ARMING OF MERCHANTMEN.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 March 1917, Page 5

ARMING OF MERCHANTMEN.

house grants necessary power. the zimmerman note. not heard .<£! in mexico. Received March 3, 12.45 a.m. Washington, Mare/ •? A Bill to empower the President ij arm lnercliautmeiit, but not aulh<r : * !, $ him to use other instrumentalities, has been passed by the House. Mr. Lansing believes that the Zimmerman note never reached President Onrrnnza. The German Minister at Mexic City told the Associated Press t|;v<; |* had never heard of the Zimmerman nit'ter before it was published in the newspapers.

MOTHER COUNTRY. THE NATIONAL ARMY. BREAKING DOWN ARTIFICIAL BARRIERS. HIGHER COMMANDS OPEN TO MERIT. • Received MarVi 2, 2.35 p.m. London, March 1. It is .announced that the committee of which Mr Winston Churchill is ichairman) appointed at the instance of ;Lord Derby to enquire into the, question of the opportunities afforded territorials in the new armies for promotion, dias assured Lord Derby that everything is done to give Territorials a chance to [reach the higher commands. Lord Derby is anxious to break down all artificial distinctions in the national army. IMPERIAL UNION. London, March 1. Lord Sumner, of Ibstone, delivering the Rhodes lecture in London, said that union should come from the Dominions. It would not be wise of the Home Government to use pressure to induce such union beyond the desires of the elements concerned. He dwelt on the desirability of regular Imperial Conferences. COMPULSORY RATIONING SCHEME. London, March 1. In the House of Commons Mr. Bathurst said that a scheme of compulsory rationing had been outlined and would be put into operation if necessary. STATE AID TO AGRICULTURE. London, March 1. The House of Lords discussed a mo tion in favor of State aid to agriculture by guaranteed minimum prices. Lord Crewe said he could not support the suggestion to make England permanently a wheat-growing country on a large scale. Lord Ribblesdale similarly doubted the wisdom of the policy. Lord Lincolnshire eulogised the Government's drastic proposals to meet the present emergency. The old patriarchal policy, which some declared to be the country's glory, others considered a great handicap to agriculture. It had disappeared for ever, for weal or woe. Lord Derby resented the insinuation that the only idea of the War Office was to get men regardless of industry. He added that he did not believe the submarine campaign would succeed, but it was not to be underestimated. He would try to meet the needs of agriculture while getting men for the army. ~ Lord Crawford, spei'.king on behalf of the Government, said the Government's agricultural policy was a national policy designed to promote the security of the State, and, as a necessary incident, to give security to the agricultural industry. /The present policy was not merely an emergency one, but intended as the basis for a great agricultural policy in the future.AN AVIATOR'S ACCIDENT. London, March 2. Received March 2, 8.20 p.m. While aeroplaning at Dorking, Capfain Brandon struck a tree in a heavy ''ng, and fell, sustaining a severe fracture of the leg. DARDANELLES REPORT London, Mnreh 1. Tn the House of Commons. Mr. Bonar Law announced that the Dardanelles report would be published next week. SOME MATTERS OMITTED. Received March 2, 5.5 p.m. London, March 1. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law said that some matters affecting foreign relations would be omitted from the Dardanelles report, but the Government was sending a. complete report to the leaders of the various parties of the 1 House. He added that the omissions were made at the request of some of the Governments concerned. ■ CRICKET CONFERENCE. i London, March 1. At the cricket conference Warner ' urged that immediately after the war 1 they should endeavor to secure a visit from an Australian team. > newspape¥prices. London, March 1. The Manchester Guardian and Daily . Dispatch have doubled their prices. The Daily News and Chronicle have decided to remain halfpenny papers.