NEWS BY CABLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3315, 26 September 1917, Page 36

NEWS BY CABLE.

INCREASE IN FREIGHT RATES. Notice will likely be given immediately of an increaso of ' considerably more than one-third in the outward freight to Australia and New Zealand, and an increase of one-third to South Africa, The homo freights aro usually higher than those outward, especially during the war. The 'readjustment means that consumers abroad will share in the additional costs of shipping. The profits have not increased owing to Government requisition. Cargo steamers' freight to Auckland, "Wellington, and Port Chalmers has been raised to 200 s.

THE PRICE OF SILVER. Silver has reached its highest point since 1878, and there are no signs of weakness. China is paying large premiums in San Francisco, while America is buying for her subsidiary coinago in a hardening market. THE PRICE OF WHISKY. Owing to the stoppage of distillation and the restriction of the clearances of spirits from bond, whisky is realising extraordinary prices. Well-known brands fetched £7 per dozen at auction, as compared with £2 2s beforo the war. Some Irish bulk whisky 6dcg under proof realised £5 18s per gallon. THE QUEBEC BRIDGE. The central span of the new Quebec bridge has been placed in position, after tho greatest engineering feat of the kind, involving a three days' lift of the span from pontoons. The work was carried out without a hitch. The bridge was the scone of disasters in 1907 and 1916. [The original design for this bridge provided for a length of 3240 ft and a width of 80ft, giving sufficient space for railway tracks, two tramways, two roadways, and two side-walks. The chief. feature is the great central span of 1800 ft. There are also two approach spans of 210 ft each, and two shore arms of 500 ft each. On August 29, 1907, part of the structure on the southern side, where the work had mainly proceeded, suddenly collapsed, carrying a number of men with it, and about 800 ft of the southern cantilever was wrecked. On September 11, 1916, tho central span of the bridge collapsed during erection, and only eight lives wore lost, though there were 90 men on the span when it fell from a height of 200 ft to the bottom of the river. The bridge is intended to shorten the route between Montreal and Eastern Canada. ADVERTISING OUR PRODUCE. The Queensland Agent-general has distributed 26,000 tons of Australian, New Zeaand Canadian cheese among 150,000 retailers, showing the state of origin. This proved a splendid advertisement, and it is believed that owing to its success the Food Controller contemplates dealing similarly with other dairy produce. GENERAL ITEMS. The Press Bureau reports that nine persons were killed through an explosion in an explosives factory in Ireland. The committee which has been inquiring into the matter unanimously decided to prosecute the English Channel tunnel. A meeting of English retail butchers discussed the serious position in regard to the meat supply, and resolved that it was necessary to take immediate steps to conserve and increase the supply. The barque Dee, 119 tons, which left Mauritius on February 18 for Banbury (West Australia), has been posted as missing. The fruit traders have been informed that nothing can bo done at present to remove the import restrictions on apples. Some mine strikers at Saji Pedro De La Cuiva (Portugal) attacked with bombs the Republican Guards, and the latter replied with volleys. Great unrest prevails. The strikers threaten further outrages. death is announced of Rear-admiral Leicester Chantrey Keppel, on the retired list. Tho deceased Admiral was a midshipman in 1854. He saw service in the Crimea. He afterwards was engaged in suppressing the slave trade and rising off the East African coast and in Chinese waters, and received thanks, promotion and mention in despatches. Ho was a great favourite of the lato Queen Victoria and King Edward. The Spanish Government has decided to form 42 fresh artillery regiments. It is also considering the mobilisation of industry on military lines. Scnor Date, tho Premier, asserts that this :s merely part of tho general military reorganisation. The chairman of the South _ African Nationalist party executive has issued a warning to "members of the party not to partake in movements of a rebellious nature alleged now to be in progress. He adds: "What the Afrikander people cannot get constitutionally they certainly will not get by force." Sir Robert Borden has promised women a suffrage throughout Canada, if he is elected, on tho basis of the inclusion of all Briti.shborn women, the foreign-born women to bo accorded the. right to secure naturalisation on their own behalf after a suitable residential qualification. In the case of marriage with aliens, women will be_ accorded the right to choose, which nationality of tho two they will adopt. , A remarkable libel action has just terminated, arising out of the late rebellion. General Botha sued Wolmarans, the Nationalist Senator, for £SOOO damages for saying that Botha was steeped to the hp 3 in the blood of his countrymen. Defendant counter-claimed the same amount for statements reflecting on his conduct during tho Ancrlo-Boer war. Both parties withdrew imputations, Wolmarans pay costs. AUSTRALIAN NEWS. INDUSTRIAL LAWS. Tho annual conference of the inter-Stato Employers' Federation, resolved that faralterations are necessary in the industrial laws. The conference favoured tho appointment of a non-political Royal Commission empowered to fix the basis of scales of wages in various districts throughout Australia. j The conference also adopted a resolution

against the Government Investing frublw Dioney in industrial enterprises, and against further loan expenditure during the war, except for war purposes? or for the comple tion of urgent public works. FOOD MOT. Led by half a dozen girls, a mob of men and women marched through the streets of Melbourne smashing shop windows on their way to tho Federal House of Parliament to protest against the Government s failure to prohibit the export of foodstuffs. When the House wa3 reached it was found to be strongly guarded by mounted and foot police, who repeatedly charged the mob. A few rioters forced an entry, but were beaten back by the police ooncealed in the vaults. Tho damago to shop windows is estimated at £SOOO. Several arrests were made. THE LOSS OF THE CUMBERLAND. Tho inquiry at Sydney into the loss of the steamer Cumberland has aroused considerable interest owing to tho huge insurance. It ie stated that £1,000,000 is involved. The vessel and cargo were insured on a, war risk under the Imperial scheme and also an ordinary risk through the Austra lian offices. / _ According to expert evidence, tho Cumberland struck a mine. It is opined that from tho way the plates were blown inwards it was impossible for tho explosion to havo been internal. The Navy Department, however, is not satisfied, and has requested further evidence. It favours holding a Marine Lourt inquiry. . , , The Sun newspaoer says that with tho loss of tho Cumberland and the Port Kembla evidence has accumulated that Germanv, with her secret agents, is carrying out" plots for the destruction of ships in this and other parts of the globe. The directors of the Sun therefore offer £IOOO as a reward for the detection of such a conspiracy in the Commonwealth, and the conviction of the chief criminals. NEW SOUTH WALES BUDGET. The Budget Statement of the Now South Wales State Treasurer disclosed record figures. The receipts increased by £641,218, and the expenditure by £518,325, over that for last year. The deficit is £315,850. Tho estimated revenue for the coming year is £5,515,821, and the expenditure £5,508,778 The inoreased taxation is expected to yield a further £289,149.