MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 February 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

THE VERSAILLES COUNCIL. COLONEL REPINGTON'S CROAKINGS Received Feb. 10, 5.5' p.m. London, Feb. 8. Colonel Repington telegraphs to the Morning Post, from Paris, stating that the decisions of the Jnter-Allied War Council regarding the control of British troops in the field are reported to be of such a strange character that Parliament should demand the fullest details, order an immediate examination of the proposals, and obtain the opinions of our General Staff thereon. PRESS COMMENTS. A MOVE TO WEAKEN THE GOVERNMENT. Received Feb. 10, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb, 8. Critics of Mr. Lloyd George and the Government are utilising the disquieting rumors regarding centralisation at Versailles in order to weaken the coalition. The Globe says that Colonel Repington has evidently learned facts which have been jealously withheld from the House of Commons. The Star supports Colonel Repington's demand for the utmost publicity regarding the enlargement of the powers of the Versailles Council, and suggests that the Houses of Lords and Commons should act together in clearing up the intolerable mystery,'also that a joint committee of the two Houses ought to be appointed, whereon there should be no member of the Cabinet. The Star adds that it is asserted that Mr. Lloyd George will establish headquarters at Versailles and issue orders thence. The paper asks: Is this constitutional ? The Westminster Gazette considers a definite assurance should be given to Parliament regarding the limitations imposed on the Supreme War Council, and that the House of Commons must ascertain if the council's functions have been altered.

The Evening Standard chaft's the eccentric Colonel Repington with discovering another mare's nest, and. says it can state positively that what was done at Versailles had the sole object of increasing the fighting power and efficiency of /the Allied armies, and that when Parliament meets, Mr. Lloyd George will be willing to explain the matter. The Spectator asks Mr. Lloyd George, if he can do so, to declare his confidence in the military leaders, thus dispelling the suspicion that he prompted the recent, recess campaign against them.

RESTRICTED FOOD RATIONS. THE LATEST ORDER. .. Received Feb. 10, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 0. The Food Controller has decided that Is ,3d worth shall be the weekly ration of butcher's meat. He also allows the holders of meat cards to purchase other meats, including bacon, poultry, rabbits, and preserved meat equivalent to five ounces of uncooked butcher's meat. He has prohibited the use of oatmeal, flour and rolled oats for any purpose except human food.

UNION OF FREE NATIONS. AN ECCLESIASTICAL PROJECT. London, Feb. 8. The Convocation of Canterbury passed a resolution recommending the people of the Empire sympathetically to consider the formation of a union of free nations for the preservation of permanent peace. The Archbishop of Canterbury said the world would escape the horrors of war only when a change came to men's hearts and they abandoned ambitions founded on aggression and greed. THE MEAT RATIONING. Received Feb. 10,11.15 p.m. London, Feb. 9. The Food Minister's meat rationing scheme for London and the Homo counties was issued to-day. It provides for the use of meat cards, bearing four coupons each, whereof it enables the purchase during the week of fivepence worth of uncooked meat, alternatively with uncooked poultry, game and horseflesh, ranging from five to twelve and a half ounces, according to the description. Alternatively the scheme provides for three

ounces of boneless, four ounces of boney, uncooked ham, or, alternatively, six to eight ounces of uncooked sausages, according to the meat contents. Alternatively to any of the foregoing, in cooked or canned state, or as sandwiches or meat pies, between two and a half and four ounces. The public eating house keepers will collect the coupons in respect of the meals served. THE MAN-POWER SCHEME. QUESTION OF THE ENGINEERS. A PRACTICAL SUGGESTION. Received Feb. 10, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 0. Sir Auckland Geddes attended a manpower conference at Westminster, at which the Amalgamated Society of Engineers refused to be represented. Mr. Thomas, the railwaymen's representative, suggested a 'separate conference between the National Service Ministry and the Engineers' Society, but a very large majority of the conference rejected the proposal, and substituted a proposal to invite the Amalgamated Society of Engineers to meet the representatives of all the unions at a conference, which would not be attended by any Government officials. EMBARGO ON DUTCH CABLES RAISED. Aus. and NZ. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. Received Feb. 11, 1.30 a.m. London, Feb. 10. The Press Bureau states that the embargo on the Dutch cables has been .provUiooaUy raised.