FEDERAL PREMIER IN LONDON

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2705, 26 February 1916, Page 5

FEDERAL PREMIER IN LONDON

A BIG PROGRAMME URGENT QUESTIONS FOft' ■ DISCUSSION fly rcTegra-pli—Press Association—Copyright London, February 24. Mr. W. M. Hughes. tho Australian Prime Minister, will arrive' here next week. ■ His programme will, necessary ily, not bo rigid. He will busily investigate Australian questions, and be consuited regarding double income tax, wheat, metals, shipping, immigration, and Britain's further war needs. With a. view to his appreciating the vast war preparatiou, lie will be given opportunities of acquiring inside information, and will possibly visit the fighting front, the factories, and the arsenals. Ho will have personal interviews with Ministers and official committees. It is hoped tnat lie will succeed in remedying \ the double incomu t-as trouhla. Sir George Itoid (ex-Higli Commissioner) made representations on this subject to Mr. Lloyd George, hut without result. The position is now more acute, owing to the growing' strain of the war increasing the-taxes. The possibility' of erecting British smelters will be considered by the Federal Premier. Although there has long been an agitation in- England in favour of prompt action 111 dealing with ores, tho proposals have not been accepted; the official reply has been to await Mr. Id ughes's arrival. Sir. Hughes will inquire regarding shipping possibilities and lower freights, i particularly in view of recent disclosures as to shipping profits. Ho will also inquire concerning the Italian criticisms of the immigration problem, which is a difficult one, owing to the English cjoser settlement and tho greater aversion of continental countries, especially France and Belgium,' towards emigration; also the increased competition by Canada. It is expected that when peace is in sight' a Council of overseas , representatives will bo summoned, in ; accordance with official promise to consult the Dominions as to peace terms. j Mr. Bonar Law (Secretary of Stats for tho Colonics), in response to an I. inquiry by a representative of the Australian Press Association, said: "There - ■; will be nothing at present in tho nature j of an Imperial Conference. I will, con- j fer with Mr. Hughes on various mat- i 1 ters, and ask his opinions. He will i come in a similar capacity as did Sir ! Robert Borden (Canadian Premier) on j the lattor's recent visit, and .to. .the ] same extent will be 'admitted to ou; ; counsels." 1 BELLIGERENTS'- LOSSES IN SHIPPING ; By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright j (Rec. February 25, 11.50 p.m.) ! • London, February-25.V ' Lloyds'' record shows that 2193' ves- , sels, aggregating 3,774,0.00,.. tons,, have ; been detained, captured, or destroyed ; by belligerents. Of this total 485 1 sels, aggregating 1,506,000 tons, were ' British; 601 vessels, of a total tonnage of 1,276,000,, were German; and 736 1 vessels, of a tonnage of 441,000, were neutral. • _ -- Submarines .sank. 225 British: .vessels,. of a total tonnage 0f.746,000-.. Many of \ > the captured neutrals' vessels have h.'en released.