THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.
EMPIRE PREMIERS ON TRADE OUTLOOK.
FULL CONFIDENCE IN BRITAIN'S RESOURCES.
"MEN, MONEY, MARKETS."
(BRITISH WIRELESS BERVICE :
Rcany, October 23rd.
the
of ench of Representatives Dominions and India took part in yes- terday's Imperial Conference discussion on economic questions, and speeches were issued for publication this evening.
Mr. Mackenzie King, the Canadian Prime Minister, welcomed the statement of the Secretary of the Board of Trade that an appreciably larger percentage of Britain's exporta were being taken by other parts of the Empire. The same satisfactory pesition as to total inter- Empire trade was indicated by an analysis of tradein Canada. In the past four years imports from the British from Isles increased Approximately
Canada 8163,000,000. $117,000,000 to wished that British imports formed larger propertion of her purchases, but
Froblem of Markets.
THB HONGKONG DAILY FEESS MONDAY,
They also viewed with deep admira- tion the great courage 'she showed e- cently in the return to a gold basis. The great problem of the Empire could be put into three words: Men, Money, and Markets, but Britain was almost entirely a problem of markets. Then the diff culty she was faced with industrially to-day must disappear, Britain had not, of World improvement in the last four
he considered, secured her fair share
years in trade,
Britain's markets of the future were to
GRAVE SHANGHAI INCIDENT.
ARMED MOB ATTACKS POLICE STATION.
BOMBS THROWN IN COMPOUND.
ALLEGED KUOMINTANG PLOTTERS.
M
(THROUGH REUTER'S JONVOY.]
SHANGHAI, October 24th. In the early hours of this morning an attempt was made by a mob to cap ture the Woosung-Shanghai Constabulary Police Station at the West Gate. It is Chinese, reported that numbers of allegedly Kuomintang Flotters, dressed in civilian clothes but heavily armed, descended upon the police station, but the authorities, who had been forewarned, were fully prepared.
OCTOBER 25TH,
COAL DISPUTE.
LORD DERBY AS MEDIATOR.
THE LEVY QUESTION.
[FTIAN WIRELESS” SERVICE)
1928
THE BRITISH CHEMICAL COMBINE.
TO MEET WORLD COMPETITION.
POOLING EMPIRE BRAINS.
BRITISH WIRELESS BERVICE.]
RUGBY, October 23rd. Sir Alfred Hond has accepted the posi- tion of Chairman of the proposed new Company to be constituted from the four big chemical firms-Nobel Industries, British Dyestuffs Corporation, United Alkali Co., and Brunner, Mond & Co.
In
RUGBY, October 3rd. After yesterday's meeting between the General Council of the Trades Union Congress and the Miners' Executive it was announced that the General Council
statement made to the press, Sir had considered the request of the miners'
A. Mond explained that it was the neces representatives for a special Trade Union sity for British industry to meet world Conference for the purpose of discussing competition that had brought the leaders step now in contemplation. In their the question of a levy on the affiliated of the chemical trade to undertake the Unions and of an embargo on exported view the combination would prevent coal
The General Council had decided to wasteful financial duplication, and would call a special conference of the Executivo result in the pooling of the most capable of the affiliated Unions to consider the brains and knowledge gathered through point that the chiefs of the combined in question of a levy. It was explained that out the Empire. There was the further this conference would deal only with the dustries of other countries desired to question of a levy. Apparently there was The gang were warned to disperse but no recommendation for or against the meet representatives of similar Britisk
organisations. refused, whereupon the police fired blank proposal, and it was stated that there
Organised Industry. He found some cause for concern in
Thea had been some plain speaking between cartridges, but without effect. the successful competition of other coun
some twenty rounds of ball cartridges the miners' representatives and were fired, and wounded one, who is in General Council on the subject. trics in the markets of Europe, Asia and South AmericaTrade with the Empire in view of incrensing competition from showed a great increase, but, even thera! kospital. The rest made off in motor cars other countries and particularly the ad- Britain had not taken her full share of with the exception of four who were vantage which United States exports the increased Empire trade. It should arrested.
It is stated that the mob threw two derived from close proximity and know be the task of the Conference to see if bombs into the station compound, which ledge of Canadian requirements, it was
some way of checking this tendency could
The constabulary are taking precnu- striking to find the share of British ex-not be found. Requirements of the home exploded but caused little damage. parts on the increase. He attributed this market in motor cars, for example, tendons against further attacks on police ed to lead British manufacturers to give insufficient consideration to the require- inents of overacas which were not always
in part to the preferential treatment ac- carded by Canada
Britain last year was Canada's best customer. Wherens four years ago ex ports to Britain represented a value of $300,000,000, last year they exceeded $300,000,000. During these four years Canada's trade with other members
British Df the
Commerwealth also showed
An expansion. agreement for reciprocal exchange of pre- ference with Australia had been reached; and trade and steamship agreement with the West Indies had been renewed Although it had not yet formally taken Empire Produce.
effect.
year
2
marked
Referring to the work of the Imperial! Economic Committee appointed last consider the marketing in Britaia of foodstu.is from the overseas Empire, he says its reports upon the general situation and on meat, fruit, and Lairy products were valuable analyses ut the present situation and contained many suggestions for improving condi. tions, of which advantage would doubt less soon be taken unest notably in legis. lation for marketing of Empire produce. On the same basis it should be possible to organise an effective and helpful. in- quiry into the marketing of other food. stuffs and other commodities including mine and forest products, and Canada would have pleasure in co-operating in
He proceeded to dress himself to the question of where be looked for since the development and progress of the Dominions, certainly of Australia, depended absolutely upon the purchasing power of Britain.
stations.
STUDENTS AMONG ATTACKERS. FURTHER ARRESTS BY CHINESE. POLICE.
the same. In this Australia was anxious to be of assistance as to her own needs. As to preferences he urged not alway that additional taxes should be levied on impurts inte Britain but that where
SHANGHAI, October 24th. there was duty, and that they could be
Students and unemployed were among reduced, greater preference should, when possible, be given to Empire products. the attackers at the police station, where. Voluntary preference existed to a great a large amount of arms and ammunition extent in Australia, and he thought that was stored. It is definitely ascertained it would be a great help in Britain that among those involved were members when the Merchandise Marks Art was of the Shangani Labour Union, & Red
organisation. brought into operation.
Surplus Population.
The New Zealand Premier, Mr. Coates, emphasised the advantages of the Empire being self-sufficient in all the essentials which "would not only place it in a stronger position to face any possible conflict but would by the exploitation of the resources of overseas dependencies enable it to arrange for the redistribu- tion of the surplus population in Britain, The proportion of Britain's trade with the Empire was increasing in a satis- factory if an uninspiring ratio. In New Zealand there was a most pronounced sentiment in favour of the purchase of Empire goods, and be suggested that the Trade Facilities Act might be extended to provide cheap money for the purchase of British goods.
The actual cash value of New Zealand preferences in 1925 was £3,500,000 inde pendent of preferences granted by local bodies in pursuance of the resciutions of the last Conference, to British contracts wherever possible.
further inquiry of this character. The Australia Prime Minister, Mr. Shanley Bruce, said he regarded the question of promoting inter-Imperial trade as the most important sae they had to consider. Proceeding to some general observations on the importance
The Minister of Finance of South Africa, of the economic problem to the future of
the Mr. Havenga, referred to the economic the Empire, he said its position World, its prestige, its nutbority in research werk that was proceeding in the counsels of nations had depended upon its Union and welcomed Mr. Amery's sug- commercial pre-eminence and not upon its gestion that closer contact should be armed forces or military strength. This established between Empire research also was a factor upon which its defence institutions, instancing the co-operation in the future most depend. It was that was taking place between institu- obvious, that with a far Bung Empire, tions in Ceylon and in Oonderstepoort " the obligation for naval defence for thein South Africa. protection of trade routes was greater Cotton Growing in South Africa. with them than with any other nation. Referring to new fields of activity in South Africa, he said that despite many drawbacks, satisfactory progress had been made in regard to cotton growing in conjunction with the Empire Cotton Growing Association, and valuable work was being done in investigating the habits of pests which now caused great trouble. He like all the other delegates, expressed appreciation of the work of the Imperial Economic Conference.
"
. Populating the Empire. Another very wide issue connected with the promotion of inter-Imperial trade was the populating of the Dominion. A further point was that. the unity of the Empire and its progress could only be ensured by adding ties of mutual in tereat to those intangible ties that had always bound them together. For these reasons he proceeded to consider what
The Irish Free State Minister of the Dominions could do to assist Britain in their markets and what Britain could Justice. Mr. O'Higgins, said that the do it assist them in the marktes of his Irish Delegates welcomed the opportu. country. The whole economic strength nity of taking part in the Conference, of the Empire was vitally dependent which represented a great clearing house upon the position of Britain which con- of thought and action, since owing to the tained 65 per cent of the white popu- inter-dependence of Britain and Ireland, lation of the Empire, which was to-day whatever made for the economic better- carrying the main burden of the defence of the Empire, believing that she could carry them only if her commercial pro sperity was ensured.
ment of one would have a like conse- quence for the other.
Chinese police raided a house, situated in a Chinese suburb close to the French concession, where they seized 70 Kuo- mintang fiaga, a pistol and 400. rounds of ammunition.
In Pootung seven Reda were arrested in the act of cutting the telephone wires. Other acts against peace and order are reported. Martial law was proclaimed to-night in Chinese territory immediately surrounding Shanghai. Vehicles and paa- sengers are being searched on entering Chinese territory from the Concessions.
PEKING SCHOOLS TO CLOSE.
DUE TO LACK OF FUNDS.
PEXING, October 4th. The Sino-foreign papers are giving prominence to the serious educational position of Peking, where, owing to the lack of funds, it is feared that the prim- ary and middle schools will close within fortnight, thus depriving nearly 300,000 children of education.
BIG EARTHQUAKE IN ARMENIA
A
HUNDREDS KILLED.
TOWN AND MANY VILLAGES DESTROYED.
Moscow, October 25th.
.
the
RUBBER RESTRICTION.
NEW OFFICIAL REGULATIONS.
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
LONDON, October 23rd. A publication dated 25th inst. from the Colonial Office announces that from November 1st, the export of rubber from Ceylon and Malaya will be subject to the following regulations. It is not contem plated that the regulations will be changed for å period of at least twelve months,
but, if it is decided thereafter to con tinue a temporary, policy of restriction for a further period, any changes of the regulations then considered desirable may be made..
(1) If the average price of rubber in London is below 1/9 per pound, but not below 1/3 during any quarter, the per- ceatage standard of production exportable at a minimum rate of duty for the ensuing quarter will be reduced by 10 per cent, this regulation is a reduction from the but if the reduction to be effected under Egure of 100 per cent. the reduced per- centage for the ensuing quarter will be
90 per cent.
(4) If such average price for any quar ter is not below 1/8 per pound, but below In variou forma of international re97. the per centage for the ensuing quar lations nations were represented byter will be unchanged, but if in each of plenipotentiaries.
the three consecutive quarters such aver. Mr. Pugh Hopeful.
Just as international conferences or
age price is not below 1/9 per pound-the.. Mr. Arthur Pugh, who presided over League of Nations, so modern industry the General Council, said that whilst the had to be organised to enable friendly percentage for the ensuing quarter will
be increased by 10 per cent. special conference would not deal with and useful contacts to take place in
(3) If such average price for any quar the embargo, steps would be taken to similar channels. Those concerned in
ter is 2/- per pound or over, the per- get into touch with the Crions concerned this fusion hoped that they would be set-
centage will be increased by 10 per cent. on this matter." Mr. Pugh, who yester. ting an example to British industries for the ensuing quarter, but if the in- day addressed
a letter to the Times in this direction. They had been made urging a settlement by the application with the desire, to create an organisation crease to be effected under this regula of the Coal Commission's recommenda- capable of
tion is an increase from the figure of 80 developing the British tions, said that the General Counci! had chemical industries throughout the per cent. the increased percentage for the still to consider the general situation in pire" and the world, and they intended ensuing quarter will be 100 per cent." regard to the coal stoppage. He was
to carry on this great enterprise with personally hopeful that something would every feeling of obligation for such u
duty.
happen.
Lord Derby's Offer. Considerable interest has been aroused by an offer made by Lord Derby to act "Speaking at Leighin, Lancashire, last as mediator in the coal dispute. night, he said
hope with all my heart that some means may be found even now that will reconcile the antagonistic interests and bring a peace that will be satisfactory to both parties. I know perfectly well that more harm can be done than good by anybody butting in,"pretending to be a mediator, but if I can be of any use there is nothing that would give e greater pleasure. But I would not venture to suggest that unless I were asked to do so."
Mr. Cook Agrees. Asked by Press representatives this morning if he would accept Lord Derby as a mediator Mr. A. J. Cook, the Miners' Secretary, said that he would accept Lord Derby or anybody else who would bring about a national settlement.
This is not the first time that Lord- Derby has figured as a peacemaker. It will be recalled that during the height of the Irish troubles Lord Derby went to Ireland, disguised, on a peace mission.
{THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.] MINERS' EXECUTIVE MEETS. NO PROMISE OF EMBARGO OR LEVY.
LONDON, October 22nd. After conferring with the Miners Executive all day, the General Council of the Trade Union Congress decided to
GERMANY AND THE LEAGUE."
AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT.
RUGBY, October 22nd. The report that the Conference of Ambassadors at ita Wednesday's meeting in Paris reached the decision that Ger man disarmament is insufficiently ad- vanced to warrant the question being handed over to the control of the Lengue of Nations is not true.
It can be stated officially that the mat- per was not even discussed by the Ambassadors. In addition to other busi ness before the Conference, a number of points connected with German disarma- ment were discussed and correspondence upon them with the German Govern ment is being continued.
(RETTER'E AMERICAN SERVICE. ]
THE HAVANA HURRICANE. WHOLESALE DESTRUCTION:
HAVANA, October 22nd. The destruction of telegraph and telephone lines and blocked railways and roads have isolated the provinces of Matanza, Pinar Del Rio and Santa Clara.
Hitherto 8100,000 has been subscribed for, the relief of sufferera. The value of the ships wrecked in the gale is estimated at several million dollars. Two import ant sugar factories were demolished and a third badly damaged. One thousand tobacco curing sheds at Lasa Ludad were destroyed
violent earthquake occurred atcall a special conference of the Executive that a violent storm seriously damaged
Leninakan, formerly Alexandropol
Three hundred were killed and seventy seriously injured
Half of the buildings in Leninakan are wrecked and several villages destroyed.
American Belief Workers gafa,
New YORK, October 23rd." A cable from Erivar to the Near East relief organisation reports that hundreds were killed, thousands injured, and many thousands rendered homeless by an earth- quake in Armenia last night, but that all the American workers are safe.
HEAVY DEATH ROLL. SIX VILLAGES OBLITERATED.
Moscow, October 24th. The Trans Caucasian Government states that 15 were killed and 30 seriously The Newfoundland Prime Minister, injured at Lecinakan, and 300 killed and Mr. Monroe, briefly surveyed the trade 300 injured in the neighbourhood. A The position of Britiain appeared to outlook of his country and stated that dozen villages are badly damaged, six be the key to the whole question of the the desirability of Empire preference of which are obliterated. The earth future of the Empire and of the devlop would be favourably considered by the quake lasted three minutes.. The seismo- ment of its different parts. Australia commission recently appointed to revise graphic station at Tiflis states that it Negotiations for was due to a collision between massive had watched with the greatest possible the customs tariff. sympathy the wonderful efforts that reciprocal preferences, with the West mountain layers. Britain had made since the war to re- Indies, on the lines of the Canadian
members of Affiliated Unions for Novem- ber 3rd, to consider the question of a lery on members of Affiliated Unions. It was decided that the question of an embargo must be considered with the principal Unions affected.
(BRITISH WIRELESS, SERVICE.} Trade Union Attitude.
A message from Balboa, Panama, says crops in the interior.
Several Towns Destroyed.
HAVANA, October 23rd. Arrivals from Isle de Pinos say that 38 persons were killed there in the hurri cane including 17 Americans. The dam age is estimated at 850,000,000.
Several towns are razed, and the fruit crop it ruined. Sugar and tobacco crops are extensively damaged.
Sugar Crop Damaged,
NEW YORK, October 24th It is reliably estimated that 23 per
RUGBY, October 2nd. The Miners' Executive to-day met the General Council of the Trade Union Congress with the object of endeavour- ing to obtain an embargo on imported coal and a levy on the Unions.
Details of the discussion were not cent of the sugar crop of Caba has been cfficially disclosed, but it is understood lost owing to the hurricane. that the General Council, while express ing sympathy with the miners did not promise either the embargo or the levy. The Trade Union leaders took the line that it was time the parties to the dia- pute got back to the coal Commmission's recommendations. They were willing to use their good offices to induce the deliberations on the lines of the Coal Government, if possible, to permit further Commissions report, but the two sides to the discussion had not reached a com- mon platform regarding the suggestion when the meeting was adjourned.
(Taxovod RECTER'S AGENCY.]'
BRITISH WARSHIP SUNK AT BERMUDA.
OTHER SHIPS DAMAGED.
store her economic, industrial, and com- agreement, have been proposed, and he | SOVIET LEADERS CENSURED BY ECHO OF AMERICAN MURDER dockyard, lost a topmast, and the cruiser |
other units of Empire.
A statement having been made on the trade position and prospects in India,
INTERNATIONAL.
TRIAL
DEDRAMS, Massachusetts, Oct. 24th. The Superior Court has declined a new trial for Bacco Vanzetti
mercial prosperity and recognised the would welcome a me arrangement with courage she had shown in bearing the tre-
Moscow, October 24th. mendous burdens which were placed upon
A plenary meeting of the Central Com- her shoulders by her efforts, in the fact that Britain had met all her financial a general reply on the debate was demittee of the Third International and the obligations and was repaying all her livered by the President of the Board Central Control Commission of the Com-
[A report dated September 13th stated: hat the World, although many of her of Trade, who said, the debate would munist Party, made a resolution censur- The Superior Court at Boston has grant
ing Trotzky, Kamenet, Sokolnikoff, debtors were not following a similar prove to be extraordinarily instructive
and encouraging to British traders.
Zinoviet and other members of the ed a motion for a new trial of lacco and Vanzetti, the Italians who were convict- course.
Central Committee and decided to dised of killing a paymaster and body- miss Zinovieff from the International guard at South Braintree, Massachusetts, and Trotzky and Kamenet from the Eve years ago. The conviction has re- Political Bureau.
sulted in much agitation all over-the- world on the part of sympathisers with the convicted men.]
TEA PRICES. WHOLESALERS BLAMED.
LONDON, October 23rd.
.....
BAN ON EX-KAISER.
RETURN TO GERMANY NOT POSSIBLE.
The Food Council's report on tea prioes f
BERLIN, October 23rd. has created a general impression, if its
In connection with the recent talk of conclusions are correct, says the Times, that largely owing to the world's greatly the possible return of the ex-Kaiser to increased consumption of tea and the Germany, Reuter is informed from & negligible demand-any way in Great most trustworthy source that the ex- Britain-fer the poorer clares of tea, Kaiser has so far not applied to the profits have been stabilised at a high Government therefor, and that, even if level in recent years and that, although he did, there is no possibility of consent restriction may in some cases be legiti- mate and even "necessary, all concerned in the wholesale trade could well afford to sell the tea they produce" and dis tribute at reduced rates.
being granted as the Government consi- ders that his presence would only cause anxiety among a great section of Ger- mana and have a fateful influence on public opinion abroad.
The meeting approved the agenda of the Conference of the Communist Party opening on the 26th inst. when Stalin will submit a report.
USE OF GAS IN WAR.
AMERICA NOT TO BE UNPREPARED.
New Your, October 24th While the State Department will on deavour to get the Senate to ratify the Geneva Protocol prohibiting the use of gas in warfare, Mr. Kellogg believer that America should keep abreast of foreign chemical productión, so as not to be an- prepared should an enemy resort to gas.
REBEL LEADER SUBMITS TO FRENCH.
BEIRUT, October 24th." Several members of the family of Attrash bave submitted to the French authorities, thus depriving Sultan Attrash, the rebel leader from most important supporters,
"ROSANDRA" „REFLOATED.
POBT BAID, October 23rd. The as. Rosandra has been refloated.
(4) If such average price is below 1/3 per pound for any quarter, the percent- age will be reduced to 60 per cent. for the ausuing quarter.
(3) If such average price is over 3/ per pound for any quarter, the percent- Lage will be increased to 100 per cent.
for the ensuing quarter.
(6) In no case will the percentage be increased above 100 per cent. or de.. creased below 60 per cent.
SINO-BELGIAN RELATIONS.
FIRM "ACTION HINTED..
RAUSSELS, October 23rd. The Government, in making known its the question of Sino- viewpoint on Belgian relations, says that juridically Belgium alone has the right to denounce the 1865 Treaty, b she is ready to con- clude a
ivendi until a madus
a stable Treaty may be signed with Chinese Government, in which there will be no inequality clauses.
new
The Foreign Minister, Mr. Vander- velde, in a statement to delegates of the chief Belgian Companies interested in China, said that the Government un- animously decided that the Treaty must still be regarded as in operation but if the Chinese proceeded with any hostile acts, etc., after October 27th, refuse Consular jurisdiction to Belgians, or take any steps contrary to the Treaty, Belgium will bring the proceedings be- fors, The Hague Court.
Forty Chinese demonstrated here as s protest against the unequal Treaties im Posed on China.
TRANS-SIBERIAN TRAVEL.
IMPORTANT CONFERENCE OPENS.
BERLIN, October 2nd. On the initiative of the Russian Government, an international conference on the question of Europe and Far Eastern passenger traffic has opened at Berlin. There are seventy delegates from thirteen States, including China - and Japan.
The object is to re-establish and im- prove the pre-war railway service from the west of Europe to the Far East. Herr Dorp Mueller, the Managing Director of German-Railways, emphasis ed the vital importance of the Trans- Siberian Railway and hoped the confer- ence would make it possible to journey to Peking from Paris in twelve days..
The conference will probably last 3 fortnight,
(REUTER'S AMERICAN SERVICE ]
EARTHQUAKE SCARE IN SAN FRANCISCO.
WALLS CRACKED AND WINDOWS. BROKEN.
SAN FRANCISCO, October 22nd.
LONDON, October 24th. The Admiralty reports that the Joop South Bermuda. Twenty survivors have Valerian was sunk in, the hurricane is
been accounted for so far.
BERMUDAS, October 24th. The sloop Wisteria, anchored in the
Calcutta lost her hawsers but was remoored.
A sharp earthquake at 4.30 o'clock this The hurricane half demolished the morning brought people in alarm from Opera House and the Oddfellows Club, their beds as far south as Paloalto. and there was considerable other damage Buildings rocked in San Francisco, but, but the business section of Hamilton no damage was done. is unharmed. There was no less life,
BIG SHIPPING MERGER RUMOURED.
BERLIN, October 22nd. circles that & shipping trust has been It is rumoured in Hamburg shipping formed, comprising the America, North German Lloyd, German-Australian and Kosma lines.
́ ́LATEE.
Clocks Stopped. The tremor was followed by two further shocks, the former of which was sharper than the first but only of fifteen seconda duration.
walls cracked in the Palace Hotel
Plate-glass-windows-were-broken-and- Clocks in numbers of other buildings stopped.
"
(Earlier Cables will be found on Page 3.)
Coupon
HONGKONG DAILY PRESS
Series C.
Cricket Competition
October 25th, 1926.