MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

COST OF THE WAR. iUDGET ESTIMATES EXCEEDED. LOANS IMPERATIVE. London, Dec. 12. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law, in moving the vote of credit for 650 millions, estimated that the 400 million* voted on October 30 would cover the expenditure until January 9. The new vote would bring the total for the year to 2460 million*. The average daily expenditure for the 63 days preceding December 1 was £6,694,000, exceeding the Budget estimate by £1,383,000 daily. Reecived Dec. 13, 10.50 p.m. London, Dec. 12. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law, in moving the credit vote, said it would be added to if the war lasted till best financial "year. He hoped it would be possible to- remove some of the taxation when, peace came. Any attempt to pay the whole cost of the war by taxation or a levy on capital would break down the country's finance. CAUSE OF INCREASE. QUESTION OF RUSSIA'S DEBTS. fAITH TX THEIR RECOVERY. Reuter Service. Received Dec. 13, 10.45 p.m. , London, Dec. 13. Mr. Bonar Law, continuing, said the total escate of expenditure over the budget estimate was 300 millions, but 225 millions thereof was recoverable. Therefore, the excess of the daily expenditure, was ,£350,000. The .cause of the increased army ex-penditure-was the increase in the aviation pTogramait, the large number of Indian troops employed in Mesopotamia, and the advances of the armies in France and Palestine.' The estimated advances to the Dominions had not been exceeded. ' Referring to Russia, Mr. Bonar Law «aid that HO; State had ever entirely repudiated ift debts. Be believed a reuponMbte Government would ultimately bf established in' Russia. and, sooner or 4&ter, these debts wwild be reroverable. v THE VOTE PASSED.

Received Deo. 13, 11.45 p.m. | .| : London, lies. 13. Tie vote of credit was carried. THE FOOD PROBLEM. BESTRJCTION ON SALE OF MEAT, j ■ London, Dec. 12. > Official: Lord Rhondda has restricted the retail «alc of meat for the four week? | ending January IS to the amount corrcfponding to the sales for the four weeks prior to October 27. The Lord Mayor of Birmingham is submitting to Lord ITbondda a "chcine for i rationing the city by the card system, £htH avoiding queues POST-WAR RELATIONS. AON-FERB.OUS METALS BILL. London, Dec. 12. . In the Ttoiise of Commons the NonFerious Metal* J!ill was read the second time by 182 votc.i to Tfl. Sir. Rurreiman declared that the Bill ww unworthy of the British nation. Tlie flovermncnt should also consider how far It conflicted with President Wilson's economic po]i<t. Mr Bonar Law declared that the Bill «** ha«ed on the Paris Conference resomtion* ,He denied that it would interfile to any extent with trade, and he re- " Iterated that flc must stop German penetration It »a- essential to let our ene- ' mies know 11 at 'we realised the powers *<■ had, and when the time came should not he=iitntt to ti«e them, it was perfectly plain that many members of the House thought it would lie the right thing aft"r the wsj* to deal with Germany precisely /as in the past Cries of "Never!" Mr. Bonar Law added that the Rill ' nttilv raised an issue of policy. Members had to decide whether they meant to make ft change in Britain's relations •with Germany after the war* ' EXTENSION OF BRISTOL'S DOCKS. London, Dec. 12. City Council is expending USIJUBJHO t* tmtott&uii the Avonmoutli i < -

docks, owing to tho growth of the business of the port. (Bristol, though an ancient port, is approached by a winding tidal river, the Avon, which is unsuitable for large steamers, so most of them are now dpeked at Avonmouth, ten miles from the ejjfey.) COLD STORAGE AT ( SOUTHERN PORTS. THE NEED EMPHASISED. MR. F M. B. FISHER ON IMPERIAL TRADE. Received Dec. 13, 9.30 p.m. London, Dec. 13. Hon. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, High Commissioner, speaking at the Society of Arts, said it was imperative, in the interests of Britain and the Dominions, that cold storage and distribution facilities should, be provided at the southern and western ports without delay, so as to prevent further losses of ships with food cargoes which reached England. Sir E. Carson presided. Mr. V. at. B. Fisher, a New Zealander, read a paper at the Colonial Institute, on Imperial Trade, advocating the exclusion of aliens from all political privileges, only British bom subjects being permitted to enter the judiciary, Crown offices, consular services, and Stock Exchange. He urged that a common fixed policy should be used to scientifically develop industry and production. BUTTER IMPORT LICENSES REVOKED Ans. and N.Z. Cable arid Reuter. Received Dec. 13, 9.20 p.m. | London, Dec. 13. Official: T|e general license to import 1 butter has Been revoked, hut eonsign- | ments en route before December 13 will be importable without special licenses.