LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16033, 26 January 1920, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A Copenhagen cable states that the British warship Malaya, arrivng at Wilhelmshaven, fired the first salute to Germans since 1914.

.The troopship Bremen is now expected to arrive at Wellington to-morrow evening from Home, via Hobart. The vessel arrived at Hobart on Friday and resumed her voyage the same night. The Bremen will berth at 'Wellington next Wednesday morning.

The German Government is creating a Foreign Trade’ Bureau to prevent exports at prices materially below the world’s market prices, and secondly to impose export duties which will be abolished as soon as German prices approach world level. A London cable states that the inquiry into allegations against the graves detachment (that the body of a French aristocrat had been exhumed in defiance of French law) showed that there was no case against the second officer mentioned, and he has resumed duties in France.

Senator Heed, in the United States Senate, attacker Mr .Hoover for acting as go-between tire House and the British Ministry prior to the United States’ entry into the war. Mr Hoover was now promoting bis candidature for the Presidency, for which position he was considered suitable owing to his British connections.

According to Tokio Press reports, the Advisory Diplomatic Council has decided to withdraw tho troops from Siberia shortly. Japanese soldiers ana now being sent to Siberia merely for the purpose of replacing losses. The Council asserted to Japan has no territorial aspirations in Siberia. . Some 926 acres of settlement land in the Wellington Land District are proclaimed in last week’s Gazette as set apart for soldier-settlement; also 416 acres in the Marlborough Land District, 166 acres In Canterbury, 2690 in the North Auckland Land District, and 40 acres of Crown land in tho Southland district

‘‘There seems to 1m a panic in New Zeal aid in regard to sugar supplies, remarked a prominent Auckland merchant. “There is no question that sugar is being boarded. I firmly believe that sugar sufficient to meet the requirements of the Dominion for two months has been accumulated during the past months by private individuals.” Some idea of the Big profits that are being made by British cotton companies at the present time is conveyed by the recommendation of the directors of the Fern Spinning Co., Shaw, neax Oldham, to pay a final dividend of 30s per share and a bonus of .£ls per share, making illS for the half year, equal to 120 per cent per annum and ' absorbing .£IB,OOO.

Although prices for second-hand motor cars have advanced to an extraordinarily high level, apparently rates in New Zealand lag somewhat behind, those ruling in other countries. A man from Australia has recently purchased a number in New Zealand as a, speculation. He is shipping them to Sydney for resale. It is understood that quit® a number of second-hand cars have recently been shipped to Australia. The cost of painting may be gathered from the fact that a shipment of linseed oil by the Mahia will cost 10s a f gallon, and white lead still holds its price. Oil ‘drums, which formerly sold at Is each, are now worth nearly five times that amount. The difficulty in securing supplies of prepared paint may be judged from the fact that consignments have just reached the South which were ordered in England from eighteen months to two years ago. A painful accident befell Y. Eansford in the last Yiotorian-New South Wales cricket match. Ho was partnered with Mayno, when Kellaway sent down a full toss, which the batsman said seemed a “certain four penn’orth.” Bansford hardly deflected the ball from the shoulder of his bat, when it struck him full on the nose, flooring him as flat as a pancake. He had to be taken to a hospital, where it was discovered that the cartilage of the upper part cf the nose had been fractured. Ho took no further part in the game.

Mr A. C. Coleman, Chairman of the Marion Farmer's’ Union, states (says the Advocate) that he has been in communication with the Prime Minister and the Coal Control TBoard, to get 150 tons of coal diverted to Eangitikei for threshing purposes, and now, with the aid of Mr W. S. Glenn, M.P., he has received Avoid that the coal, which is Newcastle, will be in Wanganui in about ten days’ time, and will be sent to Mr H. C. Gronn, of Marion, who will control it, and it will be for the use of farmers of the district wEo have threshing to be done. For a period of a couple of years during the war, the iron trade of New Zealand aves living from hand to mouth for supplies, and had it not been that the foundries were able to eke out tbeir slender stocks of pig iron Avith scrap iron, there would have been a cessation of work. Supplies of “pig” iron are now, however, on a more secure basis. Scotch is still shy in supply, hut the Lithgow works in Now South ? Wales are now in a position to supply the New Zealand demand'. The coal shortage is giving ironmasters a- little trouble at present, in common with the rest of the community.

An Auckland telegram states that the dry spell prevailing since the middle of October has been broken, steady rain setting iu about nine on Friday moraiug. In twelve hours one inch has fallen, this being the first occasion since October that this figure has been recorded. Rain continues. Cargo operations in port, Avhich is particularly busy, are delayed by rain. Fully two days and a, half were lost last week, rain necessitating cessation last Monday afternoon, no work being done on Wednesday yn account of the watersi dors’ picnic, and work closing at 10 a.m. on Friday. Exhibitions of life-saving are in future to be given on the Castled iff beach every Sunday by the suburban Surf Club, under direction of Mr B. Carpentier, instructor at the Avenue baths. This should give confidence to bathers, as parents will be more inclined to'let their children have a swim near the surf reel. It is a noticeable fact that all swimming is done at watering places in line with the reel. The public Avill appreciate the new departure the Surf Club is making, and keen interest Avill doubtless be taken in the Sunday exhibitions of lifesaving.

Instructions have been received by Mr S. J. Collett, Government Tourist Agent in Christchurch, to somewhat relax the regulations providing that persons who travel beyond New Zealand must obtain passports. It will not now be necessary in null cases for him to insist on applicants obtaining police reports, and he may dispense with this formality and gx*ant a permit when he is satisfied that the applicant is a bona fide citizen of good repute. It. is explained that the regulations are still enforced in other countries. If a New Zealander left New Zealand without a permit, he would not be allowed to land in any other country where the regulations are enforced, At present, therefore, no object would be gained by removing the regulation* here.

At a. meeting of citizens of' PoxtoO it was decided to form a volunteer firef brigade and: to secure a chemical engine. There are no less than 30 registered solicitors paying practising fees in Hamilton, 17 eiUicr employed by or in partnership with others. Exports from the port of South Ta* ranaki, Patea, for the eleven months of last year ending on November 30Ui, wore valued at £1.920,411. The hon. treasurer of the Wanganui Orphanage begs to acknowledge, with thanks, donation of £2 6s towards Orphanage funds, from “Anonymous,’ 1 Castlocliff.

In a speech in the United States House, nrging the adoption of the antti sedition laws, Blanton said there were 6000 strikes in tha United States during the war. Tlie Morea’s next outward voyage from London will be to India only. No P. and O. mail steamer is yet available for Australia, and it is still uncertain when the Naldera and N arkuuda. will be ready.

A Waikato visitor to Levin states that the high prices being received foS butter-fat at the dried milk factories up north are enhancing tho price of good cows, and that dairymen expect values to go up to £SO and .£6O in a> year or two. One effect is to improvs the milking breeds, whilst anything below standard is promptly culled. It is understood that Japan propose* to utilise the natural insular barrier, of which the Pacific Islands north of tha Equator constitute part, for the purpose of organising an elaborate system of submarine and torpedo boat defence. It is believed Japan is making special .study of the German submarine system, and is training submarine officers.--.■ Washington cable. A Washington cable message states that advices from Peking state that the Italian Consul at Tientsin discussed informally with Chinese officials thd question of granting the Austrian concessions at Tientsin to Italy. The same question was brought up at the Peace Conference, where the Chinese voiced opposition. There is an. agitation in the Chinese press against granting fresh concessions in Chinese territory to any foreign Power.

The Duchess of Westminster, whose decree was made absolute on December* 19th, was secretly married to ex-Cap-tain Jas. Lewis, of the Air Force, They met when Lewis was undergoing treat-, meat at the Duchess' Hospital in France. Lewis, prior to the war, was in business at Lloyds. Ho is a sportsman, a billiard player and an amateur actor. For some time he has been the Duchess’ private secretary. He is a feiV years her junior. There was a short sitting of the Magistrate’s Court this morning, which wad presided over by Mr Wyvern Wilson * S.M. A first, offender for insobriety, who did not appear, was fined thq amount of his bail, 10s; another w;*< lined ss, while a third, who was also charged with breaking a pane of glass, valued at ,£2, at the Federal Hotel, wa,< ordered to pay the amount of the damage, or in default, seven days’ improsonmeut.

Tire success of the soldier candid aid was a feature of the Senate ejections; Four States, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and West Australia, each placed a distinguished general, with honours thick upon him, at the head of tfio poll. A number of less luminous military stars, in the persons o£ sergeants, commissioned officers and humble “diggers” were also successful in both the Senate and House elections,' Tire three or four returned soldier candidates who stood for Labour were all beaten.

According to latest Government fig* uros, Wanganui maintains its position as fifth exporting port of the Dominion. For tho eleven months of last year, ended 30th November, the value of exports shipped from this port was £3,545,623. This figure was exceeded by only four ports; 'Wellington £0,05,8026, Auckland 8,684,996. Lyttelton £6,366,428, Napier £4,413,048, Wanganui was closely followed by Gisborne with £3.372,211, and* Dunedin £3,133,909.

Interviewed relative to the possible appointment of a successor, Sir Thos. Mackenzie states (according to a London cable) that he lias received no communication from the Government about the position. Sir Thos. Mackenzie denies the statement of Mr Russell (ex-Min-ister of Internal Allairs') that be is only •willing to accept re-appointment on four months’ notice. It was the Govern * ment that was unwilling to grant a longer extension after the first extension, and he was still at th« Government’s disposal. Asked if ho knew anything of the appointment of a /Jennan diplomat id agent for Now Zealand, Premier Massey replied that such an appointment wad Germany’s concern, not New Zealand's. We beg to differ. Mr Massey shonM consider the matter of vital interest* Wo even go so far as to say that the New Zealand Cabinet should enter ltd protest against the appointment of Dr. Solf as Germany’s coming Ambassador (or Charge d'Affairs) at lokio, if, ad is suggested, he is to control Germany d interests in the whole of the Facifiu from Japan, Dr. Solf was the Kaiser’a brain in the South Sea, area when war was declared. When recalled to Berlin he was held in such high esteem that he was appointed to the Cabinet ad Colonial Secretary. Even as a Secretary without any Colonies he spoke or the Kaiserian aims and aspirations overseas, reiterating his conviction that Germany would get back all her captured tern torn s.—Feilding .Star. It is good to find that the consumer is at last waking up to the fact that he is being ground between the upper and - the nether millstone (says the Sydney Daily Telegraph), And this is only "natural where everybody else id organised. Consumers’ leagues m America have been able to bring unjustly inflated prices down like burst "balloons, and attempts are being made to follow their example both in this State and in Victoria. On the other side of the border there baa been established an organisation of consumers foC the purpose of assisting the Fair Profits Commission, which is soon to bo in operation, while a Housewives Association is endeavouring to, bring a, much-needed pressure to bear upon the Victorian Sugar Controller. And over here the Housewives’ Association of New South Wales is beginning a crusade against the high cost of living; it proposes, first, to work for the establishment of local municipal market®. v ' It - is all very well for the theorist to explain that since, after all, the consumer is either a producer or a middleman, he must benefit by any advantage that comes to one ride or the other. But everybody knows that it docs not work out iu this way. That largo part of the public which still stands outside ~ the great organised systems which are always struggling with one another gets nothing out of the struggle except dust and blows. It is high time it stood up for itself.

. troopship Bremen from. England xii Hobart is expected to arrive at Weliington on Wednesday, and the Ruapehu at Auckland on Thursday. Mr W M. Hughes, the Federal PreInier ’ had another interview with represpiititira of the marine engineers at Melbourne on Saturday. It is possible that another ballot will be taken. An unusual sight was witnessed a ,?~ red J ar <is from the Kiosk at (feet echfE on Thursday, when a flock sea” swans 'K’as seen resting on the J 11 ® F t ed ] era l Council of Churches in the nited States, representing thirtyAre million members, has protested to President Wilson again the Vatican's representation in the League of Nations. Detective Sergeant Brennan, after five ear 3 special police service with the Australian forces in Egypt, France and England, returned by the Osterley to London on Saturday. In recognition of tne ii irmoaions relations during close co-operation with Scotland Yard, officers or the Criminal Investigation department presented Detective Sergeant Brennan with a gold watch. In an interview. Detective Sergeant Brennan r ” -aid the general behaviour of Australians in London had hgen exceptionally good. All Australians serving sentences had now been repatriated. Newspapers in England are discussing a proposal bv the London traffic comnine that it should hand over tubes and omnibuses to the Ministry of Transport on similar terms to the railways, by which the Government would guarantee shareholders pre-war dividends. Papers point out that the combine's move is tine to widespread protests against the combine s bill seeking Parliamentary sanction to substantially increase fares. The Government might be willing to take over the tubes, but not the omnibuses, which are responsible for SO per cent, of the estimated defleit. In the petition against the return r,f Mr R Masters for the Stratford seat, it is alleged that the night before the election Mr Masters provided a large number of electors with a free picture entertainment with the object of inducing them to vote at the election; also, that at his first meeting of electors he supplied musical entertainment paid for by himself or his agent. Another complaint is that a large number of persons were admitted to vote in the successful candidate’s favour who, it is alleged, were not entitled to be registered as electors owing to legal disqualification or incapacity. Further grounds are that a number of votes were recorded upon ballot papers issued without the electors’ numbers being written on the counted-foils; that some rallot-napc-Ts were not stamped in accordance with statutory instructions; and that, at the booths at Stratford and Inglewood, the number of ballotpapers in the ballot-boxes far exceeded ihe number of names marked off the mil as indicating the persons voting there. Considerable interest is being taken by musical enthusiasts in Wanganui as to the probabilities of the Garrison Band competing at the Dunedin contest, and the following letter received by the secretary of the band from the liunedin contest committee speaks for itself, viz.: “My Dear Sir.—be understand that Mr "Partington, your new conductor, has now arrived, and we sincerely trust that your band will be going to take part in the Dunedin contest. I can assure you that the people are eagerly looking forward to weicoming your band to Dunedin, as the fame of your band is well-known to us all, and wc have never had the plea Mire of hearing your band here, and I can assure you wo would appreciate very much indeed if your band could see its way to take part in the contest. If there is anything we can do to facilitate things for you at this end. we shall be only too happy to do ,* anything in our power to enable your hand to come to Dunedin.” The band is having its first rehearsal under Mr Partington this evening, when he will be able to judge if there is a good prospect or not of working the band up to contest form in time for the Dunedin contest.