MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 June 1918, Page 6

MOTHER COUNTRY.

EMIGRATION BILL. OBJECTS EXPLAINED, Received June 1, 5.5 p.m. London, May 31. Mr. W. S. A. Hewins (Under-Secretary for the Colonies), in moving the second reading of the Emigration Bill, said it would be important after the war to .regulate and direct the Empire's manpower movements, in order to secure the best possible result for the Empire as a whole, hence a Statutory Committee, including representatives of the overseas Dominions, was essential. Mr. Lief Jones objected to Government control. Mr. Kinloch Cooke congratulated the Government that it had at last an emigration policy. Mr. Hewins, replying, said the Bill did not give power to forbid, encourage, or discourage emigration. It simply controlled the machinery. The statutory body would have power to suggest that emigrants should choose some por> tion of the Empire. We wanted to encourage an Imperial policy and the upbuilding of the Empire. The Bill was read a second time. PRISONERS AND HOSPITAL SHIPS. London, May 31. Ministers stated in the House of Commons that the whole question of the treatment of prisoners, including employment behind the lines, will probably be discussed at the forthcoming Hague Confarence. Mr. Hope announced that the Government is considering the extension of the exchange to Turkey and Bulgaria. Questions relating to the powers and instructions given to the British delegation to the Hague will be raised in the House of Commons on Monday. Officers of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem have sent a letter to the German Order appealing to it to intervene with the Kaiser and the Government to prevent 'the sinking of hospital ships, the inhumane treatment of sick and wounded, and other breaches of the Geneva Convention. The letter says: "We regret to record our opinion that the German Government has not always acted in accordance with the ideals and laws of our Christian brotherhood."— Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. THE DOUBLE INCOME-TAX. London, May 31. Sir Charles Wade, in an article in the Nineteenth Century, emphasised that what originally was a matter of protest igainst the double income-tax.' has now been converted by the war into a real grievance. The double war tax was oppressive to individuals, and also interfered with the development of Imperial resources. The increase in the Australian tax, combined with the increase in the British tax, compelled those subjected to the double tax to pay 12s 3d to 12s 6d in the £. Sir Charles Wade urges, in view of the prolongation of the war, that the British iParliament should re-open the question immediately.—Aus. NtZ. Cable Assoc. FEDERALISENG THE CONSTITUTION

London, May 31. The Daily Chronicle states that the Government is probably appointing a Royal Commission to consider the federilisation of the British Constitution.Aua. N.Z. Cable Assoc.