MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 August 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

[THE SOCIALIST CONFERENCE. A SENSIBLE MOTION DEFEATED. [ j j Reuter Service. Received Aug. 30, 5.5 p.m. London, Aug. 29. The Allied Socialist Conference defeated by s't to 4 a motion not to send delegates to Stockholm while Germany occupies Allies' territory. Received Aug. 30, 7.45 p.m. London, Aug. 29. The Socialist Conference has concluded. The official report says that tho commission's report was supported generally by France, Britain, Italy, Portugal, and Russia, while South Africa,, Belgium and the French majority opposed. As unanimity was not reached, the report was merely recorded. Reutev Service. Received Aug. 30, 1.55 a.m. London, Aug. 30. Tho inter-Allied Conference decided to hold another Allied Conference in prcparation for tho Stockholm Conference. STANDARDISED SHIPS. THE FIRST DELIVERED. Received Aug. 30, 5.25 p.m. London, Aug. 30. The Daily Telegraph states that the shipbuilders have handed the Government, after satisfactory tests, tho first standardised ships of 8000 tons deadweight capacity. It was finished in five months. It, is a good type of cargo carrier, constructed in the quickest time and with the minimuui amount of material. Every large shipbuilder is constructing standardised ships of SOOD, 5000, or i>OUO tons. The hulls, machinerv, and engine- are Muudardised. anil tlie vessels an; equipped with fast loading and discharging gear. Some are specially designed for carrying grain. The crews' quarters are aft, steamheated, and with bathrooms. A NEW PARTY. SUPPORT FOR LLOYD-GEORGE. Received Aug. 30, 8.30 p.m. London, Aug. 20. The Central News states that most of the active supporters of Mr. Lloyd-George are forming a new party for the purpose of establishing a party machine fund to fight an election. it includes nomo of the wealthiest Liberals and Unionists. The party advocates the vigorous prosecution of'the war and extensive social reforms. Received Aug. 31, 1.16 a.m. London, Aug. 30. A numbei of Unionists, including Messrs Paget. Croft, Alan Buvgoyne', Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, and Mr. W. G. Jenkins have formed a new National Party, on the ground that old political associations are. obstacles to the work of post-war national reconstruction. This National Party apparently represents the Morning Post's ideas, but is not connected with the Lloyd-George party. ° DEVELOPING THE COLONIES. BIG COI/>XISATIQN SCHEME. r '~ Londort. Aug. 29, The Empire Resources Development Committee is considering a scheme for tile post-war distribution of population and tho promotion of colonisation by means of the selection, training, and financing of intendjng settlers by land banks. It considers tho State should receive a proportion of tho ultimate profits.

FOODSTUFFS PRICES. Received Aug. 30, 0.55.-p.m. London, Aug. 29. The Press Bureau announces that the' price for the quartern loaf will be ninepence after 17th September. Tho official Food Controller has fixed the following schedule for wholesale maximum dead ■meat prices, commencing on 3rd September:—lmported beef and veal, hinds 12] d, decreasing to 10* d in January, fores 10Jd to mutton and lamb, Mid f<r all months; pork, 12% d. The corresponding prices for home killed are: Beef and veal 13d to lid, mutton and: lamb 13d, pork 14%. The-retailer: is lowed a maximum additional 2Jd. SERIOUS DAMAGE TO CROPS. Received Aug. 30, 6.50 p.m. London, Aug. 29. Official agricultural reports reveal serious damage to crops. The harvest promised to be a. record a fc-w weeks ago, but the position is now entirely altered.. MINERS CLAIM FOR INCREASE. A. and N.Z. Caible A asm. and Router. London, August 29. The Press Bureau reports that the miners executive interviewed the Controller of coal mines and requested a 25 per cent increase in wages. The Controller promised to consult the Government, which is considering the application to-da.v.