MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 February 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

THE FOOD PROBLEM. AN APPEAL TO FARMERS. London, Feb. 11. Mr. Prothevo, President of the Board of Agriculture, speaking at Prosion. said that cereals and potatoes should be raided in the biggest possible quantities. Regarding wheat at 00s per quarter, he said that bad he a free band be would tell the farmers that they would receive a maximum of 'itU, leaving the remainder to the play of the market. He said thai he wanted to got the whole Empire in, and the key to this was the farmer in Britain, who should sacrifice some prospects of war profits. India had stcrificrd profits to feed Britain, and Australia had done the same. Thev Imped in lillli that Canada would do likewise, but they were too late as usual, because the farmer was beginnin-, to get high profits at Chicago. A Canadian farmer said to him, "How can you ask us to take less for your sakes in England when the farmers of England are taking every pennv of war prr-Ms? - ' ' Britain should be able to say, '•'Our fanners hav cheerfully accepted the sacrifice of possible nrnfiia: go and do th" same. Let us all be in it and out to win the war." TAXATION OF WEALTH. MR, BONAR LAWS ENQUIRIES. CONCERNING WAR LOAN CONTRIBUTIONS. United Service. Received Feb, 13, 12.M a.m. London, February 12. Mr. Bonar Law has sent special circulars to many of those who art paying the, super-tax, including' the city companies nnd limited companies, asking them, for his own information as Chancellor, how much they are going to subscribe to the war loan. The circular has met with considerable criticism. Some believe that tlie answers may influence the coming Budget, as if the wealthy men largely subscribe to the war loan, the necessity for Jncreased taxation will be lessened. WAR LOAN CAMPAIGN. London, Feb. 11. The war loan campaign throughout the country is vigorous and enthusiastic. The masses, from the poorest upwardo. are responding splendidly. Industrial firms are subscribing largely and helping the workers in every' conceivable way to subscribe portions of their wages. Admiral Reginald Bacon wrote to a war loan meeting at Greenwich: "Don't worry overmuch about -the submarines. The navy will give them all the worry thev want. The splendid pluck of merchorft will upset the German calculations at the end of the war as badly as did the contemptible little army at the beginning." CRIMINAL LAW AMENDMENT. Times Service. London, Feb. 11. The Government is introducing on Monday a Bill to amend the criminal law. It increases the punishment for sexual offences, prohibits indecent advertisements, and makes knowingly communicating venereal diseases a criminal offence. GENERAL ADULT SUFFRAGE. London, Feb. 11. The National Council for Adult Suffrage held a great meeting in Londolr. Whilst welcoming the resolutions, speakers said that the conference was a step in the right direction, and urged the Gmernment to introduce a simple and generous franchise for adults, both men and women. Among those present were Mr. Appleton, secretary of the General Federation of Trades Unions and Labor Adviser to Mr Neville Chamberlain. Mr. Wardle, M.P., and Mr. Williams, of the National Transporters' Federation. Mr. Garvin, editor of the Observer, wrote that he had become a convert since Hie war had shown the progressive strength and vitality of the State was dependent on both sexes. Sir J. Simon agreed, and said he hoped the reform would be carried out in an orderly and constitutional manner, with the view of obtaining the State's acceptance of the principle of womens' suffrage. Once Parliament removed tlie barrier nothing could prevent water finding its level. A resolution was carried that it was essential to include wage-earning women and also wage-earners' wives. DEVELOPMENT OF COTTON GROWING URGED. London, Feb. 11. A deputation of the cotton trade waited on Mr. Roberts, at the Board of Trade, to urge the development of cot-ton-growing in suitable parts of the Empire, and tlie appointment of a departmental committee to consider the matter. Mr Tom Garnett emphasised the cot-ton-growing possibilities of Queensland and South Africa. Mr. Roberts said the time was opportune for a careful survey of the question. An opportunity would possibly be afforded at the coming Imperial Conference to discuss the matter. PROTEST AGAINST~LUXURIES. London, Feb. 11'. There are strong complaints that the West End restaurants, especially the clubs, are not showing efforts to reduce food consumption, and that the menus are virtually unchanged. Newspapers are renewing the discussion in favor of one or even two meatless days weekly. The middle and lower classes are showing a better disposition to observe Lord Dcvonport'a suggestions. There were many pulpit references today urging people to subscribe to the wat loan.