MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

EMPIRE CABINET COUNCIL. A LENGTHY SITTING EXPECTED, j SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION. fioceivcd Jan. IS 5.5 p.m. Lo:idon, Jan. 1". In the course of an authoritative interview, it was stated that the Cabinet dislikes the phrase, 'lmperial Conference,'' because it is misleading. The real intenfioi) is to incorporate the Dominions' lepresentatives it. the Cabinet, with full conditions of temporary membership foi the purpose, of discussing peace terms, after-the-war finance, emigration. demobilisation, trade, and all questions connected with the conduct of the war except or purely local matters such as recruiting in Britain and elsewhere, local loan and domestic concerns Mr Ilorjen. Premier of Canada, has notilled he is unable to come until the middle of March. Cabinet will probably agree to the inaugural date being fixed for late in March, i.istead of early, so. that all the representatives may be pr<» sent. It will Ue a prolonged meetinglj possibly extending over the month on May. It is es-eiitiai not to attempt to influence the Dominions' „ar work, but it is felt that theii vast -cale of voluntary sacrifices entitled (hern to share in shaping future policies. This mere act of equity, apart from iti binding eflect, lias reinvigorated the Empire. NEW ZEAI AND REPRESENTATIVES By Telegraph.—Press association. Wellington, Last Sight. Mr. Masaey will certainly attend the .".>1 ihooniing Imperial Conference, said the Hon. J Aden to day, adding that as the Premiers huve been invited to bring colleague with r'nem. who may attend liv? meetings, bv.t nafc rote. Sir Joseph Ward may also stay for the Conference. THE FOOD PROBLEM. AN APPEAL TO FAR.UEI?.?. Received Jan. 18, 7.5 p.m. London, Jan. 17 Mr. P.. ]■'. Prothoro (Minister of Agriculture), i,i n speech at Bedford, said that the Government was aware that high prices stimulated production, but weigned unduly on 'the poorest classes. He, therefore, asked the farmers, before tht. seed wa-:. sown, to produce crops at a, fixed price.. Tin farmers cuiiM then say to the whole Empire: "We are all in it; give us n reasonable profit!" The Government wanted bread to be as cheap iud plentiful aa possible. LARGE SUBSCRIPTION'S. Retched Jan. IS, 7 5 p.m. London, Jan. 17. T-urnoss. Withy Company havj sub"ciibcd 1,000,000 ot new money to the \wir Loan, -in;l the Royal - Insurance Company has subscribed £3,000,000, the bulk of which is new money, and the London County Council £?jSOU,OOO, all lif'W. The Phoenix, Royal, and Standard Insurance offices are each applying for thice millions of the wi.r loan." ° SUGGESTED SHOPPING AND ELECTORAL REFORMS. London, Jan. 17. Ino Government proposes chopping changes, including the suspension of window dressing, and tradesmen's calls. Customers will have to carry home purchases up to 141b. The Daily Chronicle says that the conference of Peers and members of the house of Commons under the chairmanship of the Speaker has concluded its investigations into electoral reform It makes recommendations on the following lines:—The qualifying period for tli» parliamentary vote to be reduced to six months, • soldiers md sailors to retain their vote despite the loss of household qualification; all elections to je held on one day, the returning officers' expenses to be paid from the public funds; plural voting to be abolished, but a man will be qualified to vote in two constituencies if he Tesides in one ptlace and has his business place in another; univor- j sity representation to bo retained and extended to bring in the new universities; re-distribution for Great Britain to be based on one vote one value, the Irish over-representation having already been solved by the Home-Rule Act; proportional representation to be adopted to ensure that the House of Commons shall be a more exact mirror of national feeling; certain constituencies to be grouped together to prevent the obliteration of Conservative voters in Wales and Liberal voters in tht Home Counties The committee failed to reach an agreement on women's suffrage. The Red Cross Fund exceeds six mii- | lion sterling. j A. VIGOROUS -OMBINQ OUT j London, ,/jn. IT. The War Office has issued a series of orders as a prelude to more resolute combing out. One requires jinployers to supply monthly lists of their employees between 18 and 42, including casuals, also a return of women and men outside the age_ limits, to enable the Wa. Office to judge how far the system of substitution has been utilised. Another order requires half the young and fit single men under 2(i employed in agriculture to join the colors immediately. I It is estimated that the order rill affect CO,OOO men. It is believed that agriculture is over-staffed in some districts and understaffed in others. A number of class C. 3 men will be handed over to fanners to replace fit youths, j INACCURATE REPORTS, Received Jan. IS 5.5 p.m. London, lan. 37. The Press Bureau states that the reports as to the recommendations made at the Speakers' Conference on electoral reform are inaccurate.