BRITISH AFFAIRS

Southland Times, Issue 18827, 21 May 1920, Page 4

BRITISH AFFAIRS

THE FOOD OUTLOOK. GRAVE SPEECH BY THE CONTROLLER By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, May 19. (Received May 20, 7.40 p.m.) The Food Controller, speaking in London, said that before the abolition of food control could be secured difficult periods must be passed. At the present moment tha average prices of foodstuffs in Britain were at the highest point since the outbreak of the war. In consequence the national wage bill increased in two years by £500,000,000. The world’s prospective wheat crops were causing every Government in the world the greatest anxiety. Substantial decerases are reported from North America, Australia, and the Argentine, and the latter was considering the necessity of prohibiting the export of wheat. Only the Indian crop showed a surplus, but it was insufficient to balance the decrease from other sources. It was quite possible that people in Britain would have to eat bread of the only quality procurable during the most difficult period of the war. He urged the people to eat New Zealand mutton and save flour and bread. VITAL STATISTICS. RETURNS FOR ENGLAND AND WALES. LONDON, May 18. The quarterly return of marriages, births and deaths for England and Wales shows births, 271,082, which is a record; deaths, 137,637, of which 4037 were due to influenza. The infant mortality was 88 per 1000, which is 32 per 1000 below the average of the ten preceding five quarters. There were 230,760 births and 137,022 deaths registered in the three months ending December 31 in the United Kingdom. The increase of population therefore is 103,738. The marriages during the same quarter numbered 238,460. THE ALIEN QUESTION. A BILL DROPPED. LONDON, May 18. In the House of Lords, Lord Stanhope on moving the second reading of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Bill said it largely modified the Act of 1914, and subsequent measures. He contended that foreigners ought not to be admitted while exservice men were walking the streets unemployed. The Lord Chancellor declared that the proposals were wholly unworkable. The bill was not amendable and, inter alia, would involve a revolution of the whole system existing as the result of repeated conferences between the Home and dominions Governments. It would involve breaches of understanding with the latter and constitute an attempt to legislate for the dominions within their own territories, which they undoubtedly would resent and to which it was wholly impossible to give effect. The bill was dropped without a division. PASSPORT RECIPROCITY, AN INDIAN PROPOSAL. (United Service.) LONDON, May 19. (Received May 21, 12.50 a.m.) The Colonial Office transmitted to th* Dominions the proposal of the Indian Governineht for passport reciprocity respecting' Bolsheviks, Sinn Fcincrs, 1.W.W., and other undesirables with a view of preventing their migration pending the permission of the countries to which they desire to proceed. Britain rejected the proposal, but the Crown colonies and protectorates agreed to it. SIR THOMAS MACKENZIE. FAREWELL ARRANGEMENTS. LONDON, May 19. (Received May 20, 10.40 p.m.) Mr Fisher presided over a large meeting at Australia House of City men and officials to arrange a farewell to Sir Thomas Mackenzie. Sir Peter Mcßride said that they regarded Sir Thomas Mackenzie as a man with whom they had always been able to consult, on difficult problems affecting Australasia and the Empire. Mr Lloyd George wrote regretting that owing to ill-health he would be unable to preside at the banquet. Lord Milner had agreed to preside. The banquet is fixed for June 10. An influential committee was appointed, in-, eluding Lord Harcourt, Lord Northcliffe, Lord Burnham, Lord Beaverbrook, Lord Inchcape, Lord Carmichael, and the Lord Mayor and Councillors. Australasians in the Houses of Lords and Commons will bid farewell to Sir Thomas at a dinner on June 10. Lord Milner will PAPER MANUFACTURE. SUBSTITUTES FOR SPRUCE PULP. LONDON, May 19. Professor Dunstan at the Imperial Institute tested numerous substitutes for spruce pulp. He stated that bamboo was most hopeful. Esparto grass from Tunis was excellent, but it needed combining with other materials mixed with chemicals and absolutely pure water. South Africa produced the right sort of grasses abundantly but wattle bark waste was far better and made good paper, bleaching well. He suggested that consumers should form a producing association similar to the cotton growing organisation.

BREWERS’ EXHIBITION. COLONIAL WINE COMPETITION. LONDON, May 19. The Brewers’ Exhibition is holding the usual colonial wine competitions. Entriee close on October 16.