THE BIRKBECK BANK.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 99, 16 June 1911, Page 5

THE BIRKBECK BANK.

CAUSE OF FAILURE. MR LLOYD-GEORGE SPEAKS. (Received Id, 9115 a.in.) London, Juno 15. Me Lloyd-George, in the House of Commons, said me Board of Trade n;;d informed Him that the Birkbock Bank failure was duo to the depreciation of the values of securities held. Ine newspaper statement that the failure was in any way attributable to tnc Liberal Government’s finance policy was both mendacious and mean. (.Received IG, 11.10 a.m.) London, June 15. Mr. Lloyd-George quoted the Birkbeck Bank’s accountant’s statements, showing that the greatest full in investments occurred at the time of the Boer War, when the reserve was iinplo to cover every hit of scrip. The leprcciation was due more to the extension of trustee investments to colmials. Mr. Lloyd-Georgo concluded by stating that the Birkheck holdings show a greater depreciation.ffoai the eve of the Boer War to the end of the Unionist Government’s reign than since 1909. Tho allegation that the failure was duo to something occurring since 1909 was an unqualified falsehood. TEMPERANCE CONFERENCE. (Received 10, -9.45 a.m.) London, June 15. The Imperial Temperance Conference lias opened, those, present including delegates from Victoria, South Australia and New Zealand. Mr Kirkoatrick gave interesting details of the, growth of temperance among Australian Labour members the majority of whom were teetotallers. The conference discussed Dr Chapped’s paper on tho effect of total abstinence on mental efficiency. A MISSIONARY PIONEER. Lndon, Juno 15. A committee has been formed at Parsley, Yorkshire, to collect funds for a memorial hall in connection with the centenary of the Rev. Samuel Marsdon’s bringing New Zealand wool to England. - FEDERAL LAND TAX. London, Juno 15. “Tho Times” says the members of tl/c Chamber of Commerce were' disappointed at Mr. Fisher’s attitude on cue land tax. Despite the expressions of almost every speaker concerning tho friendly spirit entertained towards Australia, Mr. Fisher interpreted their observations as unfriendly, and suggesting that relations between the Commonwealth and Britain were strained.