MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 July 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

f MOTHERLAND'S PREFERENCE. SOS INFERIOR TO THAT. OF THE >S DOMINIONS. Received- July 30, 10i3-p.nL London, July 29Tbwe is reason to believe that the' tathttknd's preferential treatment within the Empire will not be inferior to the maximum preference already conceded her by any of the Dominions.— ?ma Aiioc.

DOMINIONS CONFERENCE. DISCUSSES QUESTIONS OF COMMON INTEREST. Received July 30, 11 p.m. London, July 30. The Dominions' representatives held a confidential conference, convened by Sir Robert Borden, and discussed questions of common interest, including naval defence and channels of canummication with the Imperial Government.—Times Service.

EMPIRE'S RAW MATERIALS. AN DIFORTANT MOVE. Received July 30, 850 pjm. London,. July 29. It is understood that tie Imperial Coafereuce's discussion on Qnpire shippi»{ eomjmmieatkmi was based on Mr. Iluwy's resolution. It is believed that after the Investigation Board has completed its enquiries they will resnlt in ''litter and more regular shipments of the Empire's raw materials to various markets, also that they will place on. a parity the more distant outposts with those more fortunately situated geographically to the chief markets, and will possibly mean State assistance.— Press Assoc/

MUNITIONS STRIKE ENDED. London, July 29. The Birmingham strike has Atu. N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Renter.. The Coventry striken have accepted the proposal of the Trade Union Advisory Committee and are resuming work forthwith.—Reuter. Mr. Churchill announced that the Brr■tinghaa munition workers had subttantiaSy resumed work, and there was a ooDiidmbls ruumption of work, at Coventry. He hoped the action of time principal centres would prevent s further cetaation elsewhere, especially at Woolwieb.—Reuter.

WORK GENERALLY RESUMED. Received July 30, &50 p.m. . Losdon, July 29. The Press Bureau states that tha Minister for Munitions announces that work generally will be resumed at Birmingham and Coventry. He is immediately appointing a committea of inquiry.—Aus. NX Cable Amoc. mm Renter. -!• Received July 30, 1055 pjn. London, July 29. Tea thotuand nsnrtkm makers attended a aiu meeting -it 6ot«ntrf «nd decided upoa resumption, provided the call-, up notices are *fthra.wn. They Insist, on noVietimisattoifj iMri that fee committee of inquiry Shall sit forHrwffli,' ffc* liaeoln munition worker*' a large majority decided agriatt the atrike.—Presa Assoc.

Recieved Jqly 31, 115 soil .. London, July 30.. After as iaterifew with Major Seeley, the Woohridi Ancnal shop steward* rewived to remain at Wtatk.—Press Association.

KOT FATAL TO LBAOCE OFHAHQKS B«fnJ July 90, 9.40 p.m. Lowfon, Jaly 29. It tks House of Onnams, Mr. Banar Law denied tkai Imperial pnslereuee would "ba fatal to the league ofFsatians. The fWt disenssion «u not complete. H* MClrt rt to publish the term* of the CkUMtfc resolution* later, when a general statement would ba made.—Press AllOs.

UK. MASSEY AT WACTON". | Bacahrad July 30, 850 p.m. A London, July 29. jtir. ICaalcy visited Walton Hospital aajl amtntad * number of military IMdas to meritorious service, and ywiwul gm —n a>

THE JONAS CASE. ACCUSED FOUND- GUILTY. Received July 30, 7.40 p.m. London, July 29. ; Sir Joseph Jonas, ex-Lord Mayor of Sheffield, was found guilty of misdemeanour and fined £2OOO, while the second defendant, Vernon, wa3 fined £IOOO. (Defendants were ordered to pay the costs jointly.—Reuter.

The first hearing in- connection with this case waa on June 13, when Sir Joseph Jonas, ex-Lord Mayor of Sheffield, was charged at Bow Street that, on variona dates between September 1, 1913, and June 10, 1918, he had conspired with Charles Vernon and others to contravene the Official Secrets Act by obtaining and communicating for yurposes prejudicial to the State, information useful to the enemy. Vernon is the son of a naturalised German named Tfcl™, who was connected with Sir Joseph Jonas'a firm until 1917. Vernon changed his name after the outbreak of war. At a subsequent hearing, Air. Muir, the prosecuting counsel, said the police had found documents showing that Sir Joseph Jonas was corresponding with one Herr von Gonthard, of Berlin, who was connected with a German armament firm. Be was cdfresponding with one Herr von Zieschang, who was Eng-lish-horn, but of German parents, and foreman of Yiekers's works at Crayford, where Viekers were establishing a large plant for the manufacture of a new rifle. Vernon, in April, 1913, informed Sir ■Joseph Jonas that certain German works hoped to supply small arms to the British Government on a large scale. Sir I Joseph Jonas, in November, 1913, instructed Vernon to ascertain details of the Viekers rifle and the plant's capacity. . This request obviously arose from Herr ! von Gonthard's letters two days earlier, requesting Sir Josephs Jonas to obtain this information.

IUPEBIAIi PREFERENCE QUESTION. London, July 29. In the. House of Commons, Mr. Bonar Law; replying to questions, said that there would bo no opportunity of carrying out' the policy of Imperial preference in war time, but the Imperial Government would put itself in line with the Dominion Governments by accepting the principle. The Government had no man-•date-to'commit itself.—Reuter.