MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1916, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

PEACE TALK. ACTIVITY IN AMERICA GERMAN INGENUITY. Received Nov. 27, 10.4.3 p.m. London, Nov. 27. The pro-Gorman peace intrigues in America are attracting more than usual attention in England. Tl'.cy are recognised as being on a large scale, showing greater ingenuity than before. The New York correspondents consider that, though pro-Allies' circles may be exaggerating when they Tear .Mr. Wilson will yield to the clamor, the Aiiies cannot art'ord to ignore the movement.

TRADES INTERVIEWED. BIUTTSH CONTROL OF PRODUCE. Lor.aon, Nov. 20. In reference to Ihe statements in the Australian and New Zealand newspapers, that the Imperial Government controls the producers of the United Kingdom, while controlling the prices of overseas produce marketed in Britain, prominent authorities connected with the handling of produve, interviewed, pay that the statements are fallacious, as the exportable commerce of the United Kingdom consists chiefly of machinery and manufactured goods, which the (lovernment controls to an even greater extent than colonial produce. Moreover, it now controls the British agricultural and dairying industries.

In reference to complaints that there is insufficient refrigerated tonnage in the Australian and New Zealand trades, and the snggostior.3 to transfer some vessels from the Rivjr Plate for the use of Australasian shippers, authorities point out that the transfer is impossible, as tli™ Plate steamers are built for the special trade, and are mostly absolutely unsuitable for the Australian trade. Moreover the number of vessels in the f'late trade is inadequate, and every month considerable quantities of beef which the Anny urgently needs, eunnot be shipped because steamers are unavailable. Mutton can be used for the troops in Ens-land, and to a certain extent in France, but beef is absolutely necessary for the troops at the front. The GoverniiH'iit might have concentrated the refrigerated tonnage for bringing beef from South America, and if it had done so would have withdrawn n considerable portion of the tonnage engaged in the Australian trade, but refrained in order to maintain the export trade of Australia and New Zealand, though at great inconvenience and cost. As an illustration, beef costs about half the price of cheese, but oan be brought from the River Plate in half the time taken to convey cheese to England from Australia. Therefore >t seems unreasonable that the dairying in dustriis should consider themselves ut<fairly treated, especially as the refrigerated' freight- are very moderate, partiwhen compared with the freights ruling for Australian wheat.

FOR BRAVERY IN THE FIELD

NEW ZEALAXDERS DECORATED. London, Nov. 20. Milit;..',' crosses have been awarded to the following. New ZealandersCaptains Daniel"Eric Brcmner and Hubeit Satchel Hurley. Second-Lieutenants Allan Claude Cooper, Hassell Deforges Garland, Samuel Thomas Seddon, Francis ('live Upton, all infantry; Septimus .Jas. Closev, William Arthur Gray. Wilfred Gordon Harrison Hide Brigade; JackLister Braithwaite, Engineers; Captain Ronald Graeme Orbell, Medicals; Rev. Clement Houchen. chaplain. Distinguished Conduct Medals. —Two Australians and four New- Zealanders. Seven Victoria Crosses have been awarded, notably to Lieutenant Bradlord, of the Durhams, temporary Lieut.Colonel, who assumed command of two battalions and saved the situation when the flank was endangered; and Sergeant Downie, of the Dublins, who. when most of the officers were down, shouted "Come on Dubs." This stirring appeal was immediately responded to, and the men rushed on. Downie captured a maehim-' gun, killing the crew. The Dublins then captured a position which withstood five previous attacks.

OUR MIXISTERS AT HOME. Times Service. London, November 26 Mr. Mai'cy is visiting Londonderry, lie was accorded a civil reception. The directs were thronged. Sir Joseph Ward is visiting Dublin. ADMIRALTY CHANGES. London, Xov. 2,i. Changes that are impending at the Admiralty are likely to be published in a few days.

PEACE AGITATORS I?. WALES. London, Nov. 20. There is some excitement in South Wales regarding the Pacifists' Conference at Merthyr on December !), which is the outcome of the breaking up of the conference at Cardiff. It is stated that the Pacifists have engaged 250 lusty stewards. The Rhondda miners warned Mr. Winstone (the miners' leader), that » Pacifists' meeting would not be tolerated, and aske'd Mr. Stanton (Labor member for Merthyr) to request Mr. Samuel. Home Secretary, to prohibit the proceeding?.

NATIONAL GALLERY PICTURES. London, Nov. 23. A Bill is brVoro Parliament to enable the National Gallery to sell superabundant works in order to obtain funds to purchase masterpieces when offered. It is argued in favor of the Bill that Government grants to public galleries aro likely to be restricted for many years owing to the war. The National Gallery possesses many examples of the best artists of the Dutch schools and there are good opportunities to dispose of superfluous works, as American collectors are paying high prices. Opponents of the Bill declare that private collectors will not bequeath pictures to the nation if the trustees are empowered to sell them.

ENTHUSIASM FOR THE WAR.

THE i'jOVAL INDIANS Delhi, Nov. 2G. 1 lie Viceroy is making a three months' tour of India ami finding everywhere enthusiasm among nil classes to win the war and a certainty of victory. Sections of tiie educated classes are already speculating on aftcr-the-war . changes, urging domestic and political reforms. Onerous gifts from all classes throughout the country continue. The manufacture of munition? and other war material is being steadily pushed forward. The Indian Army is in a highly ell'icient state. Conditions on the norlh-wft frontier are tranquil. AMien the Mahmouds recsntly ga .v trouble a blockade was instituted, and the hostile gathering was easily dispersed by a small body of troops. ■ The late monsoon was good and crop prospects are generally very favorable. The wheat ':rop promises well, but the cotton crop has been somewhat damaged bv the heavy rains. Trade conditions are booming. A FORLORN ENTERPRISE. THE ANTWERP ADVENTURE. London, Nov. 20. Mr. Winston Churchill, in his. concluding article in the Sunday Pictorial, argues that no more important results have been achieved in the piescnt war, by forces so limited and for losses so small, than those rewarding the almost forlorn enterprise to relieve Antwerp. He declares that to the five days thus gained we owe the victory 011 the Yser, saving Dunkirk and Calais. There was no more remarkable example of the flexibility, celerity, and baffling nature of the amphibious power which Britain alone wields, but which she has so blindly undervalued and condemned FOOD CONTROL* London. Nov. 20. The newspapers are complaining of the delay in appointing a food controller.