SYDNEY SUN CABLES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIV, Issue 14026, 7 April 1920, Page 6

SYDNEY SUN CABLES.

ALLIANCES AGAINST GERMANY. .. LONDON, March 19. The correspondent ot the • Times at Paris states that the. stories from Brussels', that the .British had guarani^dVxijiVtalvisupfett^to.? BJflgiunt..' for five''years* in-case; of r attack by Germany", and also that France and Belgium had signed an unconditional alli-i----auce for an indefinite term, are untrue. Arrangements have been considered, but nothing definite has been decided I upon.

CONGESTION IN THE THAMES. LONDON, March 17. A correspondent, picturing the results of the 'extraordinary congestion in the Thames, says that the docks aljound with stories that mice are nesting in carcases of imported lamb, and that there are rats a foot long; which have grown double coats of fur, in order to adapt themselves to the low storage temperatures. Mr Larkin, the general manager of the Commonwealth Line, commenting on the report that the line does not iintieiid' to assist in wheat-carrying, points out that 60,000 tons were carried during the past five months, but admits that; the ships will presently i be concentrating on wool, in- accordance with the Imperial Controller's wishes.

Mr Larkin claims that the Commonwealth "Line recently prevented a substantial increase in freights from Australia.

FIERY DEBATE. CAPETOWN, March 19. An amazing incident- occurred in Parliament this afternoon. Mr George Brown, the new Labor tor Germiston. during a debate on the estimates. burst into flames. He' rushed from the Chamber <ll- - in smoke, followed by. half a dozen members of all parties, who went to the rescue. A Labor colleague smothered the flames, but Brown's hands were scorched, and his coat and some papers were destroyed. The origin of the fire is uncertain, but the- coat- had been cleaned with petrol, and there was a full box of matches in one of the pockets.

PARISIAN FASHIONS. LONDON, March 20. The correspondent of the Times ai Paris states that the Finance Minister if- horrified by the general feminine extravagance. He .secured an invitation to a fashionable reception which was attended by expensively overdressed and underdressed Parisiennes. . . He delivered a fiery upbraiding speech, pointing out. that every yard •of material, saved meant an increase of profitable production. Some of the startled ladies went away, and were persuaded to Invest in French loans. Others bought new dresses, the need of which had not previously been realised.