MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 November 1916, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

THE FOOD PROBLEM. CUTTING DOWN HOTEL MEALS. Received Nov. 20, 7.20 p.m. London, Nov. 10, Newspapers are featuring the food problem, and discussing the appointment of a policy food controller, -rt-ith a viewto lowering prices, which are still ris-. iiiff. Mr. Runciman, President of the Board oi Trade, meets on Wednesday the managers of the chief hotels and restaurants with a view -,o abolishing waste and cutting down menus. It is suggested that at all the hotels the meals .should consist of a maximum of three courses. As an' alternative, the French system of a graduated tax oil meals is suggested. I usurious waste is prevailing in West I'nd hotels and restaurants, which are crowded nightly. NEW SCHEME NOT AFFECTING PRICES. London, Nov. 10. The talk of food regulation has had litt'e effect on prices. There is a slight increase in the price of English meat. Potatoes are largely withheld owing to the uncertainty whether the Government wii' take over the supply. The Food Prices Commission favors a fixed price for wheat. Experts advocate t'.e Government offering British farmers fixed rates for the 1017 crop in order to stimulate cultivation. Important journals urge that the solution is increased tonnage and opening the Black Sea. There is necessity for immediate effort to increase the mercantile tonnage.

THE SIEGE OF ANTWERP. MR. CHURCHILL'S NARRATIVE. Lonlon, Nov. 19. • Mr. Churchill, in the Sunday Pictorial, begins a stirring narrative of the ellnrt to relieve or enable Antwerp to defend itself by means of the promised Anglo-French army of GO,OOO, including two French divisions, until the great butle southwards had been decided. Mr. Churchill, points out that Sir John French's /army at that moment was disengaging itself from the hard-won positions on the Aisne and was about to begin its northward journey, intending tc regain its position on the left of the French line and therefore marched to Lille. Had the hopes of the British and French Governments materialised the Allies lines in the west would have been drawn through Antwerp, Ghent and Lil!e. NOTES FROM LONDON. EARLY ENGLISH WINTER. London, Nov. 19. There are snowdrifts and blizzards in Wales, Derbyshire and Yorkshire, and ga!es and some shipwrecks on the English and Irish coasts. RETURN OF DOMINIONS' COMMISSION. Reecived Nov. 21, 12.50 a.m. London, Nov. -20. The Dominions' Commission have arrived at Liverpool. They have visited Central and Western Canada, and their overseas journeys are ended. EGGS SIXPENCE EACH. London, November 10. Eggs in some English towns are sixpence each, a record price.