BRITISH AFFAIRS

Southland Times, Issue 19481, 3 April 1922, Page 5

BRITISH AFFAIRS

PUBLIC FINANCE SLUMP IN REVENUE toy Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, April 1. (Recseived April 2, 5.5 p.m.) Following are the details of the finances of the United Kingdom for the year ended March 31: REVENUE 1920-21 1921-22

SNOW IN ENGLAND. FOOTBALL AND RACES CANCELLED. RAILWAYS AND SHIPPING AFFECTED. LONDON, April 2. (Received April 2, 11.5 p.m.) The heaviest snowfall for many years occurred in Wales and the North-east and West of England. On the south coast the Welsh railways were blocked. Football matches were abandoned. Newbury races were cancelled owing to six inches of snow on the ground, which is unparalled since 1908. A hurricane in the Channel blew several small craft ashore. ROYAL VISIT TO BELGIUM. BATTLEFIELD CEMETERIES TO BE VISITED. LONDON, April 1. (Received April 2, 5.5 p.m.) The King and Queen will visit the Belgian Royalties on May 8. Thereafter they will inspect the principal British and Overseas cemeteries in Belgium and France. THE KING’S HORSE. DOUBLE WIN WITNESSED BY THEIR MAJESTIES. LONDON, March 31. (Received April 1, 5.5 p.m.) The King and Queen witnessed the double win of Weathervane at Newbury. Weathervane is entered for the Two Thousand Guineas, Derby, and St. Leger. IMPERIAL AIR SERVICE AN ELABORATE SCHEME LONDON, April L (Received April 2, 5.5 p.m.) Commander Burney, R.N., of Vickers Company, who is largely responsible for the proposed Imperial airship scheme, states that the company proposes to build six new airships at a lower cost than ever before. They will contain restaurant and sleeping cabins, smoking and bathrooms, and will be capable of carrying a hundred passengers below first class steamer fares in ad dition to ten tons of mails and goods. Mr Ashbolt, interviewed, said: ‘Though my scheme did not succeed it prevented the destruction of Government airships six months ago. The position is now wonderfully improved and money is available for the new project which I believe Australia will consider favourably.” CIVIL AVIATION. CONTROLLER-GENERAL RESIGNS. LONDON, April 1. (Received April 2, 5.5 p.m.) Major-General Sykes has resigned the Con-troller-Generalship of civil aviation owing to the small scale to which civil aviation has been reduced. SHIP’S CAPTAIN IN COURT. CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING MEMBER OF HIS CREW. LONDON, April 1. (Received April 2, 5.5 p.m.) Captain Avern, master of the “Moreton Bay,” was charged at Bow Street Police Court with assaulting Burns, a member of the replaced British crew. Burns alleged that Avern called him to his cabin and accused him of causing trouble and then assaulted him. Burns said that he was later imprisoned but escaped. He alleged that Avern, armed with a revolver and accompanied by officers, violently rearrested him, bound him with ropes and confined him in the hold under hospital isolation. Avern stated that the passengers complained of the British crew's conduct. Burns adopted a threatening attitude, and he struck Burns because the latter threatened to strike him. Burns had to be roped when rearrested because he kicked and bit. He acted throughout in the interests of the passengers and the maintenance of discipline. The Magistrate said the whole question was whether overmuch violence was used in rearresting Burns. There were some reasons for regarding the latter as dangerous. The case was dismissed. THE LOST FINANCIER. DISCOVERED IN ATHENS. LONDON, April 1. (Received April 2, 5.5 p.m.) The Daily Express, Brindisi correspondent states it is rumoured that Bevan has been discovered at Athens where the extradition law is not applicable, but the Grack Government may deport him. DANGEROUS RACING. SUGGESTED ALTERATIONS IN GRAND NATIONAL. LONDON, April 1. (Received April 2, 5.5 p.m.) The yearly outburst of indignation, following the Grand National in consequence of fatal accidents due to ugly obstacles in the race is becoming more intense. Two horses were killed in the recent National. The newspapers have since been inundated with correspondence, some of the writers asserting that Spanish bull fighting is less cruel than the National in which thorough-pred horses are dead and dying while other competitors are jumping over their bodies. Public indignation is so hot that Whitaker, the well-known owner-trainer and rider, whoso mount Arravale fell when he had a winning chance, wrote to the authorities suggesting alterations in the conditions ox the race, providing that only first-class jumpers be allowed to compete and that the remainder Fj grouped in a Junior National, thus ensuring reasonably sired fialda. Mr Shortt, replying to tlr question in the FjCUsc of Commons, irtated he had not

power to prohibit the Grand National. If i a horse is entered for a race for which it is unfitted it is a breach of the Protection to Animals Act. He has no such evidence that such was the case. MILITARY MEAT CONTRACTS ARGENTINE’S ADVANTAGE LONDON, March 30. Interviewed, Mr Jowett expressed surprise that Imperial Government contracts for the supply of the army and navy with Argentine frozen meat were still in existence, as well as the Board of Trade arrangement that certain Argentine meat works be run on the Board’s account, thus shutting out Australian beef from army and navy contracts. Army contracts with the Argentine cease on June 30. After that the army will be prepared to take Australian meat. The Board of Trade’s arrangement for the navy expires on December 31, but something may be done to secure earlier cancellation, and Mr Jowett suggested the advisability of the army and navy authorities uniting in asking tenders from Australian importers and meat works. BOOKMAKER’S PROTEST LORDS JUDGMENT LEADS TO HEAVY CLAIMS. LONDON, April 1. (Received April 2, 5.5 p.m.) A meeting of bookmakers and sportsmen passed a resolution demanding an amendment to the Gaming Act of 1835 under which paid bpts are recoverable. According to the of Lords judgment, cabled on October 25, 1921, the chairman stated that claims against bookmakers for refund of cheques totalled £2,500,000.

(In thousands.) £ £ Corporation Profits Tax 650 17,516 Excess Profits Tax 219,181 19,412 Income Tax 394,166 398,887 Estate Duties etc 47,729 52,191 Postal Service 36,100 40,000 Motor Vehicles Tax 7,073 11,166 Stamps 26,591 19,638 Excise 199,782 194,291 War Stores — 117,133 Other sources 492,713 154,745 — Totals £1,425,935 1,124,879 (Thousands). — — Expenditure £1,184,102 1,079,186 Unfunded debt £1,384,741 1,029,520