MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1916, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

ORGANISATION OF FOOD. STATE CONTROL OF SHIPPING UNDESIRABLE. Eeeeived Not, 17, 9.40 p.m. London, Nov. 17. In tlio House of Commons tlie food debate wa3 continued. Mr. Churchill stated that the shortage of labor was due to indiscriminate recruiting on a gigantic scale, in which every form of social pressure was ■ forced. He warned the House of *he exaggeration of the submarine menace. The Admiralty had a great anti-sub-marine organisation that was able to cope with the danger if properly used It was noteworthy that armed ships enjoyed great immunity compared with unarmed shipu Four-fifths of the armel ships beat off attacks, while four-fifths of the unarmed ships perished. Ho asked why the Government could not take over shipping, and also utilise native labor, and thus decrease the congestion at the ports. He believed the time would come when there would.be something like universal service, not only fpr the army, but for industry. It was essential to take drastic measures before the pacifists intervened. Mr. Runciman, President of the Board of Trade, replying, the shortage of ships was really due tc the navy's requirements. The food shortage was largely caused by the failure of the. North American harvest. Regarding the complaints of delay in grappling' with the food problem, ht said he believed public opinion hitherto was un picpared for drastic control, because it would cause trouble. He did not favor State control of shipping, because the woik would not bt so efficiently done. Received Nov. 18, 12.30 a.m. London, Nov. 17. In the House of Commons, Mr. Hewins's motion: "That it is the, Government's duty to adc-yt further methods of organisation to increase the national food supply, ind so diminish the risk of shortage in the event of the war being prolonged," was adopted-. : STATEMENTS IN PARLIAMENT, London, Nov. 16. In the House of Commons Lord Robert Cecil stated chat the Portuguese were'rendering signal service in German East Africa. The Government and people of Portugal were acting in the spirit of highest loyalty and doing everything in thefr powei for the Allied cause. He also announced that the Greclc army would be reduced to a peace footing and two army corps removed from Thessalv. The Allies were considering steps to prevent conflicts between Veniz»list3 and Royalists. ( Mr. Bonar Law announced that the I Government was seriously considering [ the restricting of man power in connecj tion with luxury trades.

CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT OF SEW ZEALANDERS. London, Nov. 10. Sir T. Mackenzie, General Richardson and the War Contingent Association ha\ e e6mpleted arrangements for the Ch-istmas entertainment of New Zealand soldier?. All will receive a plum pudding and gifts. Those on leave in London will be given a Christmas dinner COST OF FOOD. London, Nov, 10. The Board of Trade, in the Later Gazette, states that the average retail food prices on November 1 were 5 per cent, higher than a month earlier. Compared with July, 1914, pricet hav» increased 78 per cent. AWARD OF MILITARY MEDALS. London, Nov. 16. The military medal lias been a,warded to 245 Australians and 13 New Zealanders. SHIPMENT' OF INDIAN WHEAT. London. Nov. 16. The Wheat Commission has arranged with the Indian Government to sanction the export of 400,000 tons of wheat to Britain, France, and Italy. The shipment will take place in November, December, and January. NIGERIAN SALE COMPLETED, Received Nov. 18, 12.50 a.m. London, Nov. 17. The Nigeriar sale is completed. It realised £333,000.