MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1916, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

EXTRAVAGANCE AND WASTE. A STRONG INDICTMENT. MILLIONS INVOLVEft Received August 20, 5.3 p.m. London. August 10. Tlie Public Accounts Committee's report for 1014-15 criticises the extravagant payments for collecting and selling waste rations, and the large commissions paid to brokers.

The naval deficit is .£51,751,000, and the army deficit £211.807,000. The Minister for Munitions ell'ected substantial reductions in prices, despite the increased cost for labor and materials, by compelling contractors to supply statements of manufacturing costs, and exercising rcquisitftmary powers. The committee regrets the Admiralty had not possessed a similar system before the war ,for breaking contractors' rings, and were only now slowly introducing the system. The Government had ofiected a saving of £3.000,000 annually in sand baps alone, by taking over' the jute trad?. £40,000 was lost by the purchase of unsuitable horses in Ireland, inferior animals being supplied in substitution for those bought by the Army Council. The refusal to" re-consider, until the end of the war the system of paying retired and active service pay to retired officers on rejoining the service, involves a cost of £700,000 annually. The civil servants and naval officers do not enjoy similar concessions. The cost of butting the troops, hospital patients and horses in the 'United Kingdom totalled £24,500,000. BRITISH ZEPPELINS AN IMPROVEMENT ON GERMAN. Received August 20. 5.15 p.m. London, August 19.

Tlie Daily Express' naval correspondent describes the new British Zeppelins as beautifully designed and finer models than the Germans, and of amazing speed. CORNERING OF SUPPLIES. PREVENTIVE ACTION. Received August 20, 5.5 p.m. London, August 19. An Ordcr-in-Council empowers the Board of Trade to obtain information as to whether goods of any description are being held to the prejudice of national interests. This will prevenj the cornering of supplies,

LABOR AND THE WAR. WITHDRAWAL OF REGISTRATION BILL URGED. Times Service. London. August 18. The Wai Emergency Workers' Committee has passed a resolution urging the withdrawal of the Registration Bill, and the appointment of a Select Committee to consider redistribution and adult suffrage. A deputation of Clyde Trade Unionists waited on Mr. H. J. Tennant to protest against further liquor restrictions in Glasgow, including the closing of hotels at nine on Saturday night until Tuesday morning, declaring it probably would cause strikes. Mr. Tennant promised that he would consult Mr. Asquith. ,

OFFENSIVE PROVING SATISFACTORY. * . INDUSTRIES AFTER THE WAR. Received August 20, 5.5 p.m. London, August 19. Lord Derby, in a speech at Southport, said they could take it from him that high military authorities were absolutely satisfied with the way the offensive was going. There was not the least doubt the wa. was turning gradually in our favor, but we must not be impatient. We would not find the old political parties antagonistic after the war, but the central party, with whom were the business men, were determined to erect greater industries than ever, WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE. ! RELIEF FROM CIVIL LIABILITIES. Received August 19, 5.5 p.m. j * j London, August 18. Mr. J. W. Gulland, M.P., is reported to have told a suffrage deputation that there has recently been a groat advance in the attitude of the Government towards women's suffrage. The enfranchisement of women is practically certain, but a lot of old fashioned prejudice exists in Parliament. He advised women to refrain from agitating at present. Sixty-five thousands claims have been made for assistance, under the Government scheme to relieve soldiers from civil liabilities. The number is far les3 than anticipated by the Government. Half the claims have already been met, the average grants being £l7 10s. ENCOURAGING REPLY TO WOMEN. Received August 20, 5.5 p.m. London, August 19. Mr. J. W. Gulland, replying to the Scottish Women's Suffrage deputation, said it was only a matter of time when they would receive a vote. They might consider that women's suffrage was practically safe.

CABINET CHANGES. Received August 19, 7.15 p.m. London. August 19. ■ Earl hjs been appointed Minister for Education, and Mr. Henderson Paymaster-General. An order frees lnin for the position of Labor adviser. Mr. H. K. Newton lias been appointed assistant Foreign Under-Secretary.

BRITISH PRISONERS IN GERMANY. RETALIATION THREATENED. Received August 21, 1-2.45 a.m. London, August 20. Lord Grey has requested America to warn Germany that if, contrary to agreement, non-commissioned officer prisoners continue to be deprived of theii; recreation and other privileges for refusing to volunteer for work other than that of supervisors, we shall be compelled to retaliate. He emphasises that the American Embassy representatives reports show that British prisoners in Germany receive only meagre rations, and. in some instances, food unfit for •consumption.

LABOR ADMINISTRATION. London, August IS. Mr. George Barnes becomes Secretary of the Labor Advisory Department, which controls the agricultural side of the Labor question. Mr. Hetfilerson takes over the industrial side. It is expected that a Ministry of Labor will be created after the war. EXPORTS TO SWEDEN' PROHIBITED. Received August 20, 5.5 p.m, I ■" London, August 10. I The prohibition of exports to Sweden has been gazetted.