in building up something Ja tho .nature of a new navy to keep her margin ahead of other countries. "We do not deny the gravity of the .situation." said Lord Orewe. Ine .Naval Estimates in 1310 and 1911 candid, and will .not, be light."

Sir Edward Grey says:—"\Ve must be •prepared to meet yearly whatever mIcreasei in the Navy Estimates are necessary to enable the fleet to be superior to any probable combination of foreigners which is likely to be brought against as."

The "Economist" states that .£182,300,0(W of new capital was raised during the year 1909. Of this total ,£-1.750,000 went to British possessions, including the following:— Canada -£26,81.1,000, Australia .£11,380,000, South Africa 0:11,291,500. Tho United Kingdom's borrowings in. 1309 amounted to only J318,681,d00, compared with J!50,0D1.700 in 1908. whereas foreign countries last vear, compared with ABJ,oOI,(W "1 1908.'

WcddeU's annual review of the meat trade estimates the total output in 1909 of the world's freezing works at oOl.dil tons.

Of this 488,720 tons went to the United Kingdom. The general improvement in trade last quarter has already caused freer consumption.

Tho review- says the better consumption demand .which may be expected, .ought to cause ■some recovery of values. The authorities at Greenwich Observatory estimate that Halley's Comet will make tho transit of five sun ou May 19th.

It will be visible in Australia and Asia, but not in Europe.

President Taft, in his message to Contrreia, recommends the creation of a Court of Commerce, to try all railroad cases arising <™t of the Inter-State Commerce Commission's orders, and analogous to the recently authorised United States Customs Court.

The Court of Commerce would be. subject to review by the Supreme Court. The President proposes that the InterState Commerce Commission shall have power to fix rates and readjust classifications of merchandise.

Mr Taft recommends extension of the scope of the Employers Liability Act to facilitate lawsuits.

While no changes are proposed in th. 3 antitrust law the President recommends the Federal incorporation, of large business enterprises.

Mrs Hnrritnan, widow of the late Mr Harriman the well-known American .railway magnate, has givem 10,000 acres ,as a publio park for New "iork, with ..£200,000 for its upkeep.

Other millionnres in the State of New York have raised a further .£BOO,OOO to ,mako the park the finest in the world. M. Latham, at Chalons, .aeroplaned to ,a height of 3200 feet, establishing a record.

Saturday was a busy daj for Lord Kitchener. He inspected the veterans, cadets antf volunteers. In the evening be was the guest of the New South Wales Government at a banquet held in Parliament House. He remarked on tho keenness of all ranks and tho desire of all to _ have jin efficient force. There was no insurmountable obstacle to the attainment of such.

He said: National force could be truly efficicmt only when the citizen soldiers, besides being inspired by the spirit of patriotic loyalty, had a thorough knowledge "»d devotion to the military profession.

The country should. sußport the defenders by showing pride in them, by insisbing upon the abolition, of ail that savours of sham and uselessness, and by assisting them to study military duties.

Ho had not the slightest doubt that if tho occasion arose New South WeJshmen would stand shoulder to shoulder with the Imperial troops. They would receive a warm welcome from the British Army.

Cecil Healy won the 100 yards swimming championship of New South Wales, beating Harold Hardwick after a great race.

The handicap sculling race decided at "Wangnmui on Saturday was won by Arrast, Hagney second and Webb last. Webb stopped rowing just as he was even with Hagney, and Arnst shot past him and was) never caught again. The New Zealand chess tournament held at Auckland was won by Mr Joh'u Mason, of Wellington; A statement of New Zealand's revenue lor the past nine months has been made by the Prime Minister. Sir Joseph Ward considers the position highly satisfactory, indication that tho Dominion is well round the :orner.

A stable in Luke's lane, Wellington, was raided bv the police yesterday and a five-gallon keg of beer seized. The Plunket Shield cricket match 'Auckland v. Canterbury was continued at Auckland on Saturday.