THE WAR CABINET.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 March 1917, Page 5

THE WAR CABINET.

OVERSEAS DELEGATES ATTEND. A FULL SESSION FIXED. AUSTRALIA OUT IN THE COLD. Received March G, 10.35 p.m. London, March 7. The Canadian and New Zealand delegates attended a two hours' sitting of the War Cabinet, Mr. Lloyd George presiding. It is understood that Mr Walter Long (Colonial Secretary) will preside at any outside conferences of the overseas delegates. Now that it is certain that Mr Hughes and otheife are not coming as expected, the special War Cabinet will hold its first full session on Monday week.

THE PENSIONS BOARD, PRINCE OF WALES' SERVICES EULOGISED. Router Service Received March 7, 5.40 p.m. , London, March 6. In the. House of Commons, Mr. JSonar Law announced that the Prince of Wales iiad resigned the chairmanship of the Pensions Committee, which Mr, Geo. Barnes, Minister of Pensions, now eontrolled. He paid a tribute to the zeal displayed by the Prince of Wales for the welfare of the soldiers and sailors, giving great promise of the part that he would play in public affairs with increasing years.

Mr. Asquith associated himself with this tribute.

INCREASED PENSIONS. Received March 7, 0.40 p.m. London, March fi. Mr Barnes, Minister of Pensions, said that a new Royal warrant proposed a flat rate for pensions ranging from 27/to 75/- weekly, according to circumstances, and irrespective of a man's earning capacity. He denied that Britain was behind the other belligerents in the treatment of its disabled men. There were 300.000 women who now receive an increased pension. NEW ZEALAND CHEESE. QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT. . THE PRICE HANDICAPPED. MINISTER'S EXPLANATION. Received March 7, 8.40 p.m. London, March fi. Tn the House of Commons, Mr Will Thome (Labor) asked whether the Government was paying 9'/ad per pound for New Zealand cheese, although the Dairy Association in August had offered the entire output at B%d, which offer the Governnjent had refused; and whether the Government was aware that the difference represents a loss of £350,000, and, as 'a consequence, Canadian cheese had risen to 156/- and English to 100/-, while the price of New Zealand cheese was 102/-; also whether he intends to take action, because Canadian and English manufacturers were getting £SO per ton more than New Zealand. Mr 6. Roberts, Parliamentary Secretary of the Board of Trade, replied that the facta were generally as stated. The price asked in August was so much in excess of that in 1915 that the War Office had not felt justified in accepting it without further negotiations. The purchase of colonial cheese for the army and civilians was now in the hands of the Boa T d of Trade, which was now dealing with the matter in collaboration with the colonial governments. The Board of Trade hoped that its action would substantially reduce the prices, which were mainly due to the small quantjties on the market.

LABOR AND THE IRISH QUESTION. Received March 7, 5.40 p.m. London, March C. The executive of the Labor Party passed a resolution urging that united effort ought to be made in the settlemerit of the Irish question in the interests of both countries. <^- DARDANELLES REPORT. Receibed Marcli 7, 10.50 p.m. London, Marcli 7. The Dardanelles report will be issued on Thursday. Received March 8, 12.57 a.m. London, Marcli 7. Sir C. Hobhouse, Sir R. W. Essex and others have tabled notices of motion in the House of Commons asking thut the Dardanelles report should be presented to Parliament as required by law, and should be accessible to all members of Parliament. OVERSEAS OFFICERS' CLUB OPENED. Received March 7, 10.50 p.m. London, Marcli 7. The Duke of Connaught opened the Royal Overseas Officers' Club. The premises were taken over from the Automobile Club. Sir Joseph Ward, Sir T. JY'/ickenzie, and the Agents-General were present. PROTEST AGAINST DUTY. Received March 8, 12.50 a.m. London, March 7. The Lancashire cotton trade unions, representing 400,000 workers, decided to protest against the cotton duty and to send a deputation to Mr. Austen Chamberlain (Secretary for India). The leading employers' associations have decided to do likewise, and speeches have been made complaining of the raising of the fiscal question. Lancashire members of the House of Commons have called a meeting to discuss the matter, and have given notice of asking many questions | in the House,