MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 March 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

GOVERNMENT CONTROL OF MEATREMARKS BY MR. MASSEY. SIR JOSEPH WARD AND THE WAR LOAN. fieceived March 1, 7 p.m. London, February 28. The Butchers' Guild entertained Mr. Maasey, Sir Joseph Ward and Sir Thos. Mackenzie to luncheon. Mr. Massey said that the New Zealand Government had paid £14,000,000, on 'behalf of the British Government, for meat purchased. He referred to the fact that the Argentine was enabled to sell meat uncontrolled, while meat from within the Empire was sold subject to Imperial Government control. More satisfactory arrangements had now been made, which would last to the conclusion of the war. While New Zealand producers were entitled to a fair price, he did not intend to take advantage of the war so as to secure extreme rates. New Zealand was well able to increase hei output in a few years if properly encouraged. The Empire's policy should be to procure its supplies from within its own boundaries. The Lord Mayor paid a tribute to Sir Joseph Ward's efforts during the war loan campaign. Sir Joseph Ward, referring to the splendid results, said he was satisfied that if the country kept clear of party politics it was bound to emerge victorious.

NEW SCALE OF PENSIONS. ESTIMATED AT £25,000,000. Received March 1, 5.30 pm. London, February 23. The new pensions for disabled soldiers and sailors and the dependent? of those killed, allows privates disabled in the highest degree, such as lunacy, the loss ; of two limbs or a limb and an eye, or iboth eyes, 27s 6d weekly, with allowances for children. The pension covers many degrees, the lowTst being os 6d, tor two fingers.. An important provision takes account of the pre-war standard of living, and pensions for that purpose may reach an inclusive maximum of 7os. Widows, generally, receive half of the highest disablement scale and full children's allowances. Provision is also made for gratuities, the maximum being £2OO for minor injuries instead of a - pension. The cost for the year 191S--1919 is estimated at £25,000,000.

RECRUITING FRAUDS. CULPRITS SENTENCED. Received Marsh 1, 5.30 p.m. London, March 28. In the White City recruiting case (cabled on November 30), Dr. Caley and John Mitchell were sentenced to "eighteen months' imprisonment. Brinkman to , twelve, and Dr. Dow to nine> months, fiheppard was acquitted. £REE TRADE CONFERENCE. London, Feb. 2S. lord Beauchamp presided at a conference of 70 members of the Houses ot Commons and Lords, representing the Parliamentary Free Trade Committee. Those present included McKenna and Kunciman. They discussed the Imperial Preference report. Ministers did not favor immediate action, but advised free traders not to force the House of Commons to discuss the report, Mr Runciman saying that events, not words, would settle matters. Mr Lough though that the free trade ease had been partly given away by the protective steps already taken. Sir T. P. Whittaker urged the preparation of counter proposals, because a segative proposal was hopeless. The conference decided to await event*. NATIONAL SERVICE. London, Feb. 28. 1 In the House of Commons debute on he National Service Bill many memers urged the necessity of an amendnent clearly preventing the application under the Act. The Government submitted an amendment in this sense, which was finally adovted. It prevents compulsory service, and prevents the transfer of labor from one industry to another by Order-in-Couneil or under fb* Defence of the Realm Act. , J}i* Bonae pf Commons refused to ~jn$ < the scheme. the committee