MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 March 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

PERSONNEL OF WAR COUNCIL. ONLY PRIME MINISTKIT. Received Jlarcj 13, 5.5 p.m. ' London, March ] \ Owing to some doubts as to tlie personnel of the forthcoming War Council, inquiries show that meetings: are likely to be confined to Prime Ministers, with the exception of the New Zealand delegates, who will attend Cabinets as re- • presenting distinct parties in the Dominion. All the overseas representatives, including Indians, will attend an Imperial Conference, wnich will be distinct Irani the old Imperial Conference. t IRISH AFFAIRS. IHE, PREFERENCE QUESTION. ■Received March 13, 6.5 p.n. \ London, March 12. The amendment o£- Mr J, P. Farrell to exclude Ireland from the National Service Bill was defeated by LSS to 76. Mr R. Hazleton (NationalJst) moved that there should be a separate Director-General for Ireland. ■Mr H. E. Duke (Chief Secretary for Ireland) said Mr Chamberlain had agreed *o delegate this work to the representative, who was entitled to the technical status of Representative Director of National Service in Ireland. Replying to questions, Mr. Austen Chamberlain (Chief Secretary-for India) aaid it was not intended to grant preference to British or Dominions cotton manufacturers in India as compared with our allies. The aim was to secure rerenue for war purposes. He had the 'Paris resolutions in his mind when the duty was framed, but they could not be ' upplied until tbe Imperial fiscal policy ,iAS considered after the war. " DARDANELLES REPORT. • THE EVIDENCE AND EXCISIONS. London, March 12. JMr. Bonar Law, replying to Mr. As- ' quith, said the Dardanelles Commissioners did not recommend the' publication of the evidence, because it contained portions dealing with military and n»val considerations and the Government's relations with the Allies. The evidence. ' . therefore, could not be published without detriment to the public interest. In ihe circumstances the Government was Sot prepared to order the publication. A member asked whether it was wise -to iasjie the report. Mr. Bonar Law: The Government was bound by the Act creating the Coramis; aion. Mr. Churchill asked who was responsibly for the excisions. Mr. Bonar Law said they were made at tbe request of the Foreign Oifiee, Wai Office, and Admiralty, but the Cabinet was finally responsible. Mr. Billing asked if the name of a Minister or ex-Minister appeared in the excisions. Mr. Bonar Law: I cannot answer such Questions. SfiOmBITIOJJ OF IMPORTED HOPS URGED. London, March 12. Herefordshire and Worcestershire hopgrowers have resolved to ask the Government to prohibit tbe importation of bops. If it was decided to impose a duty it should be not less than !ld per lb on any imported by license. They suggest the. enforced redubtion of aver-, •go by BO per cent.