MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 March 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

THE BAGDAD VICTORY. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE KING. ANOTHER STAGE ON ROAD TO yiCTORY. A. & -N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. Received March 15, 8.30 p.m. London, March 14. The Prtss Bureau states that the King, in acknowledging the congratulations frctri Allied sovereigns and heads [if Stat J, on the capture of Bagdad; expresses lis confident belief in success and Bays the capture advances the Allies another stage on the sure road to victory. INDIA'S WAR CONTRIBUTION. THE COTTON DUTIES Received March 15, 8.30 p m. T" London, March 14. The House of Commons debated a resolution authorising the acceptance of India's war contribution of a hundred million sterling, and a Lancastrian amendment otfering to increase the cotton duties. Mr. Asquith moved another amendment: "That the increase be reconsidered ifter the war, in connection with the fiscal relationships of the Empire." _ Mr. Lloyd George accepted Mr. Asquith's funendment. THE COTTON BILL. , Received March 15, 10 p.m^ London, March 15. The House of Lords debated the Cotton Bill. Lord Beauchamp withdrew a hostile amendment after Lord Curzon assured him the question would bo reviewed after the war. Received March 15, 10 p.m. London, March 15. In'the House of Commons Mr Asquith's amendment was unanimously adopted, after the Lancashire amendment had been rejected by 265 to 125. DARDANELLES REPORT. TO BE discussed: Received March 15, 10 *p.m. London, March 15. Replying to Mr. Asquith, Mr. Bonar Law said he would give facility for a statement as to the Dardanelles report, and he suggested Monday or Tuesday. He also suggested it would be convenient to make the statement on the motion for adjournment, so as to enable a debate to follow. Mr. Lambert asked whether the House could be given the purport of the excisions from the report without public detriment. Mr. Bonar Law thought that all possible information should be given. A email Cabinet Committee might be appointed for the purpose, and lie would ask Mr. Asquith to assist the committee, who would be glad of his help. SETTLING THE IRISH QUESTION. Received March 15, 10.15 p.m. t London. March 15. The Labor Party passed a resolution urging the Government to again endeavor to settle the Irish question direct. THE LIQUOR PROBLEM.' ''.EDUCTION OF CONSUMPTION. London, March 14. The Government and the brewing in- " dustry have held a number of conferences to discuss the best manner to make ten million barrels of beer suffice for the year. It is ej pec ted that an agreement- will be reached regarding tho reduction. It is probable that 30,000 public-hopses will be closed during the next few months. There is an undue number of public-houses in' rural districts. It is expected that an arrange- ( ment will be made by which a sin™le firm will supply the beer in each district, reducing transport and labor. DEMANDS OF SHIPPING}. London, March 14. 1 llio Shipping Controller, with his vast shipbuilding programme being speeded up,, is requiring Unexpectedly 'ar«e ■ «f noney, hence Mr. Bonar mtlliong to wind

UNITY OF EMPIRE.

SPECIAL IMPERIAL COUNCIL, . London, March 14. Lord Milner, presiding at a luncheon to Sir Edward Morris, Premier of Newfoundland, said the guiding principle of the new era of construction after the war was the promotion of a careful and systematic study of the Empire's productive capacities, also the co-oidination of its industries, with the view of making the Empire independent- and sufficient as regards its vital and Lasic industries. The Empire was quite capable of this. The special War Council of the Empire was an event of great immediate importance so far as the conduct of the war was concerned, but had greater significance with regard to future Imperial Conferences. The overseas Ministers would attend Cabinets entirely devoted to war problems ana problems arising out of the war. He hoped and. believed the time would come when the supreme direction of Imperial affairs would be vested in ah authority directly responsible to the constituent portions of the Empire. DOMINIONS' COUNSEL WELCOMED. i Received March 15, 8.20 pm. London, March 14. Lord Milner'. further said that the special War Cabinets provided for the time being something resembling an Executive Council of Empire, capable oi making decisions, affecting the course of the war. They wanted the Dominions to share in the deliberations as to the conduct of the war, in addition to bearing a share of the war burdens. They desired to benefit by their counsel, and wished to give their views and wishes that weight to which they were entitled. ■ Speaking in the House of Comfnona, Mr. Bonar Law said the representatives at the Imperial Conference would be able to bring up any subject for drscussion. The exact date had not yet been fixed, but it would be very soon. THE FOOD EMERGENCY. SUNDAY WORK ON THE LAND. JUSTIFIED BY THE PRIMATE. A. & K.Z. Cable Association & Reuter. Received March 16, 12.50 a.m. London, March 15. The 'Press Bureau states that Mr Prothero (Minister for Agriculture) asked the Archbishop of Canterbury's opinion ■ on Sunday field work during the next few weeks, in view of the importance of next harvest. The Archbishop of Canterbury replied that he desired to safeguard Sunday to the utmost, but in ffiew of the nation's present food emergency he did not hesitate to say that the Gospel allows men and women to work in the fields on Sunday with a clear conscience under the circumstances. PURCHASE OF WOOL. London, March 14. Mr. Forster informed a wool deputation that the War Oflice ar.d Board of Trade intended to pursue tiny general policy which the Government had laid down. DOMINION'S PART. ANZAC DAY FIXED. REDUCTION OF RACING. a .. ak. ~ = Dunedin, March 15. The Government has decided to observe Anzac Day on Monday, April 23, so as not to conflict with the municipal elections. The racing and trotting conferences will not meet till the usual date. The Minister for Interna! Affairs says oithei the Government will submit a scheme to the conferences for the reduction of raciug during the war, or the conferences will submit a scheme to the Government. The Government is aware that there is a strong feeling throughout the country, even among racing men themselves, that it is incongruous to have racing going on as usual whilst in the war men are risking and losing their lives in battle.