MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 May 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

CONSOLIDATING THE EMPIRE. ORGANISING CONCERTED ACTION. FOR WAR -AND PEACE. DEVELOPING EMPIRE'S LATENT RESOURCES. FULLER i RECOGNITION OP INDIA. IMPERIAL WAR CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS. A. & N.Z. Cable Association and Reutor. Received May 3, 10 pan. London, May 3. The Colonial Secretary has issued a statement respecting the work (if the Imperial War Conference, which is now approaching its end, together ■with some resolutions. 'He states that some of the matters aro of the most confidential character at present, so that the publication of the resolutions and the debates connected therewith will probably be impossible till after the war. The records of il'o Conference show that the dccisio:'. wore unanimous in respect of the resolutions now published. On no occasion vp,3 it necessary to divide upon or withdraw a motion because an agreement was unreachable. The resolutions recommend the appointment at the earliest possible moment of an expert committee, representing the United Kingdom, the Dominions,' and India military authorities, to consider the various patterns of military stores and equipment in use, with a view to selecting standard patterns, and their general adoption, as far as the special circumstances of each country will permit. DEFENSIVE MEASURES. That the Ordnance personnel of the Empire military organisations 'be trained to adopt the same methods and principles, and that those engaged in Ordnance work from all parts of the Empire should he attached! for adequate ■periods to the Imperial Ordnance Department) That the Admiralty he requetsed to work out, immediately after the war, the most effective scheme for Empire naval defence, for consideration ty the Governments summoned to a conference, with the Admiralty's recommendations regarding the Empire's future security. The Conference welcomed the increase of the number of trade commissioners, and recommended the Governments concerned to co-operate in assisting the service, especially for the promotion of inter-Imperial trade. RECOGNITION OF INDIA.The Conference records that the view expressed in the 1907 Imperial Conference resolution be modified so as to permit the full representation of India at all future Imperial Conferences, and that the assent to this proposal 'by the various Governments should be obtained. The Conference prays the King to constitute by Royal charter an Imperial War Graves Commission on the lines proposed -by the -Prince of Wales to the Prime Minister. The Conference also records its deepest appreciation of the 'French Government's generosity in alloting in perpetuity the land where our men, are turied, and urges that similar arrangements foe made in the peace terms with all the Ally, enemy, and neutral governments in Gal'lipoli, Mesopotamia, Africa, and elsewhere. CONISTIHUTIONiAL RELATIONS. The Conference is of opinion tljat a readjustment of the constitutional relations. 'between the component parts of the Empire is a too-important and intricate subject to deal with during the war and should be discussed at a special Imperial Conference immediately after the war. The Conference records that such readjustment, while thoroughly preserving all the existing powefs of self-gov-ernment and complete control of domestic affairs, should he based! upon the full recognition of .the Dominions as autonomous nations of the Imperial Commonwealth, and India, as an important portion thereof, and should recognise the right of the Dominions and India to an adequate voice in the foreign policy and foreign relations, and should provide effective arrangements for continuous consultation on ail important matters of common Imperial interests, and! such concerted action should ho founded on consultation as the several Governments! determine. The Conference recogniess the importance of securing uniformity in the Empire policy and action in regard to naturalisation, and commends the proposals submitted by the Home Office to the overseas Governments. DEVELOPING MINERAL RESOURCES. The Conference! recommends that steps should not be delayed' in the steps establishing in London of an Imperial mineral resources bureau, whereon the whole Empire should ho represented, Those duties should include advising how mineral resources may he developed and made available to meet the Empire's metal requirements. In view of the war experience, the' Conference calls attention to the importance of developing to an adequate capacity of the production, naval and! military material and munitions supplies in all important parts of the Empirt\, ineluding countries bordering on the Pacific and Indians Oceans, where such facilities do not at present exist The Conference affirms the importance of close co-operation between India, the Dominions, and the United Kingdom, and with this objeet urges that the present system of double income taxation within" the Empire ho taiken in hand immediately after the war, and the law amended* regarding its present unsatisfactory position. CONCERTED ACTION. In view of the war experience, the Conference recordß that, for the safety of the Empire, it is necessary that the development of the component parti will require prompt and attentive consideraion and cowrrted action, in regard; to: — (1) The production of adequate lood .supply, arrangements foe tjjansparta-"tlp'-'sfrwfcfpl fljjwg wjta.

any conditions that can reasonably he ' anticipaJblc. (2) Control of the natural resources available within the Umpire, especially those of an essential character for necessary national purposes), whether for peace or war. (3) The economical utilisation of such natural resources ttlirough manufacturing processes conducted within tho Empire, and it commends the Governments concerned to consider the enactment of legislation in that direction. IMPERIAL PREFERENCE. After expressing the view that the time Ims arrived when all possible encouragement should be given to the development of Imperial, resources, especially in making the Empire independent of other countries in respect of food supplies and raw materials for essential industries, the Conference favors, firstly, the principle that each part of the Empire,' having due regard to the interests of the Allies, shall give specially favorable treatment and facilities to the produce and manufactures of oilier parts of the Empire; secondly, arrangements whereby intending immigrants from the United Kingdom may he inducedi to settle in countries under the British flag •POSITION OF INDIANS. The conference, having examined the memorandum on the position of the 'lndians in the self-governing Dominions, presented! by the Indian representatives, accepts the principle of reciprocity treatment, and recommends the memorandum for the favorable consideration of ■ the Governments concerned. POLICY OF REPRISALS. DEFENDED BY THE GOVERNMENT. Received May 3, KH^.m. London, May 3. In the House of Lords, the Archbishop of Canterbury strongly protested: against the policy of reprisals, including the air attack unon the German town of Freiburg. The country was prepared to prosecute the war with all its power, and make every sacrifice, hut it meant to emerge from the war with untainted honor and clean hands. Lord 'Buck-master, the (Bishop of Winchester, Lords Selbonrne, Lorehurn, and Panmoore disapproved of reprisals, on the ground of the danger that we would Sink to the level of the Germans. Lord Curzon justified the Governaction. The Germans were peculiarly open to this argument, and squealed like' babies under reprisals. Thero was some evidence that it had a salutary effect. Only one hospital ship had 1 been attacked since Freiburg was bombed; ■ {JS-Jp j The subject was then dropped.

IMPERIAL' CONFERENCE.

IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS. London, May 2. The resolutions passed by the Imperial Conference will be published shortly, it is understood that they mark a striking advance in the development of the Imperial System, declaring for a new and far-reaching Imperial econojmic policy which aims at the ideal of a self-sup-porting Empire. The resolutions'include the conservation of the natural resources of the Empire, independence of foreign supplies, of food and raw material, and also of foreign shipping. TOE IRISH SITUATION. THE OUTLOOK GLOOMY. United Service. London, May 2. The JJaily News' lobby correspondent says the Irish situation is gloomy. The Ulster extremists are victorious and have secured Mr. Lloyd George's support. Even the War Cabinet has agreed to a clean cut between Ulster and the rest of Ire'land. PROFITS TAXATION. London, May 2. Mr. Bonar Law delivered the Budget statement. No new taxes are proposed, the only increases being tobacco, which is increased 22d per lb. and in the excess profits tax, wliiqh is increased to 50 per cent. Entertainments Will yield another 1J millions. COORDINATION OF EMPIRE HARBORS. Reuter. London, May 2. In the House of Commons Mr. Walter Long stated it was most unlikely that action was possible during the war respecting the Dominions' commission recommendation in regard to the co-ordina-tion of Empire harbors. BURMAH PEAS AND BEANS COMMANDEERED. A. and N.Z. Cable Assn. and Reuter. London, May 1. The Press Bureau states that Cord Devonport (Food Controller) has commandeored 60,000 tons of Burmah peas and beans at £37 per ton The market price has heretofore been £BO per ton. The retail price of beans haß been fixed at sixpence as compared with a shilling previously. •NATIONAL RATIONING SCHEME. London, May 2. Captain Bath'urst, in the House of Commons, stated that a national rationing scheme was impending. FOOD RESTRICTIONS. A. N.Z. Cable 'Association and Reuter. feeceived May 3, 7.15 p.m. London, May 2, The Press Bureau states that Lord Devonport (Food Controller) restricts the use of maize, Tia/rley, and! oats to seed or for human and animal food, and tapioca, sago, manioc, human food. ~ . ;

BRITISH BUDGET. j

WAR EXPENDITURE TOTALS £4,318,000,000. ■1137 'MILLIONS OUT OF REVENUE/. NO WANT OF MONEY*. AMERICA'S PROMISED HELP. Received May 3, o:2J p.m. 'London, May 2. Tn the House of Cominona. Mr Bonar Law, in delivering his Budget speech, said that during tlie war £822,000,000 had been advanced to the Allies, and £142,000,'000 advanced to the Dominions. It is satisfactory to kiuw ihat the Dominions were able to lind so much from their own resources that there would be no increasing strain on the British Exchequer on their account. The United States had promised to financially assist the Allies. In examining tiie national balance-sliest, in view of peace conditions, the excess profits and non-recurring revenue must he deducted, making, a net revenue of £4118,000,000. The national debt was now £3,854,000,000, less the amounts advanced to the Allies and Dominions. Thus far £4,318,000,000 had been spent on the war, whereof £1,137/000,000 came out of revenue. No other belligerent could present such satisfactory figures. It. was estimated that the expenditure for the coming year would be £2,200,000,000, including "advances to the Allies (£400,000,000), but this amount was doubtful owing to the United States' entry into the war. The daily expenditure waa thus £ 6,275,000. as compared with £8,022,000 last year. The tobacco duty would bring in an extra million (?), and new taxation would bring in £00,000,000. Mr Bonnr Law concluded: "It is certain that the want of money will not prevent our victory. We shall he able to go on longer than the enemy." The Budget resolutions were adopted. SOME ASTOUNDING FIGURES. COUNTRY CAN BEAR THE ■BORDEN. Received! May 3, 0.55 p.m. London, May 2. There has been little excitement over the Budget, it being an open secret that the changes were unimportant. Mr Bonar Law's gigantie figures are not a subject for rejoicing, "but there is ground for thankfulness that we are able to bear the financial strain of the greatest act of madness and the greatest crime in the world's history. The receipts exceeded the estimates by £71,153,000, whereof the income tax super-tax accounted for £10,033,000; excess profits (including tho munitions levy), £63,920,000; tho revenue from all sources being £673,428,000. The expenditure amounted to £219,588,113,000. The excise and customs have fallen £9,009,000, owing to restrictions of shipping. There was an excess of expenditure of £342,0001,090 over Mr MclCenna's estimate, due to the increase of munitions and advances to ,tho Allies and Dominions. FOOD ECONOMY EXHORTED. PiROQLAMATION BY THE KING. ! ; Reuter Service. !■■] 1 ■ [Received 'May 3, 10 p.m. London, A proclamation, signed 3>y ' ' was read from the! steps of-- ti! ' Exchange, urging the greatest*err"i<"fl.y in the use of all kinds of gtain. tlousa. holders should! reduce the consumption of bread by at least a quarter and not use flour except for bread. The proclamation also enjoins the most ecpnomical use of corn for horses. He was not asking the people to do what he was not doing himself, for the Royal Household had been strictly rationed since February. The proclamation will be read from the pulpits of the churches upon four successive Sundays. DOUBLE INCOME TAX. Received May 3, S p.m. liondon, May 2. Mr H. Page Croft protested against the intolerable grievances of the Dominions regarding the double income tax, still unredressed. Mr Stanley Baldwin said the Government recognised the hardship of the double income tax., and it would be con" sidered after the war,