GENERAL ITEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16591, 14 January 1916, Page 5

GENERAL ITEMS

THE MONITIONS BILL. DISCUSSION IN HOUSE OF LORDS LONDON, January 12. . v ' In the House of Lords, the Earl o Kintore, discussing the Munitions Bill said the opportunity should be seized fo: giving the Minister discretion to fix a slan ward of profits in controlled establish ments, and to set aside war profits for ex pansion after the war of young establish ments producing essentials like spelter He moved an amendment accordingly. Lord Newton opposed the amendment saying the Bill conferred ample discre tionaTy powers on the Minister. T!he amendment was not pressed. BRITISH FINANCIAL POSITION. NECESSITY FOE ECONOMY. LONDON, January 12. The Cabinet announces that it has earnestly considered the financial position, and has decided that there is imperative need for economy. Having regard to the general advances in wages since the war and the measures taken to limit them, the people's Government concludes that any further advances in wages, other than advances following automatically from existing agreements, should be strictly confined to the adjustment of local conditions where such adjustments are proved neces'sary. THE CLAN MACF AULANE. SURVIVORS PICKED UP. MALTA, January 12. From the Clan Macfarlane, sunk on December 30, the chief officer, the chief en-

gineer, and four other officers, togeth with 18 lascars, have been picked u Thirteen lascars died in the boat. GERMAN FOOD SUPPLIES. HERR DELBRUCK'S BOAST. AMSTERDAM, January 12. Herr Delbruck, in the Reichstag, stat< that Germany's food products would.la till next harvest. The Food Suppli Committee's report states that Gerinar would not permit herself to be' starvei md would not end the war before obtaii ng a complete victory. Herr Liebknecht (Socialist) failed i ascertain information as to the tTcatmei >f inhabitants in the occupied district He finally left the Chamber as a protes THE KAISER'S ILLNESS. ANGRY WITH CHIEF OFFICERS. PARIS, January ,12. Le Petit Journal's Geneva corresponder ■eports that it is rumoured in officu ircles in Berlin that the Kaiser was in letestable humour before his illness, bein Jigrv because General Lyncker and Ac niral von Tirpitz had blundered in affirn: ng that Russia would accept the Germa iltimatum and that , the British would' nc ight. STRIKING THE BALANCE. FOREIGN-OWNED PROPERTY. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, January 12. (Received Jan. 13, at 5.5 p.m.) In the House of Commons, Mr Runci lan said it was estimated that Britisl übjects owned £72,000,000 worth of pro erty in Germany, and Germans ownei 1105,000,000 worth in Great Britain. Mr King asked whether Britain's ad ances to the allies involved a burden o 150,000,000 in interest annually. AFTER THE WAR. A MIGHTY UNITED EMPIRE. SIR E. CARSON'S VISION. LONDON, Janua-y j3 (Received Jan. 13, at 10 p.m.) Sir Edward Carson, speaking at the [institutional Club, said he would welcome national policy removing sordid party ckerings. They must recognise the yalty and achievements of the dominions, lasting peace would ensure an Empire nsolidated into a harmonious and min-htv hole. ° J AMERICAN EXCHANGE. RELIEVING THE MARKET. LONDON, January 12. (Received Jan. 13, at 7.30 p.m.) There was a great rush to the Bank of ngland to deposit American securities in dor to absist exchange. The bank was mpelled to extend its hours. DECLINE IN PRICE OF LEAD. FEARS OF HOLDERS. LONDON, January 13. (Received Jan. 13, at 7.30 p.m.) Lead to-day realised £29 5s for spot msactions and £29 for delivery in three jnths. The decline is attributed to upehension that the Government will place td under the Defence of the Realm Act d prohibit dealings without permits. is understood that the Ministry of unitions regards recent activity as being e to speculation, which at present is desirable and 1 unwarranted.