MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 March 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

BRITISH WAR CABINET. HISTORY FOR 1917. London, March 13. The history of the War Cabinet fo» 1017 has been issued to-day. It forms an important historical record and also shows the tremendouß labors and achievements of the Government. It emphasises that the whole character of the war gradually changed during last yew, involving a complete transformation of British administration and organisation.

Regarding submarinism trie document frankly admits that if the enemy hart been able to maintain the rate of sinking reached in February 1917, the military operations of the Allies would have largely been paralysed. The nfvy had however triumphed. The document contains much to give confidence that the worn has Ion" since passed. The document deals fully with Imperial affairs, the Imperial War Cabinet, War Conference and the constitutioinl development of India.

FUTURE OF SPITZBERGEN. PROTECTION OF BRITISH INTERESTS. London, March 13. The Royal Geographical Society passed a resolution to be forwarded to },"r. Balfour, pointing out the iuportance ot safeguarding British interests ir. Spitsbergen and the extensive deposits of steam eoah It says that British subjects already possess large interests. Mr. Balfour replied that the question of Spitsbergen must be discussed with several foreign governments, but British interests will be borne in mind. THE SHIPBUILDING QUESTION AN APPEAL TO THE lIOUSE. London,. March 13. In the House of Commons Dr. T. J. MeNamara, Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, appealed to the House not to support the idea of taking shipbuilding out of the Admiralty's hands. It would be a fatal mistake to put the matter back into the melting pot and the dislocation and delav . would be grave. He appealed to all to do their utmost.

He announced the reorganisation of the Shipbuilding Department, General C'ollard will take charge of the national shipyards and Sir Thomas Bell is director., Mr. John Brown has charge of ship repairs and the construction of auxiliary ohips for .the navy, and Mr. James Lithgow deals with merchant ship construction in private yards.

Shipbuilding employers and shipyard woikers issued a joint statement after to-day's conference with the view of shoving their realisation of the serious shipping position.

They state that on January 2, the Premier, replying to their deputation, announce! that the various shipbuilding donartments would be co-ordinated.

A joint reply was sent advocating the unification of the departments and asking that the joint committee of masters and men should he consulted before action was taken affecting the industry senerally. This request has not yet been heeded.

The statement concludes by expressing the belief that construction would have been speeded if the joint recommendations had been adopted and offering loyal support in order to secure the largest output of ships.

THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS. AS THE KAISER REGARDS IT. REALISATION OP ALLIES' WAR ALMS ESSENTIAL. Received March 15, 12.5 p.m. London, March 14. Mr. Lloyd George, speaking at tho Free Church conference at the City Temple, replied to criticisms contained in some speeches, notably the charge that the Government did not attach sufficient importance to the League of Nations. The Premier declared that the league will not be obtained by calling for it. The Bolsheviki thought it could, and allowed the army to be disorganised, with the result that they lost half their own nation. There was no warmer advocate of the League of Nations than the Kaiser, but his idea was a league headed by Germany. Unless the Allies' war aims were realised, leagues of nations would be shams, but if" the ideals were realised n league would be, an established fact. The Premier deprecated harassing criticisms. The Government asked for fair play.

CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL,

FURTHER RESTRICTIONS. Received Mareli 14, 8.5 p.m. London, March 13. , In the House of Commons, the Chancellor of the Exchequer stated that the consumption of alcohol in 1917 had declined by 38 per cent, compared with lOlfi, but the expenditure thereon was 20 per cent, higher than in 1914, when, the outlay on alcoholic liquors was 164 million compared with 250 million last year. Six hundred thousand ton ll , of ■barley and 65,000 tons of sugar were used in brewing in 1017. The barley would have given 268,000,000 quartern loaves.

Mr. J. R. Clynes (secretary for the Food Controller) announced there would be further restrictions on imports of beer-making materials, but the working men had made big sacrifices and the Government was not going to ask them to make further sacrifices at present.

FURTHER HONORS FOR NEW ZfiALANDERS. London, March 13. A. bar to Military Medals has been awarded to the following New Zpalan/U ers: Sergeant H. M. Hopper (Machinegunner), F. W. Maindonald (Artillerv). J. H. Wilson, Corporal L. R. Sands. Private- C. Gilbert (Infantry). y'Pnrv Medals have been awarded to 43 New Zealanderr