BRITISH AFFAIRS

Southland Times, Issue 18984, 19 November 1920, Page 5

BRITISH AFFAIRS

UNEMPLOYED EX-SOLDIERS. LORD HAIG’S APPEAL TO FARMERS. IBy Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, November 17. Lord Haig made a feeling speech before the Council of the Farmers’ Union on behalf of ex-service men. He said that the men were induced to enlist by means of promises that they would be looked after when the war was over. At the same time money was raised and dividends paid thereon. What would be said if the loans were repudiated or dividends withheld? He could not see the difference between that and the treatment accorded the men who fought. Apparently it was no longer true"" that Britain’s word was her bond. The directors said they were not justified in donating the shareholders’ money to his fund. They did not understand that they existed only through the effort of ex-service men. It would be a blot on the nation’s honour if these fine men were condemned to remain in the unskilled ranks. The Government, the employers, and the unions ought to make a combined effort. The Officers’ Association was spending £9OOO a month more than it received. NAVAL WAR MEMORIALS. GRAVES COMMISSION’S SUGGESTION APPROVED. LONDON, November 17. (Received November 18, S p.m.) Sir G. Kinlock Cooke, in the House of Commons, stated that the Admiralty had approved of the War Graves Commission’s suggestion that naval memorials be erected at three ports, including Portsmouth and Devonport, EVILS OF OVER-TAXATION, SPEECH BY MR McKENNA. LONDON, November 18. (Received November 18, 10.20 p.m.) Mr McKenna, speaking at Manchester University, emphasised the evils of excessive taxation, which impounded the savings and deprived commerce and industry of the essential condition of growth. Moreover, in order to meet the dem golds of the next collection, traders were forced to borrow. There had been instances of purchasing power without a corresponding increase in commodities, hence there was a great increase in the velocity of expenditure, which was the cause of the curious phenomenon noticeable since the armistice whereby increased production had been accompanied by rapidly rising prices. UNIVERSITIES OF THE EMPIRE. CONGRESS IN JULY. LONDON, November 17. The Second Congress of Universities of the Empire will bo held in July, 1921. Oxford University has invited all members of the Congress to be its guests from July 5 to July 8. FREE PASSAGES FOR EX-SERVICE MEN. THE SCHEME EXTENDED. LONDON, November 17. The free passage scheme for overseas exservice men and women has been extended till the end of 1921. QUEENSLAND TRAMWAYS COMPANY. NOTICE TO BRITISH STOCKHOLDERS. LONDON, November 17. The Queensland Electric Tramways Company has circularised debenture stockholders to the effect that as the Queensland Government has not yet exercised its rights of purchase, the company is compelled to ask stockholders to postpone the reduction of debentures for three years, receiving meantime 8 per cent, interest, with a premium of 2 per cent, if the stock is redeemed within three years.