Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 60, 13 March 1915, Page 5

Great Britain

THE LAND QUESTION.

RIDER HAGGARD WRITES TO THE TIMES. THE ANGLO-SAXONS’ TASK. Times and Sydney Sun Service. (Received 8 a.in.) London, March 13. Rider Haggard, the well-known writer, in a letter to The Times, says that if the cost of farm labor increases, he will be obliged to dispose of his dairy farm. It is the economical question which is of the first importance, he says. English women won’t return to the old habit of farm wont, except under actual want. With few exceptions the wives and daughters of small holders help the men-folk: occasionally the wife of the better class will assist, but the daughters won’t. Personally, he does not favor the employment of women except as dairymaids and for tending poultry. Young women are secure in rural districts, as most of them can marry; the rest go to the towns, and the men follow, causing depopulation. The Colonies desire women between the ages of eighteen and thirty who are perpared to work till they married, and the young man reared on the land. These classes in Britain are almost exhausted. This is a grave menace to the Empire.

“We are trying, 1 he says, “to hold nearly a quarter of the Earth with about sixty million Anglo-Sax-ons, and the task is as much as we can do.”

He sugegsts an immediate competent investigation into the whole land problem.

WORKERS’ FOOD CONFERENCE

United Peess Association. (Received 9.35 a.m.) London, March 12. At the Workers’ Food Conference, Mr Henderson (Labor M.P.) presiding, it was resolved to summon the Government to reduce the price if wheat and obtain control of ships.

NEW ZEALANDER DECORATED. \ ' . United Press Association. London, March 11. Cecil Humphries ,a New Zealander, who joined the Army Service Corps on the outbreak of war. and later exchanged to the First Manchesters, has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and vas promoted to sergeant on the battlefield, where Brigadier General Strickland assembled the men and decorated Humphries.

THE RECENT WAR LOAN.

NO PAYMENT OF UNDERWRIT-

INC COMMISSION.

United Press Association. (Received 8.20 a.m.) London, March 12. In the House of Commons Mr Lloyd George stated that no underwriting commission had been paid in connection with the issue of the British war loan of 65 millions.

MISCELLANEOUS. United Press Association. London March 12. The King, in reply to a message from a Russian society, extends his heartiest sympathy with the efforts to promote a lasting understanding between British and Russians. His Majesty looks forward to a final glorious victory.

The High Commissioner’s publicity department sent a photographer to Egypt. He secured 4000 feet of films of the Australasians training. ' These will be shown at 1100 cinematograph theatres in Britain, commencing on Monday. * Mr Tennant, in the House of Commons, said the Government had raided the offices of the newspaper Irish Volunteer, which had suspended publication. It had also suppressed another paper for publishing derogatory references to the Allies and praising the enemy.

The Consolidated Fund Bill was read a third timfe.

Mr Long complained that Colonel Seely and Lord Salisbury had been appointed Brigadied-Generals depriving professional soldiers of well-de-served honors.

The British were defeated in Mesopotamia, losing numerous prisoners and three guns.

The resignation of INF. Veuizelos is regarded as a hopeful sign.