NOTES FROM LONDON.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16448, 3 June 1919, Page 3

NOTES FROM LONDON.

COAIAIERCIAL ASSOCIATION.

TO PROTECT BRITISH TRADE. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. LONDON, May 21. An Imperial Commercial Association has been formed. Among its objects is the protection of British trade and traders wherever their interests are assailed. It also aims to direct public attention to the dangers of any form of restriction or control threatening to crush individual enterprise, to prevent the export of raw material or foodstuffs till British requirements are reasonably satisfied, ana to prevent wasteful Government expenditure. The council consists of thirteen leading London merchants, including Lord Inchcape and Air. Weddel.—Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn. LABOUR AND THE PEACE TBRAIS. LONDON. Alay 21. Thirty-three Labour leaders have signed a manifesto protesting against the Peace Treaty being drawn up secretly by the Alinisters of a few great Powers. The treaty violated the Government’s pledges, particularly 2dt, Lloyd George’s pledges to Labour on January 5. It was further urged that the treaty does not recognise the change following the German revolution, resulting in tho establishment of social democracy. The treaty contains the germs of now conflicts, and creates conditions of unrest and injustice which must make the League of Nations, if it survives, merely an instrument of Imperialism.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. EXPLOSION OF LYDDITE. LONDON, Alav 21. While men were loading shells into a wherry at Armstrong and AVhitworth’s works at Newcastle some Ivddito exploded, and the wherry sank. The shell shop was nearly wrecked. Six men are missing and many arc injured, a wide area of buildings being damaged. Official.—Thirty-two were injured and no one killed or missing in the Newcastle explosion. THE COAL COAIAIISSION. LONDON, May 31. Giving evidence before me Coal Commission, Lord Gainford stated that the Coal Owners’ Association had authorised him to say that if coal owners were not allowed to keep complete executive control they would refuse all responsibility for the, industry. IMPERIAL SETTLEAIENT. LONDON, Alay 21. A conference of members of the House of Commons considered the formation of a Parliamentary group for the purpose of arranging a scheme of Imperial settlement and forcing it on tho Government. THE BUDGET DEBATE. LONDON, Alay 21. The House of Commons passed the second reading of the Finance Bill. Sir Edward Carson deprecated the proposed capital levy as an unsound method of taxation. Ho said that Britain owed preference to the Dominions as a mark of gratitude for their splendid share in the war.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

WOAIEN TO BE AIAGISTRATES

LONDON, Alay 23. In the House of Lords the Justices of Peace Qualification of Bill was read a second time with the assent of the Government. It makes women eligible to act as magistrates,— Reuter.