SENSATIONAL ENDING

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2682, 31 January 1916, Page 5

SENSATIONAL ENDING

RECORD SESSION OF BRITISH ~ PARLIAMENT , t CQMPLETE SURPRISE FOR ' TOBACCO INTERESTS

THE PAPER CRISIS

By Teieerarh-Press Association—Oonjrii&V Uondorii'Jaauarv ~28.. i.v The record session has ended. ; "It hag been tho longest of modern times. • It included three Budgets. Parlia* ment passed credits for £1,562,000,000, added 3,000,000 men to the Army, and closed with-a sensation.. ' Mr. Runciman's announcement regarding the impending 'stoppage -of- tho'. importation of raw tobacco eanjo as a complete surprise. It is estimated that there are 240 million pounds of tobacco in bond—sufficient -for two, years—and most of it is already paid for. The stoppago of tobacco imports would mean a loss of revenue of £24,000,000. . .The estimated cubio tonnage of all imported tobacco is 160,000 tons a year. This is about one-twelfth of the space taken by paper ' and ' woo'd-pulp.' Tha stoppage of this is expected to be likely to necessitate the .discontinuance of many of the-minorperiodicals, and tha production of fewer books', particularly, of the sevenpenny novels. . .The "Daily Chronicle" expects ..tha.. Government to legislate restrict:ing^.the' size of newspapers and the use of paper , for posters and trade catalogues. Other*' wise Britain's dxports and" nianiifaoc tures will he reduced and her imports increased, both of which are ' undesiiviable. .

AUSTRALIA MAY FOLLOW SUIT. (Rec. January 29, 11 p.m.) Melbourne, January 29. Mr. Tudor (Federal Minister fotl Customs), states that his present intcii- ; tion is to follow Britain's lead in cutting down the importations- of luxuries, in order to restrict the use and' relieve tho pressure oil tYeship- ' ping.