IF THE TAEL DROPS BELOW ONE
SHILLING!
HONG KONG DAILY PRESS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1931.
H.K. CURRENCY PROBLEMS.
CHINA MAY ASK FOR A MORATORIUM ON GOLD LOANS. EXAMINATION BY BANKING
IF SILVER SLUMPS TO STAGNATE
IMPORTS
[TUROVOK REUTER'A AGENCY.Į
Shanghai, February 10.
The strong rumours that if the Tael drops below one shilling. China may be obliged to ask for a moratorium in connection with gold loans are discredited in well-informed circles.
The Finance Ministar, Mr. T. V. Soong, is understood to be strongly opposed to a moratorium so long as the Customs revenue (of which the import duties are collected in gold units: Lo,, 19.7265 peace) is sufficient to meet the loan commitments.
1.
If, however, silver slumps so much as practically to stagnate imports and thus seriously affect the Oustoms revenus, the post- tion for Obina vis-a-vis her gold debta obviously will be most dif-
fleuit.
SHANGHAI-CANTON
AIR MAIL.
HYDROPLANES "ORDERED FOR THE SERVICE.
[THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
PORTHOS-FERRY COLLISION.
DUE TO A BLINDING SNOWSTORM.
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
Tokyo, Feb. 9.
The collision between the Messa- andgerics Maritimes liner Porthos and a ferry-boat outside Kobe Harbour this evening, occurred during blinding snowstorm.
NANKING, Feb. 10. The early inauguration of the.
mail Shanghai-Canton air passenger service being part of its programme, the China National Aviation Corporation has ordered a number of hydroplanes for this ser- vice.
The route will be along the Chinn const with stops at Ningpo, Foo- chow, Amoy arid Swatow.
LUNGHAI RAILWAY LOAN.
PROPOSED NEW AGREEMENT.
(Wah Tez Tat Pao.)
"
Sixty-nine persons who were aboard the ferry-boat are missing, and must have lost their lives;
Twenty-five were rescued.
Flity Still Reported Missing.
a
TOKYO, Feb. 20. Twenty-four of the passengers on board the Kikusui Maru at the time of the collision with the Messn gerics Maritimes liner Porthos were picked up, bringing the total Aurvivors to 40.
NANKING, Feb, 10. In view of the Lunghai Railway Loan Agreement having remained Fifty of the passengers are still ineffective, the Nanking Railway missing, and it is feared that they Department is proposing to the Belgian interests concerned the con- have been drowned, though rescue clusion of a new agreement. boats are still battling with the The Railway Department has ap-high waves and in a raging snow pointed a commission of fx mesterm searching for possiblo sur bere to take charge of the matter.
CANADA'S NEW GOVERNOR- GENERAL.
APPOINTMENT OF EARL OF
BESSBOROUGH,"
vivors.
Disaster Due to a Combination of
Circumstances.
LATER.
According to the published de- tails of the ferry-boat disaster, most of the passengers on board were holiday-makers returning to their homes on Shode Island, in the Inland Sen, lo celebrate the old-style New Year.
The disaster apparently was due to a combination of circumstances, a blinding blizzard, a thick mist and a strong current.
EXPERT.
EUGENE CHEN'S USEFULNESS.
FOREIGN SETTLEMENTS RENDITION CAMPAIGN.
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
(From Our Own Correspondent.)
LONDON, Feb. 10. The Morning Post's City Corre.. spondent, referring to Mr. W. H. Clegg's visit to the Far East, says that he is going to Hong Kong, where he will not concern himself with the general position of silver,
SHANOM, Feb. 10.
LANCASHIRE HARD AUSTRALIA'S WEAK
HIT BY CHINA,
TARIFF, INCREASES
"KEENLY" FELT.
THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]:
LONDON, Feb. 10, In an address before the Man- Mr. Eugene Chen, formerly Forchester Chamber of Commerco, Mr. eign Minister during the disorders H. W. Lee, the retiring President, accompanying the evacuation of the said the Government of China had British Concession at Hanow, is hit Lancashiro hard with last now staying at the Palace Hotel month's tariff increases, He wish- awaiting appointment as Chairman ed they could create confidence in of a Government: Committee which trading quarters here by announc paign for the rendition of the increases, at least, for two years. Foreign Settlementa,
FINANCIAL POSITION
BIG DEFICIT FOR LAST SEVEN MONTHS.
[THпDOG ARUTAN'S AGENCY.)
CANBERRA, Feb. 10. The Federal Government's dedcit for the last seven months was £11,487,000.
No Money Available for Oll Prospecting.
VICEROY REPLIES TO GANDHI.
POLICE EXCESSES INQUIRY NOT DESIRABLE.
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENOT
NEW Dani, Feb According to the Allahabad cor respondent of the Hindustan Times. the Viceroy's reply to Gandhi's lot ter holds that an enquiry into the Mr. Blakeloy, Minister for Home alleged police excesses is not desir Affairs, has announced that in viewable at present, The police atti is available to subsidise oil pros pecting
but only with the special problems intends to launch an intensive cam Fing that there would be no further of the ânancial stringency no money tudo generally is. exceptionally
of the Hong Kong currency.
A Johannesburg telegram of the Sth inst. stated that it was under stood that Mr. W. H. Clegg, retir- ing Governer of the South African Reserve Bank (who was formerly in the Bank of England), was short- ly leaving for Shanghai, on the invitation of the British Govern mont, to investigate the Chinese silver currency problem.
NEW ZEALAND EARTHQUAKES.
TRIBUTE TO NAVY BY GOVERNOR-GENERAL.
[BRITISH WIRELESS SERVICE.
RUGBY, Feb. 9. Too Governor-General of Now Zealand, Lord Bledisloc, who with
11
wife spent the weeks end in the curthquake dovastated Hawkes Bay area, in a cable to the Dominions Secretary in London, refers to the quiet courage, mutual helpful- ness, resourcefulness and discipline of the whole population, including the Maori raco, amid a scene of wholesale destruction and bereave
ment,"
AMERICA'S NAVAL ESTIMATES.
SMALL REDUCTIONS IN
· MEN AND SHIPS.
BIG AVIATION PROGRAMME.
[RKUTER'S AMERICAN SERVICE]
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10. The Appropriations Committer has sent to the House of Repre- sentatives the annual Naval Sup ply Bill, providing credits to the. extent of 8344,000,000, which is a decrease of $36,000,000 compared with the current year.
Tho Committee recommends & sharp decrease in officers attend the Naval Academy and in
listed personnel. ¿
ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE.
BRITAIN UNAWARE OF CO-OPERATION OFFERS. [BRITISH WIRELESS SERVICE]
Rrony, Feb. 9.
Fremiera Denounce Deispit Proposals.
CANBERRA, Feb. 9. Each of the State Premiera at- the Premiers' Conference repudi ated the proposals of Mr. Lang (Premier of New South Wales) to suspond. the interest on her debt. to Britain, "cut" the interest on all Governments' borrowings, and abandon the gold standard.
good. Congress volunteers at many places have not abided by the Con.. grees injunctions for strict non- violence, and the best course now is to let bygones ba bygones.
•
Lord Irwin complains that the Congress has not helped to create a peaceful atmosphere, and ká points out that the proceedings on Independence Day (January”|| 28),"' Mr. Theodoro and Mr. Scillia when the Gafwalls were congratu both described the proposals as stated, were an incitement to the In the House of Commons, the deliberate default, and referring meeting. Secretary for India, Mr. Wedgwood to Mr. Lang'a threat to enforce his Bean, said that be hoped it might proposals in New South Wales, shortly be possible, to announce their. Theodore warned them that if Government's policy as to the
one State walked alone the whole carrying on of the work of the lot would go down together.
Mr. Scullin emphasised that the Round Table Conference,
Commonwealth meant to honour its ports in the Press of the interview fault would lead to panic, chaos,
He also stated Beyond re-
obligationa Repudiation or de and speeches of Gandhi and other
and financial crash. formation as to the offers of cosider the middle Congress leaders, I have no in-
He urged the Conforance to con- operation on their part.
course between: "cutting "
wages and repudia
Sir Tej Sapr and other deletion:: gates of the Round Table Confer- It also recommends the redueened are going to discuss the posi tlon of ships-of-the-line and crows,
The sum of 231,000,000 ig allowed. tion, with Gandhi, and Gandhi has expressed his intention of giving for naval aviation, which is a re- full consideration to, anything they duction of over $1,000,000.
"But," the report adds, "the ex- pansion programme over five-years, providing for a total of 1,000 saro planca, will be completed early in the next fiscal year."
THE POSITION EXAMINED,
The following examination of the relativo naval positions of Britain and America by Archibald Colback, the Sunday Times naval correspon dent, is of interest,
any,?
ALIENS IN AMERICA.
APPROPRIATION TO ACCELER- ATE DEPORTATION.
[REUTER'S AMERICAN BERVICE}
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10. President Hoover has asked Congress to appropriate 3500,000 to enable the Immigration Bureau to
MUNGANA GOLD MINE DEAL.
COMMONWEALTH TREASURER IN CROWN ACTION
{THROUGH REUTER'B'AGENCY.]]
BRISBANE, Feb, D Based upon the findings of the Queensland Royal Commission of Enquiry into the circumstances attending the purchase of the Murgana (Chillingoo) Mines by the Queensland Labour Government when Mr. Edward G. Theodore
He adds: The medical relief services organised by the Ad- miralty are, working smoothly. With improved transport, the majority of the population have left Napier, and its well-equipped field hospital has evacuated the most serious casualties to other hospitals in the North Island, Unevacuated, homeless people have been accommodated comfortably under canvas in the Public Parkers of the heaviest type, Arimed BRITISH PRINCES ARRIVE solicitors. and alsowhere.
Essential supplies are fairly 'adequate, and tho deficiencice, chiefly of clothing, are being rapidly made good. The prompt, efficient and indefatigable services et naval officors and men continu- ously from the time of the initial disaster are beyond all praies, Sailors are engaged on the demoli- tion of precarious buildings and the recovery of bodies, from beneath great piles of débris, The scone of ruin is difficult to exaggerate. The tremors continue, but are
rious."
As everybody anticipated, the
On February 4 Gandhi despatch- ed a letter to the Vicary, accord- ing to the Allahabad newspaper Leader, urging an official, inquiry into certain instances of alleged police excesses which called for
test cases." The Leader said that if the
the inquiry. Viceroy agreed to Gandhi would interpret the action
as genuine pence gesture and would take steps to persunde Con- of' Mr. gress to take advantage Ramsay. MacDonald's over,"
LABOUR CONDITIONS IN RUSSIA.
SOVIET DECLINES INQUIRY PROPOSAL.
[BRITISH WIRELESS. SERVICE.I
Rugar, Feb. 9. Questioned in the House of Com ons as to whether the Soviet Government would co-operate.” in the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry into labour conditions in
American Budget for the year 1032/accelerate the deportation of aliens, the present Federal Treasurer, was Russia, similar to the League in
makes provision for considerable. novel construction. Seron, crui- with 8-inch guna, and one vory large aircraft carrier, are to bo laid down before the close of the current fiscal year. When this pro- gramme in taken in hand, a few months mee, the state of the American cruiser. floet will be: ten 7,000-ton cruisers of the Omaha class and four older cruisers, ao. tually in service, with fifteen 10,0000-ton cruisers under construc- tian.
There is, of course, nothing in this that conflicts. in the slightest not, degree with the London Naval Treaty. By the terms of that treaty America may possess: 180,000, tons of 10,000-ton cruisere-
German President's Sympathy. In a telegram to the King,
Frezident von Hindenburg has expressed his sincere condolences on the New Zealand earthquake disaster, and assured His Majesty that the whole of Germany feels the deepest sympathy,
fraRocor REUTER'S AGENCY.].
LONDON, Feb. 8. His Majesty the King has been pleased to appoint Lord Vere Brabazon Ponsonby, 9th Earl of Bessborough, as Covernor General of Canada, in succession to Vis count Willingdon, who was recently Both ships were travelling in the appointed to be Viceroy of India, same direction...
The King, in reply, expressed in succession to ford Irwin.
The Porthos signalled to the profound gratitude for the kind Kikusui Maru, bat owing to the messago, which, he is confident, Canada's new Governor-General | blinding snowstorm the signal was will be deeply appreciated through- was born in October, 1880, being either misread or not noticed. A out the Dominion. the eldest son of the eighth Earl strong current carried her across
of Bessborough. In 1999 be suc-the hows of the Porthos, which readed his father in the Earldom, practically cut her in two causing And also became Viscount Duncan- the vessel to sink before there was non and Baron Ponsonby. Educated tima to launch the boats, at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge he was called to the
It was the Porthos, it will be
Bar Inner Temple, in 1003, and recalled, which was responsible for later beenis Member of Parliament the rescue of the survivors of the for Cheltenham Conservative). Tricolor dienster at Colombo re Jn 1012 he married a drughter of cently.
the late Baron Jean de Neufizs,
and has one son and a daughter.
To has been 'Denuty Chairman of
De Beers Consolidated Mines, Ltd.
ained 1994. and in Chairman of the
EUROPEAN ECONOMIC
UNION..
Sao Paulo (Brazilian) Railway, SOVIET ACCEPTS INVITATION.
-Ltd-
U.S. AMBASSADOR TO JAPAN
RE-VISITS PHILIPPINES.
[THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]-
MANILA, Feb. 10, The guns of Fort Santiago roar- ed a salute.welcoming Mr. Forbes, U.S. Ambassador to Japan, and party on their arrival on board the Empress of Canada this moro- ing.
The party were received on the by an officini delegation headed by Señor Honorio Ventura, Secre- tary of the Interior, and a guard of PAPAYAKARTALLsation a fastspad
[THROUGH MEUYER'S AGENOL.7
Moscow, Feb. 0. The Soviet Government has ac cepted the invitation of the League of Nations to participate in the deliberations of the Committee which is engaged in investigating the prospects of European economic union,”“
EMPIRE PRESS UNION.
BRITISH WIRELESS, TÉLE PHONY IN THE EAST.
ITIKOUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
Governor-General Davis and his daughter, Cynthia, and Mr. Dwight, Major Astor was re-elected Chair jun, welcomed the party to Manila, man of the twenty-first annual An elaborate programme of enter meeting of the Empire Press Union tainment has been prepared, and A Singapore-dologato complained the Polo Club, founded by Mr. of the backwardness of British Forbes, is arranging polo matches wireless telephony in the East and a gymkhana in his honour; compared with the Dutch
Work of Bestoration at Napier
Progressing.
WELLINGTON, Feb, 10. Since yesterday's violent shocka there has been only one minor
tremor.
tion is proceeding space.
At Napier the work of restern Shipments of wool valued at £100,000 and 155,000 Carcases of meat from the earthquake zone 'are. being prepared.
Official Casualty Statistics.
LONDON, Feb. 10,
sighteen units, and 113,000 tons of Cinch gun cruisers-probably about
ty unita
IN PERU.
VISIT TO INTERNATIONAL PETROLEUM FIELDS..
BUITISH WIRELESS SERVICE.]
RUGBY, Feb. 9. The Prince of Wales and Prince George arrived at Cape Blanco, Pern, this morning, and motored to Salera
Their plans include a visit to the International Petroleum Fields and the Lobitos Oil Company's Fields, a British concern.
Prime Minister, the Crown's state- ment of claims in the case have bean delivered to the defendante'
It is understood that the Crown's claims total £30,000, four defen dants, including Mr.. Theodore, being jointly sued.,
Commission's Finding:." Guilty of
Fraud and Dishonesty."! The Commission, which submit- ed its Report in July last, found that Mr, Theodore, another ex- Fremier of Queensland, Mr. W. McCormack, and the Blines Man- ager, Mr. Goddard, were guilty of fraud and dishonesty in procuring. the State purchase of the mines for
£40,000..
Afterwards they will rejoin the
Afr. Theodore immediately resign. 6.8. Uropees and continue theired his position in the Federal voyage to Payta
POPE TO BROADCAST.
INAUGURATING VATICAN WIRELESS STATION,
(THROUGHI REUTER'S ́AGENCY.]
VATICAN CITY, Feb, 0.
4 and G. p.m. will broadcast in The Pope on Thursday between
Latin an address throughout the world on the inauguration of the Vatican wireless station.
1
But just because this building Programme is strictly in accord under the, treaty, and because ance with America's undertakingi nobody imagines that any United States, Government would ever branch the treaty, it does not, on that account, follow that Ameri cán naval building is, hencefor
·ward, of no further interest to us, This statement needs explanation. No Unpleasant Surprises. To say
that the expansion of the American navy is likely to pro- duce the same consequences as the. growth of the German
pre influenced by á rivalry, in nought fleet would be at once irres design, which has replaced the nation knows beforehand, how older, cruder rivalry of increasing. strong the American fleet will be tonnage, Now, the treaty grants five or ten yeate from now, foreighter 10,000-tour-cruisers, each to America the right to build. the relevant figures are published in the treaty. Alp, this maximum one of which will outmatch the 8- American strength is called parity inch gun cruisers allowed to Great er equality. The nation is, there. Britain, because it will contain a fors, well protected against any great number of those improve
which constitute the
Dread-
ponsible and foolish. The British.
The Governor-General of New of those unpletesat military-sur-mate in design and mechanism"
superiority.
of the nower over the earlier of those ships.
战
Zealand has cabled the Dominions, Office stating that the death-roll prises or, what is worse, the anti from the earthquake so far is 16oipation of an unpleasant surprise, while 150 were injured.
which deteriorates political rela tions between neighbour States. It is obvious, therefore, that, The treaty chocked acute, naval parity, as defined by, the treaty, is rivalry between the two countries quality in statistical tables and The naval bargain was a bad one equality on the high was. If for several reasons. First, numeri. American. governments show cal equality between the British keon and resolute intention of 'ex and American cruiser feets means reising the rights granted them that, though their numbora in,
by treaty, they will thereby show tonnage and guns are equals the keer and resolute intention of American forces will always out emphasising American naval sup number ours at any particulareriority on the high us as soon point on the ocean highways and it is quite inconceivable that and an energetically as they can.. Secondly, the treaty grants Ameri-
NEW DELHI INAUGURATION.
DOMINIONS: COLUMNS UNVEILED BY VICEROY:
[THROUGH LEUTER'S AGENCY |
New DELI, Feb. 10.
ca A greater superiority in heavy this should be done without poli- cruisers than most persons imagine. tiond repercussions. In Great Bri-. It is often supposed that heavy tain the inequalities of the treaty 10,000 ton cruisers armed with 8. have been accepted, complacent.y. The inauguration of New Delhi inch gune are all of approximate largly because they were regarded began with the unveiling of the the same fighting strength.
as distant contingencies, but it is too much to suppose that this com four columne gifted by the four great. Dominions of the Empire
placency will be undisturbed if ktha zoyal, interjerili at frost. Brij tain becomes an accomplished fact. No: British Government will re main indifferent to a building pro
Where América Galns, The supportion is very far fr large and distinguished gathering,, expressed the deep, gratitude of accurate, for every defect or weak India to the Dominions for their ness revealed in the first of these generosity and goodwill, and hevessels is remedied in the next, sad prayed that the columns would the 10.000-ton cruisers now being forever symbolise the unity of the built by all the great naval Powers Empire
(Continues at foot of next column.)
gramme that might in the end,
which JB already distasteful Rive sa haly emphasis to a policy enough,
Cabinet, though he declared that the charges were the result of the work of political enemies,
It is less than a month since Mr. Theodore resumed his position as Mr. Scullin's second-in-command.
Do you
quiry made at the instance of, the Liberian Government, the Foreign. Scerotary, Mr. Arthur Henderson. said that the Soviet had intimated. to the British Ambassador that they would not consider any request for investigation into the timber industry in Russia.
He added that without proper facilities he feared that no inquiry, would he satisfactory or effective.
CALIFORNIA HORSE SHOW FIRE.
FOUR MEN AND FORTY-SIX HORSES PERISH;
[REUTER'S AMERICAN SERVICE.]
OAKLAND (Cal.), Feb. 9. According to the Intest estimates. four mon and 46 horses perished in the Horse Show fire.
The Q.8325,000.
damage is placed
Know?
that with a Modern Gas Cooker you can cook a meal consisting of 23 lbs. Roast Beef Yorkshire Pudding Cauliflower.
3 lbs. Baked Potatoes
and Apricot Charlotte
for four people at a cost of 12 cents only. (At a demonstration in the Research Laboratories of Radiation, Ltd., London, a similar meal was cooked and the actual gas consumption was 21.75 -Extract from "The Daily cu. ft.
Telegraph")
Gas Cookery is Cheap Cookery.
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HEAD OFFICE & WOLES..
CENIBAL SHOWROOM.
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