GENERAL CABLES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 7, 19 December 1911, Page 5

GENERAL CABLES.

A SHIPPING COMBINE

'By Electric Telegraph.—Copyrigi t.) (.United Press Association.)

London, December 18

The Times states that, subject to shareholders’ ratification, the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company and the Klder Dempster Company will acquire all tho Union Castle Line’s ordinary shares, and adds that the companies are interested in a scheme for the biggest combination of shipping interests in tiie world.

The Financial Times, commenting oil the scheme, says the Cape will become a more important centre of over-

seas trading, and will possibly ultimately be one of the world’s clearing Houses. One of the immediate results must bo to filing Australia and South Africa into closer touch.

THE RAILWAY AGREEMENT.

London, December 18,

Stormy meetings of railway men at various centres summoned tiie executives to resign owing to the conference agreement, and for withholding the puoJication of the recent ballot concerning the acceptance or rejection of the commission’s report.

SEAMEN 'S CON DIT LON

London, December 18

The Merchant Service Guild has submit eel to the Snipping Federation a suggestion for the improvement of the conditions of officers .and men. including tiie payment of local rates when they make a prolonged stay in Australia anti New Zealand.

BIG BILLIARDS,

London, December 18

The Times says tho first billiard match was not brilliant. Stevenson was formless and lost three critical days, while Gray was stale, and adds that he is not the player he was last season.

STRIKE AT NEWCASTLE,

London, December 18

The carters and general contractors’ labourers at Newcastle have struck for an advance of two shillings a week and reduction of their hours to 57.

THE FRENCH NAVY

Paris, December 18

The report on the Naval Estimates recommends the replacement of the battleship Liberte forthwith and tho building of more fast cruisers, destroyers and submarines, and tho employment of larger guns.

THE A BOR EXPEDITION.

Calcutta, December IS. Every effort is being made .to. negotiate v itii the Aharo tribesmen through friendly cliiefs.