MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1916, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

AFTER-WAR TRADE. : j 1 ( SPECIAL COMMITTEE APPOINTED, j WIDE SCOP]' OF WORK;. Rceived July 19, 7.5 p.m. London, .Inly IS. Mr. Asqnitli lias appointed a committee to consider an afterthe-war commercial and industrial policy, with special reference to the Economic Con ference's recommendations. The committee is to inquire what industries arc essential for the future safety of the nation, and the steps necessary to establish them; secondly, what steps ni'e neecsary to recover the home and foreign trade lost by the war. and to secure new markets; third, to wlmt extent and by 1 what means the Empire's resources can be developed; fourthly, to what extent and by what means the Empire's sources of supply can be prevented from falling into foreign control. The eoijiniHteo includes: Lord Balfour ' of Burleigh (chairman), Messrs. A. .T. Balfour, H. Gosling aiul W. A. S. Hewins, Sir A. Motul, Sir F. E. Smith, and Mr. G. J. Wardle (members of the House of Commons), together with Lord Farringdon's committee. (A London cable message of .Tune 30 stated that the Board of Trade had appointed a committee, under the chairmanship of Lord Faringdon, to consider how to meet the need/s of British firms after the war regarding financial facilities for trade, particularly with referenda to financing large overseas contracts.) WORKERS FOREGO HOLIDAYS. | London, July 18. The National Trade Union Congress at Cnxton Hall discussed Sir Douglas Ilaig's appeal for munitions to support the army. The congress decided to postpone holidays till the end of the war, and to send a message assuring General Haig that the supply of munitions would not only be maintained, but increased all tint was possible. A message was also sent to the Allies' commanders as a proof of the spirit of British workmen. BELGIAN FOOD PROBLEM. DIFFICULTIES OF DISTRIBUTION. London, July IS. The Belgian Relief Committee considered the Belgian politician's letter, cabled yesterday. The commission admits that serious riots are occurring and that the population in some parts declares the commission's ration is insufficient to support life. The difficul- j ties of distribution have not diminished. ; Holland, for the past three months, has j prohibited the export of potatoes, which , the commission does not supply owing to their deterioration during a voyage across the Atlantic. A new agreement, has been arranged by Spain and America with the belligerents and has insured that the Belgians shall retain their own potato and sugar crops and cattle. Since the new agree- ' ment the Germans have not seized any cattle. Occasionally German soldiers ; have seized food, but the authorities ! have made restitution whenever com- ; plaints have been made. The Commission states that two millions are wholly, and li millions partially dependent on the commission, while millions are able to purchase the commission's rations. CONDUCT OF THE WAR. : .CRITICISM PREMATURE. London, July 18. In the House of Commons, Mr. Asquith said the Dardanelles papers could not be published at present, except in incomplete form. The War Council was unanimously of opinion that their publication would assist the enemy. Every step in Mesopotamia had been . taken on the advice of the military ! authorities. As regards the conduct of ; the campaign there were undoubtedly . incidents which aroused anxiety and doubt whether the best means had been adopted to secure the end in view. The . Commission of Inquiry into the medical , arrangenfents in Mesopotamia reported . lint when they left everything possible was being done. The Government whs , satisfied that the imperfections of the transport were being remedied. The Army Council strongly opposed the publication of the Mesopotamia papers as they would furnish the enemy with the most valuable information, and the General Staff was of opinion that their publication would prejudiea the, succes" of the operations. ' I Replying to the suggestion that the 1 Dardanelles and Mesopotamia expeditions should be discussed at a secret session, Mr. Asquith said: "We have had or.e such wperiment with no great success." ! PARTY ACTION. j Received July 19, 8.35 p.m. [ London, July 19. The Unionist War Committee is dis- , satisfied with Mr. Asquith's attitude with regard to a discussion on the Mesopotamian and Dardanelles' operations, and they have requested Sir E. Carson to move for a Select Committee to enquire. into the conduct of the operatiens at Gallipoli. the Dardanelles and Mesopotamia, including the requirements of the troops, the provision for the sick and , wounded, and the fixing of the respensibility on the departments whose duty it was to attend to these matters. The Liberal War Committee has tabled a motion, in Sir F. Oawley's name, calling for the production of medical reports and other papers. Mr. Churchill jeined the latter committee and attended the meeting. - GERMAN PRISONERS IN ENGLAND. f London, July 18. Mr. Forster, in the House of Commons, 5 stateil that there were 21,535 combatant prisoners in England. Part of those captured at the Somme had not reached England. . t i WORKERS AND WAGES. f London, July 18. i The annual, report of the General ■ Federation of Trade Union says that any 1 fiscal system which will secure wages sufficiently in excess of subsistence rates

to permit of reaonable provision for illness anil old age, will receive intelligent consideration. Let the Stale guarantee a minimum wage based upon prices and human requirements. The State control of production and imports may be considered, but trade unionists will not tolerate attempts to increase the powers of\exaction of monopolists. MESOPOTAMIA CAMPAIGN. Received July 10, 7.30 p.m. London, July IS. In Hie House of Commons, Mr. Asquith said that transport difficulties in connection with the Mesopotamia campaign arose from the necessity for sending seven divisions instead of two. The seven divisions pushed on ahead of the transport in the hope of effecting the relief of General Toivnshend at Kut. Sir .14. Carson said that thousands of people thought the whole Mesopotamia!! campaign was conducted witli criminal negligence. He asked for an opportunity to debate the matter, including the hllegiition that the troops were asked to fight with obsolete guns, Mr. Asquith promised an opportunity on Thursday. DAILY WAR EXPENDITURE. London, July 17. Mr. MeKcnna said the expenditure was now over six millions daily. The Finance Bill passed the third reading.