BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 February 1916, Page 5

BRITAIN.

RESTRICTION OF IMPORTS. , JVAR MAKES IT IMPERATIVE. deceived Feb. 10, 10.30 p.m. • London, Feb. 10. The Business Committee of the Unionist Party in the House of Commons privately discussed Mr. Runciman's problems arising from the restrictions on imports. Mr. Runciman indicated that the War Office's and Admiralty's demands for shipping were so great that restriction was imperative. The deputation drew particular attention to the claims of the dominions. PREFERENCE FOR DOMINIONS. Received Feb. 10, 11,25 p.m. London, Feb. 10. 'A Unionist deputation urged Mr. Runciman to see if lie could accomplish this aim by taxing imports and giving ■the dominions preference. It was argued that the present scheme would raise prices without giving revenue. WAR AND TRADB, Received Feb. 9, 9.5 p.m. London, Feb. 9. A French wireless message says that Sweden permits the export of five thousand tons of wood pu~ io the Allies. The Anglo-Italian freight question has been settled by a lowering of rates to enable Italy to obtain coal at a reasonAble price. APPEAL FOR FUNDS, ' " Received* Feb. 10, 10.30 p.m. London, Feb. 10. , The Lord Mayor opened a fund to assist recruiting and equipment. He is appealing to cities overseas, bankers and merchants. ' 'OVERSEA BATTALIONS. Received Feb. 10, 10.30 p.m. London, Feb. 10. The War Office has sanctioned the I raising of two overseas battalions of the London Regiment to consist of men from the Dominions, now in Britain. RECRUITING CAMPAIGN REDOUBLED. ANOTHER CHANCE FOR SLACKERS. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, Feb. 9. The Government is making an effort to reduce the number of men who will not be Bhamed into enlisting. The recruiting campaign has been redoubled. Big red posters are appearing on the hoardings: "Single men! Will you march too, or wait till March 2?"

ECONOMY CAMPAIGN. London, Feb. 9. In connection with the economy campaign the London County Council is considering a reduction of £900,000 in the education vote, including £150,000 in teachers' salaries, £50,000 on the cost of prizes and scholarships, £94,000 on cleaning and repairing schools, and £500,000 on new buildings. When the Derby groups are called up the teachers in London will be reduced by 3000 and the substitutes will he chiefly young women with three months' training. COPPER BOOM. London, Feb. 9. The copper boom is attributed chief! v to American operations. The Financial News says that while it is _ distasteful to the Allies to pay such inflated prices there seems no way of restraining the Yankee boom tactics. The Daily Telegraph attributes the position of pig-iron to speculative operations checking legitimate trading. ' AGAINST CONSCRIPTION. it _ London, Feb. 9. The Miners' Conference passed a resolution opposed to the spirit of conscription, and the determined exercise of vigilant scrutiny of any proposed extension of the Military Service Act was recommended. Districts arc to consider the resolution ajid forwar dtheir decisions within a month.