MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 March 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

DOMINIONS COMMISSION REPORT. SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS. Times Service. Received March 10, 0.40 p.m. London. March 13. The Dominions Royal Commission's final report lias been presented. It contains a survey of Empire conditions,'and recommends the appointment of an Imperial Development Hoard under the Imperial Conference's control, to advise con-(inuou-dy upon raw materials, food supplies, the statistics of the Empire, and to devise means for the d'roction of Empire capital towards development works. Numerous other recommendations include increased British control over tho selection of emigrants; "venter efforts on beha'f of the Dominions to secure the immigration of young women, with a view to better sex distribution; especially in country districts; avoiding concentration in cities; emigration of"State children to the Dominions; uniform depths of harbors to be 33 feet on the Suez route to Australia, 34 feet; on the Canadian route to Australia, and 38 feat on the Cape route; new high speed mail services, with vessels of meat length and draught, also the development of the route to Australasia via Halifax, Bermuda, Jamaica. Panama, and Tahiti the control of freight rates on subsidised lines by Government boards; the extension of the Dominions' inspection of unloading and marketing produce ,in Britain; Government control of the cablesGovernment acquisition of the Atlantic cable; one-third reduction in cable charges to Australasia, rnd a considerable reduction in press rates, in view of the vital dissemination of full Imperial news, widely and cheaply; decimal coinage and metric system; uniform patents and trade marks, and companies legislation. °

PRISONERS IN GERMANY. POSITION HELPED BV PARCELS SENT. DETAILS OF SUPPLEMENTARY CREDIT VOIE. Received March 10, 5.10 p.m. London, March 15. In the House of Commons, Major Hope said the British prisoners in Germany would be in a serious position without parcels from Britain. Reprisals would only establish a policy for which the enemy was better adapted, temperamentally and traditionally, than outselves. He believed that' the majority Pf the parcels readied their destination. Mr. Bonar Law, in introducing a ••uppleinentaiv credit of sixty-four mjJlions £ii .d he was disagreeably surprised to' hnd the last credit would not suffice for the financial yo !lr , and that it was now necessary to find eighteen millions for Australian wheat, and twentv-tbree millions for advances to the Allies and minions. It had been understood that payments to Australia would be unnecessary during the current financial year i he balance would comprise two amounts which it was inadvisable to state separately. One consisted of additional munitions expenditure, which really should be a source of satisfaction, because it was due to a more prompt delivery of supplies, and the last item consisted of Shipping Controller's payment, for increasing the supply of merchant ships which they were obtaining more rapidly than was expected. Mr. McKenna asked how much of the £2 010,000,000 spent on munitions represented assets realisable after the war.

A NEW DISTINCTION. m . „ London, March 15. • t , Council is considering the introduction of a distinguishing mark for soldiers who have served long periods in the firing line. SEDUCING THE HOP ACREAGE. _ London, March 13. The Press Bureau says that Mr. irothero has circularised hop growers recommending a reduction of half their acreage, which will be sufficient for a years brewing, and that they should substitute potatoes and vegetables. THE DARDANELLES REPORT. T ~ Tr London, March 15. In the House of Commons, Iff. lionar Law announced that Mr. Asquith will make a statement on the Dardanelles refort on the 20th. A small Government committee, including Mr. Asquith, is considering the excised portions of the jeport with a view to their publication. INCREASE IN EXPORTS. . ■ London, March 15. ■the increase in exports in February wis £951,704 and imports £3,812 322 compared with February last year.