1920-01-22 — Page 3

THE CHINA MAIL EXTRA.

HONGKONG, THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 1920,

TO-DAY'S CABLES.

(Reuter's Serving to the China Mah. )

TRADE WITH RUSSIA?...

LONDON, January 20.

The food-controller,

The

Mr. Roberts, in а speech expressed the conviction that the ever upward tendency the cost of living is due to decreased sources of supply. "only way out of the impasse was to discover new sources and thereby re- establish competition. He abhorred trading with Bolshevists but had to recognise that the stringency in Britain was due to being cut off from Russian supplies. He asked which was the wiser policy, to endeavour to tap, these sources or to risk still higher prices? If it were possible with honour to resume trade with Russia they could andoubtedly, open up a vast new avenue of wealth and employment. If they did not do so he was convinced that Germany and America' would. He mentioned that for some time past he had been in communication with Russian.cooperative agencies which had survived despite Soviet opposition and were to-day operating in soviet territory.

Colonel Ward in a speech emphatically condemned opening up rela- tions with soviet Russia. He declared that no such thing as a cooperative society or trade union existed under Soviet authority. He related an inst ance of a soviet confiscating trade union propery and funds on the ground that the capitalist regime and the relationship of employer and employed had ceased to exist, therefore trade unions were no longer necessary. Despatches from Paris stare that it was on Lloyd George's initiative that decision was taken partially to raise the blockade on Russia which is regarded by the papers as a most important measure.' Food-controller Roberts told the labour conférence in London yesterday that the Allies had undertaken to supply Russiarwith seeds, cluthing, woollens, and other necessaries in exchange for corn, food, and raw

materials. This arrangement would operate comparatively soon. There were at present a million tons of wheat in Russia ready for export, immediately transport facilities were available.. Negotiations were now proceeding with soviet Russia.. There seems to be a growing feeling in-favour of the decision. The Observer says the decision is a cold douche of commonsense after the alarmist semi-official communi- ques on the subject of Bolshevism. It is practically an announcement that the Allies are willing to give every chance to the possibilities of Russian peace which is indispensable to general peace." The Sunday Times says: Urged by panicmongers to rattle the sabre, the, supreme council has preferred to extend the olive branch and to convince the Russian, people that the allied nations earnestly wish Russia to resume her place in the human family circle." The Westminster Gazelte says: The war office account of the European Asiatic peril was the last attempt to stampede the public with a view to altering the decision known to be impending in Paris.

1.

EMPIRE AND COTTON.

LONDON, January 18-

The Weekly Dispatch says the forthcoming report of the empire cotton- growing committee says the empire can remedy the world's deficiency of cotton provided the impérial and dominion governments assist and that all ́ engaged in the cotton industry cordially co operate. It will suggest that the committes continue to exist and that it be given general control of the development of the cotton industry with a treasury grant of £10,000 annually for five years for expenses. It will also suggest the im mediate establishment of a central research institute to investigate the. scientific principles of cotton-growing and the government's all empire cotton-growing areas should fully control cotton-growing and establish local associations of growers and advise them.

The report will suggest that money should be found by the treasury for cotton growing areas and the cotton industry. The committee look to Egypt for the greatest help as regards increased production, and say proper irrigation of the Northern delta would result in an increase of at least 900,000 bales. Development work in Uganda and Nigeria is expected to produce an aditional 100,000 bales. With regard to the Sudan it is possi- ble to put another million acres under cotton. As regards India, the defective methods of marketing and malpractices with regard to seed where, by the better types of cotton fail to realise their full value must be reme died before any improvement is possible.

NEW BRITISH LOIN, -

LONDON, Jan. 20,

The newspapers, commenting on the new British five year 5 per cent. loan, emphasise the special feature that the loan is redeemable under five years at the option of the holder by notice given in January 1921, 1922, or 1923, requiring repayment twelve months later. Another feature is that the new bands and interest are exempt from British taxation, including incometax, for holders not resident in the United Kingdom. The object of the loan is to replace obligations totalling about £200,000,000 maturing in the present

year.

APPOINTING HONGKONG

GOVERNOR.

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT.

the severe climates that they have to live in by being granted periods of service in home Government Depart- ments in England?

The Under Secretary of State for the Colonies (Lieut-Colonel Amary):" I hope my hon. friend will not draw Mr. Gershom Stewart on Nov. 26 any such inference as he suggests asked the Under Secretary of state from the appointment in question, for the Colonies whether the recent Colonial governorships have always appointment of a senior official of the Colonial service, and any

been open to other services besides

the Home Civil Service to a first attempt to narrow the field of class Culánil governorship is an selection would be open to serious indication that the Government con- objection in the interests of the efficiency of the, public service. I sider that they have no officer in the entirely agree with my hon. friend Colonial service capable of filling such that there would be many advant an appointment; and whether, if, as ages in establishing a system of at present obtains, Colonial appoint. interchange between the home and ments are open to the Naval and the Colonial services. The possibility of doing so has been often under. Military Departments, and also

to consideration, but the difficulties are thome. Government Departments, he very great could arrange for. some inter Mr Stewart: In view of the fact changeability between the Colonial that the Colonial. Secretaryship of service and home Departments so Ceylon has recently been given to an that the authorities at home Admiralty official, will the hon. abould get to know their gentleman do his best to prevent the own Colonial officials personally, and Colonies becoming the dumping/ .so afford their Colonial officials, il ground for other Government De

deprived of the prizes of their own partments to the detriment of the service, at least some relaxation from officers of his own Department ? 7