MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 June 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

SHIPS AND THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY. | AFTER THE WAS, P,UN3piMENT OP GERMANY IX® HER SEA CRUMBS. Received June 21, 8.13 pjn, London, June 20. The report of the Committee appointed. to consider the .position of shipping and shipbuilding industries after the war declares it will be necessary to make the restoration of the mercantile marine a first charge on the national resources. The recommendations include the removal from Government control of all shipping. Vessels still required for Government jyirpos<£3 should be chartered at market rates, jyid any advantage en* joyed by foreign shippers regarding the fates should cease at the termination o£ the war, if not earlier. Immediate steps should Ibe taken to Ijing the rates paid by the Government to British shipowners to a level ensuring a reasonable return on vessels built at present prices. The report proceeds:—"No peace will be satisfactory which does not enforce the surrender of enemy shipping and drastic and exemplary punishment for enemy crimes at sea The enemy countries should be required to surrender to the Allies all their merchantmen and shipping, whether in enemy or neutral ports, at the close of hostilities, and forfeit all ships laid up since the outbreak of war in ports of countries whicli have (become involved in the war or broken off diplomatic relations with them, and to restore to the Allies all the allied shipping in their possession. The shipping thus taken from the enemy should be utilised as far as possible to assist in demobilisation and to release for trade purposes the allied shipping absorbed by transport work. When demobilisation is completed, all unsold enemy ships should bo auctioned by the various countries, the proceeds being treated as part of a common war indemnity paid bv the enemy countries. Provided this is possible, we think a scheme of distribution which would secure the allocation of enemy tonnage among the Allies, in some rough proportion to sustained foy the individual' Allied countries would offer many advantages. Otherwise the enemy vessels should ba sold at auction to the various countries' representatives in the Allies' interests The conditions of sale should prevent the re-transfer of vessels to the enemy States." The report concludes:—Regarding coasting and inter-Imperial trade, the Committee recommends a strict application to foreign ships calling at British ports Of all safety and health requirements imposed on British ships. The Committee dtoubts the expediency of the exclusion of foreign flags, from the coasting or inter-Imperial trades, but does support the Dominions' Royal Commission's recommendation of subsidised mail services, and mail siibsidies being subjected to certain freight conditions.— Reuter. FOOD SUPPLIES. BRITAIN MUST BE MDEIPENDENT. Received June 21, 8.16 p.m■London, June 20. The report of the Committee appointed by the Ministry of Reconstruction recommended methods of increasing tho home-grown food supplies- The report states that in a future crisis like the present Britain must be independent of overseas supplies of corn, potatoes, and dairy produce, and recommends a minimum wage for agricultural laJborern, minimum prices for wheat and oats to bo guaranteed. Government assistance for tlhe establishment of tire sugar beet industry, and the continuance of the pre.sent surtax for ten years. EXCLUDING ENEMY SHIPS. Received June 21, 9.45 pjn. London, Jrcna 20. In the House of Commons, Mr. Bnoar Law said tihe Government was in constant communication with the Allies on the subject of excluding German ships and goods from the Allies' ports for a stipulated period after the war. He added tnat the luxury taac would be equalised by the import duties. THE COLONIAL 'STATESMENReceived June 21, 8.15 pm. London, June 20. Sir Robert Borden, Mr. Hughes, and General Smuts had a long conference today. The Empire Parliamentary Association has organised a notable gathering of the House of Lords on the 21st, at which thirteen Prime three Premiers past and present, will be guests at a -supper. These include Mr. Hughes, Mr. Massev, Sir ' Joseph Ward, Mr. Fisher, Mr" Cook, Sir George Reid, Sir Thomas Mackenzie, and three Canadian Premiers. Lord Rosstoery will be absent. Lord Farquhar, 'Lord Steward, entertained the Dominion delegates at dinner. The guests included Lord CurZon, Mr. Balfour, Mr. Austin Chamberlain, Mr. and Mr 3. Long, and Lord Robert Cecil. Mr. Cook, commenting on the complaints of certain Australian newspapers, said the stay of Mr. Hughes and himself in America wag necessary, as it concerned matters relating to the war and affecting- Australian interests- Mr. Oook added that Australia was suffering materially by not having direct representation in America while Canada and other parts of the Empire were adequately represented there to their great advantage. ""He 'believed Australia should have an able and adequate staff in America, certainly during the war, an<s probaibly for all time.—Press Assoc. 'FRES3OH RED GROSS DAY. Received June 22, 1.30 a.m. London, June 20. Trafalgar Square was transformed into a huge flower show in aid of the French Red Cross. The choice blooms realised fancy prices.

A LEAGUE OF NATIONS. MILITARISM THE WORLD'S DEADLY ENEMY. INWiENTIONS AND SCIENCE. MORE TERRIBLE AMD DESTRUCTIVE TO HUMAN LIFE. Received June 21, 11.65 p.m. London, June 20. Viscount Grey's ,pamphlet explains some essentials of the League of Natir ;. The first condition that must ba adopted is earnestness and conviction by the executive's head. He states that this condition is present as regards the United States and is, or will be, as regards all the Allies, while among the enemies the Austrian public had shown a disposition to aocept the proposal and would probalbly welcome it genuinely, though secretly, a s a safeguard not only against old enemies but against Prussian domination. Small States, both belligerent and neutral, must, he thinks, naturally join the league as a safeguard against aggression. As regards Germany, she will have to be convinced that force does not pay and the policy of her military leaders will inflict upon her intolerable sufferings. Until she feels this League of Nations in the sense intended ■by President Wilson, it is impossible that Such a league must include Germany. The second condition is that Governments and peoples willing to found a league must understand clearly that it will impose limitations on the national action upon each. It may entail inconvenient obligations. Stronger nations must forego their right to make their interests prevail against the weaker. If any nation refuse to observe this limitation and rejects peaceful methods and resorts to force, other nations must use the combined economic or military and naval forces against it. Viscount Grey emphasised that sciences and inventions of war were getting more terrible and destructive, and asks: What i s it t<J be 20 years hence if the researches of science are devoted to discoveries for destroying human life? Even the Germans are not Mind to this, but their ruler 3 propose to avoid future wars by establishing domination for evqr, but peace will never thus be Secured! The idea is impracticable, unfair and abhorrent.

Viscount Grey expresses the opinion that the establishment of a League of Nations is more important to secure peace than any actual terms that may conclude the present war, for the best teriM are of little value unless the future relations of the States are based on something to prevent a recurrence of militarism. The United States and the Allies cannot save the world from militarism unless Germany will learn the lesson thoroughly and completely, and they will not save the world—even themselves—toy complete victory over Garmany until they, too, have learned and cam apply the lesson that militarism has (become a deadly enemy to mankind. TOPIC, OF THE BDiCJ®. Received June 21, 9-45 p.m. London, June 20. Viscount Grey's League of Nations' pamphlet is one of the hour's topics. Newspapers attach importance thereto, and comment is generally favorable-