MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1916, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

1 DESTROYING CONFIDENCE. MISCHIEVOUS RUMORS DENIED.

< Received Nov. 29, 8.40 p.m. London, Nov. 2(1. In the House of Lords, replying to a tumor that Mr. Lloyd George had arbitrarily appointed a civilian (Mr. Eric Gedgea) to Teplace a military officer 1;, atk important position connected with communications in France, Lord Derby denied the charges. The entire Arm;,' Council had the fullest confidence in Sir Douglas Haig, and it was. untrue that friction existed between General Hai<? and any member of the Council. It was Impossible there could bt an equal combination of success, but both Generals Haig and Robertson, were one in the desire that everybody at the War Office „fchou3d assist that combination. Idle .rumors were calculated to do infinite ( harm in helping to destroy confidence. Mr Gedgea' post was a new one, and it 'ied Sir Douglas Haig'i approval.

£MPIRE'S NECESSARIES.

ENCOURAGING PRODUCTION. . \ R«celved Nov. 29, 11.35 p.m. London, Nov. 29. The Unionifct War Committee recommends an increase in Empire production of necessaries, guarafiteeing minimum wheat prices before .peace and after the war, and. a larger extension of the ccreai area in India, Egypt, and the Soudan, and also in the Dominions by negotiation with the latter.

JEARS OF A STRIKE ENDED. •* Received Nov. 29, 5.35 p.nu London, Nov. 28. Tlie South Wales miners conferred With Sir G. R. Askwith (Chief Industrial Comtaissioner), an dit is understood that fears of a strike are ended. UILWAY3 REQUIRED FOR ' MUNITION'S. London, November 23. The Board of Trade emphasises that the heavy and urgent demands for the conveyance of vast quantities of war material on the railways render delay In other traffic inevitable, and urges that no one should travel unless it is really necessary. The Board hints that otherwise the Government may be compelled tc restrict railway travel. JHRISTMAS GIFTS TO NEW ZEALANDERS. London, November 23. jjk Thomas Mackenzie has arranged \ Jit every New Zealand prisoner or MX, whether belonging to an expeditionary force or attached to the British units, will receive a Christmas parcel valued at £l.

Gifts valued at £l2O, including tobacco, will be sent to the crew of the Philomel, £125 to the crew of the New Zealand, and £IOO worth will be sent in the Maori Contingent.

STATE CONTROL OF MINES Received Nov. 29, 10 p.r.i. London, Nov. 29. The Daily Chronicle states that the Board of Trade, in th:ir negotiations with the men's leaders, asked them to define their attitude towards certain proposals, particularly re making the South Wales mining industry a controlled inlustry under the Munitions Act, but ;hey firmly persisted in their demand (or a 15 per cent, wages increase. They declare that the Government's proposals Inferring State control are vague THE FOOD PROBLEM. Received Nov. 30, 1.15 a.m. London, Nov. 20. On behalf of the I'nionht War Committee, Sit Edward Carson has tabled « motion, aiming at increased food production in the Empire.